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Healthy Mouth, Happy Smile

January 12, 2022 Infant

With those chubby little cheeks and tiny button nose, there’s nothing that can light up a room quite like a baby’s smile. That gummy little grin will soon start to sprout teeth, but caring for a baby’s smile starts well before the first tooth arrives. As a parent, your baby’s happy, healthy smile starts with you!

Caring for Your Baby’s Mouth

Keeping your baby’s mouth clean, even before the first tooth appears, will help keep your baby’s mouth healthy.

  • Use a clean, damp washcloth or soft baby toothbrush to clean your baby’s gums after every feeding, or at least twice a day, and then again right before bedtime.
  • After the first tooth comes in, use a soft toothbrush and water to clean your baby’s teeth twice a day.
  • Babies under 1 year of age do not need to use toothpaste.

Baby’s First Tooth

Many parents wonder when their babies’ teeth will come in, and some even start to worry if their baby hasn’t cut a tooth by a certain age. All babies begin teething at different times, but in general, babies usually get their first tooth around 6 months and usually have all 20 “baby teeth” by the time they’re 2½ years old. If your baby seems to be drooling more and acting a little fussier than usual, it may be a sign the first tooth is on the way!

Teething

The truth is, teething isn’t much fun for anyone. It can be a painful process for babies and exhausting for parents. Just remember, it’s not forever!

Common symptoms of teething can include:

  • Drooling (which can sometimes lead to a facial rash)
  • Gum swelling and sensitivity
  • Fussiness
  • Refusing to eat or nurse
  • Waking up at night
  • Ear rubbing

Here are a few things that can help with your baby’s discomfort:

  • Chewing
  • To help soothe your baby’s gums, offer a clean, chilled teething ring, washcloth, or pacifier for your baby to chew on. Freezing cold temperatures can hurt little gums, so chill items in the refrigerator, not the freezer.
  • Teething babies will chew on just about anything, so be sure to keep anything that shouldn’t be in your baby’s mouth out of your baby’s reach!
  • Rubbing
  • Use your clean finger, or a chilled, wet washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gums.
  • Medicine
  • If chewing or rubbing doesn’t seem to be helping, talk with your baby’s doctor about teething pain relief medication.
  • Always talk to your baby’s doctor before offering any medications or treatments. This includes any of those “homemade remedies” you may have heard about from friends, family, or online.

Baby Teeth Matter!

Your baby needs healthy baby teeth in order to chew food and learn how to talk. Taking good care of baby teeth can also help adult teeth come in straighter.

Not taking care of baby teeth can lead to tooth decay, a dental problem that can harm your child’s teeth and cause cavities. It can be painful for your child, and if left untreated, can cost a lot of money to fix.

Here’s how you can help prevent tooth decay and keep your baby’s mouth healthy:

  • Keep Your Germs to Yourself
  • When you put things that have been in your mouth into your baby’s mouth (like food, cups, utensils, or pacifiers) you’re also sharing germs. These germs can lead to tooth decay. Many busy moms admit to “cleaning” a pacifier by blowing off the dirt and then giving it a quick “mouth rinse.” The thing is, this isn’t actually cleaning — it’s just spreading more germs! Take time to clean an item with water before offering it back to your baby and keep your baby‘s food and utensils separate from your own.
  • Win the Battle of the Bottle
  • Babies who fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth, or who sip on drinks from a bottle for long periods of time are more likely to suffer from tooth decay. Only offer a bottle during feedings, not at bedtime.
  • Make a Dentist Appointment
  • Take your baby to the dentist by their first birthday. At this first visit, your dentist can check your baby’s teeth and discuss ways to prevent tooth decay.
hand-expierence

HAND EXPRESSION

How it works

Use your hand to gently massage and compress your breast to remove milk.

What’s Involved

  • Requires practice, skill, and coordination.
  • Gets easier with practice and can be as fast as pumping.
  • Good if you are not often away from your baby or you need an option that is always with you. All moms should know how to hand express, in case they need to do it unexpectedly.

Average Cost

Free

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position