Green Teething: Keep it Simple

Last month we noticed Goose started to chew on her hands more aggressively than usual.  I suspected teeth may be on the way, but since she was a preemie we thought five months (her adjusted three months) was kind of early for her to actually be teething.  But, lo and behold, at her six-month well baby appointment a few weeks ago, her nurse said the two bottom teeth had actually popped through.  They were hard to spot at first, but she now has two little pearlies sprouting out of her bottom gums.  What is with this kid - in such a hurry to grow up!

Since I wasn't ready to be in teething mode when the first two popped through, I didn't have all the teething gadgets I had planned to buy.  I hoped to have all sorts of gel coolies and mesh fruit teethers to help her get through the pain pleasantly.  But instead, all I had were these:

The things is: I think this is all we really need.

Her go-to for chewing has always been Sophie by Vulli. Sophie is the ultimate teething toy.  Goose has options - she can chew Sophie's face off, or gnaw on a leg, or if she's feeling really spunky, she can lay into Sophie's neck.  Here is Sophie's one and only eensy-weensy flaw: she squeaks.  Every time you put pressure on her abdomen, she squeaks.  SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKS SQUEAKSSQUEAKSSQUEAKS.

Sometimes quiet is good.  So, when I'm at the end of my squeak rope, I switch out one giraffe for another and give Goose a Giraffe Lovie by MiYim  to gnaw on.  Goose really liked it when I dipped one of the knotted corners in ice water.  And in a pinch, I have given her a plain organic cotton wash cloth dipped in cold water to chew on, too.  

As for medicines, we skipped numbing gels (which don't work anyway) and the controversial teething homeopathics and stuck with the homeopathic drops Goose's pediatrician recommends: Camilia.  Each single-serving vial contains a few drops of tasty solution of various homeopathic remedies and Chamomile to relieve gum pain and irritability.  

Now that Goose is over six months old and eating solids, food can also serve as great teethers.  Like cold sticks of cucumber, pear, parboiled carrots (soft enough to not be a choke hazard) and bell peppers.  

I was fully prepared to buy a bunch of teething doo-dads, but after fairing very well through the first round with what we already have, I don't think we need to.  As long as we have plenty of clean and safe items for Goose to chew on and an ample supply of Camilia drops, I think we're set!