Navigating Sleep and Teething Challenges for Parents in Nigeria
Teething, a developmental milestone that marks the eruption of a baby's first teeth, can cause discomfort and disrupt sleep patterns. However, Nigerian parents can take several approaches to help their babies sleep well during this phase and relieve teething discomfort.
Soothing Sleep Aids and Routines
Creating a calming sleep environment is crucial. White noise or gentle lullabies can provide a soothing backdrop, signalling safety to the baby. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine helps babies feel secure despite the discomfort from teething.
Physical Comfort
Comforting the baby through cuddling, rocking, or gentle patting can help the baby fall asleep and stay asleep during teething discomfort. This care is similar to what is given when the baby is sick. For younger babies, a breathable, properly used swaddle can help them feel secure and reduce startle reflexes that can wake them up.
Teething Remedies
Offering a cold washcloth or teething ring, gently massaging the baby's gums, using a clean finger to apply light pressure on the sore gums, and providing safe teething toys can help provide comfort and relief during teething. Popular teething aids used in Nigeria include Piccan and Babyrex.
Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene during the teething phase is crucial to prevent dental problems and promote healthy teeth and gums. Ensuring proper oral hygiene by wiping the baby's gums and teeth after feeding is essential.
Safety Precautions
If the baby has nasal congestion from teething-related fussiness, slightly elevating the head during naps (e.g., in a carrier) may improve comfort. However, it is essential to maintain safe sleep practices and avoid unsafe positions like sleeping in swings unattended.
Parental Self-Care
Parents are encouraged to prioritise their rest and remain patient and flexible, understanding that sleep disturbances are temporary and part of developmental changes. Taking breaks, seeking support from family and friends, and engaging in activities that help relieve stress and recharge are essential for self-care.
By combining these strategies—comfort, consistent routines, appropriate teething aids, and safety precautions—Nigerian parents can effectively ease their babies’ teething discomfort and promote better sleep.
Other Considerations
- Teething can last for several months, with new teeth appearing periodically.
- Offering a teething toy or applying teething gel can provide relief during sleep training.
- Investing in teething toys made of safe materials, choosing teething toys that are the right size and shape for the baby's mouth, and checking teething toys regularly for signs of wear and tear or loose parts is important.
- Teething usually starts around 6 months of age, but it can begin as early as 3 months or as late as 1 year.
- Ensuring that the baby is well-hydrated throughout the day can help manage teething discomfort.
- Irritability and fussiness, excessive drooling, swollen gums, and a desire to bite or chew on objects are common signs of teething.
- Consulting with a pediatrician for appropriate dosage and guidance is essential when using over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Consulting a pediatric dentist for regular dental check-ups as the child gets older is essential.
- Reserving the use of medication for teething as a last resort, after trying other coping strategies.
- Making sure the child receives the necessary medical attention if they show signs of being unwell is important.
- Choosing a firm mattress, a well-fitted crib sheet, maintaining a comfortable temperature and humidity level, selecting suitable bedding and sleepwear, and eliminating distractions in the bedroom can help create a comfortable sleep environment.
In conclusion, understanding the signs of teething and implementing the strategies discussed can help Nigerian parents manage their babies' teething discomfort and promote better sleep. Prioritising self-care for parents during challenging phases like teething is vital for their mental and physical well-being. Always consult with a pediatrician for guidance and advice.
- Providing a safe and calming sleep environment can help babies feel secure and sleep well during teething, using white noise or gentle lullabies to signify safety.
- Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine is essential for babies, as it helps them feel secure and promotes better sleep, even during teething discomfort.
- Cuddling, rocking, or gently patting the baby can help them fall asleep and stay asleep during teething, similar to care given when the baby is sick.
- For younger babies, using a breathable, properly swaddled blanket can help reduce startle reflexes that may wake them up.
- Offering a cold washcloth or teething ring, massaging the gums, or applying light pressure can provide comfort and relief during teething.
- Using safe teething toys, such as Piccan and Babyrex, can also help alleviate teething discomfort.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene during the teething phase is crucial to prevent dental problems and promote healthy teeth and gums.
- Parents are encouraged to prioritize their rest and remain patient and flexible, seeking support from family and friends when needed, to help manage stress and recharge during challenging phases like teething.
