My little one's been super cranky lately (poor thing 😩), and I'm torn between using teething gel or sticking with those chilled teething rings. Anyone tried both? Which worked better for your kiddos and why?
"My little one's been super cranky lately (poor thing 😩), and I'm torn between using teething gel or sticking with those chilled teething rings."
I completely understand your dilemma—teething can be quite challenging. From my experience, chilled teething rings provided more consistent relief for my kids. The cold sensation helps numb the gums naturally, and the chewing action also aids tooth eruption. Teething gels can offer temporary relief, but their effectiveness tends to wear off quickly. I'd suggest trying the rings first and reserving gels for particularly tough moments... every child responds differently though, so a bit of trial and error is inevitable.
"I'd suggest trying the rings first and reserving gels for particularly tough moments... every child responds differently though, so a bit of trial and error is inevitable."
Totally agree with this. My daughter was pretty picky during teething—she absolutely hated the gels (would make the funniest faces and spit it right out, lol). But chilled teething rings were a lifesaver for us. We even tried freezing damp washcloths, which she seemed to prefer sometimes over the actual rings. I think the texture helped soothe her gums better than smooth plastic.
Honestly though, every kiddo is different. My nephew, for example, did way better with gels because he didn't like holding cold things for long. So yeah, trial and error is definitely part of the process. Hang in there...it does get easier eventually!
Have you tried those silicone teethers with different textures on each side? My son wasn't into gels either—he'd clamp his mouth shut and just glare at me whenever I tried, haha. But he also didn't really like the hard plastic rings much. We ended up finding these silicone ones that had little bumps and ridges, and he loved chewing on those. I think the textures gave him something interesting to focus on besides the discomfort.
It's funny how each kid has their own preferences, isn't it? My friend's baby only wanted wooden teethers (which honestly surprised me at first). Anyway, you're definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by all the options out there. Teething can be rough...but you're doing great figuring out what works best for your little one. Hang in there—it really does pass quicker than it feels right now.
My granddaughter didn't like gels either, she'd fuss and spit them out. Those silicone teethers someone mentioned earlier worked better for her too. I was worried at first about choking hazards, but they're actually pretty sturdy. Still, I always kept an eye on her just in case. Teething's tough on everyone involved...glad those days are behind us now.
