grow ready, set

story by | sheri kleinsasser stockmoe

A simple smile can express a million words and emotions. Happiness, confidence, humor and trust can all be revealed with a pearly white smile. Here are some facts, tips and general info to help create that perfect smile for our kids as they grow.

Your wee one grows so fast. What begins as a coo or a smile soon turns into a drooling mess, eyeing everything from an old shoe to the leg on the kitchen table to gnaw on. Soon that toothless smile is filled with razor sharp chompers.

wee ones (0–18 months)

Another Milestone

Your wee one’s first tooth will typically appear between 4 and 7 months, but, there are exceptions and you could see that first tooth sooner or later. Regardless of when they come in, teething can be a painful experience for your wee one and you! Red cheeks, swollen and tender open march 2nd gums, problems sleeping and a crabby, crabby, crabby wee one are signs of teeth coming in. Here are some things you can do to take the edge off of teething:

• Your wee one finds relief in gnawing on anything and everything, so make sure he has some safe options in the form of toys and teething rings.

• A chilled teething ring (not frozen as it could frostbite lips and gums) or massaging with a cold washcloth can help soothe those tender gums. If your wee one is eating solid foods, cold apple sauce or yogurt can also offer relief.

• A pain reliever such as infant’s acetaminophen (never give your wee one aspirin) or a topical pain reliever that is rubbed on the gums can bring teething relief. Be sure to discuss your options with your doctor, and if you decide to use pain relievers, follow the directions.

Fargo’s Premier Infant Only Center

· Enrolling 6 months – 24 months

· Secured entrance & security cameras running 24 hours throughout center

· One-on-one attention, as well as age appropriate group discovery activities

· Individualized developmental plans emphasizing each child’s physical, social, emotional & intellectual development

· Tailored feeding and sleeping schedules

brusha, brusha, brusha…

Yes, they are going to fall out, but it’s important to keep those baby teeth healthy. They help your wee one to learn how to speak properly, as well as maintain proper spacing and alignment so there is enough room when the permanent teeth come in. The American Dental Association recommends cleaning your wee one’s gums after each feeding with a soft, wet cloth before they even have teeth. Once those teeth appear, start brushing them twice a day. This might not be your favorite thing to do because a wee one that doesn’t want you in their mouth has a jaw like a steal trap, but it is important and up to you to keep those teeth shiny.

Your sweet tot is full of sass, smiles and now teeth. They can experience new foods, have their cool Diego toothbrush, as well as test their new found weapons on an unsuspecting playmate.

tots (18 months –3

a little vampire in the making You are picking up little Suzy from daycare and you’re told that she bit little Mark. Yes, your sweet Suzy! And you pray Mark can’t tell his parents who left the puncture wounds on his little arm. Every parent hates to be a part of this scenario, but it is very common. Remember, your tot isn’t biting with the intention of hurting someone. Many times biting happens out of the inability to communicate. Young children can’t fully verbalize how they feel or what they want so they bite to express things such as frustration, excitement, boredom or anxiety. While we might not be able to determine exactly why a toddler bites, it’s up to you to help teach her that biting is a big No-No:

• Take care of the bitten. Don’t put the attention on the biter. Comfort the victim, including yourself.

• Stern & to the point. Tell your tot that biting is not OK, “No, biting” or “We don’t bite.”

• Attention please! Take a look at what is happening in your tot’s world. A new sibling on the way, changes at home or moving to a new house are all reasons your tot might need some extra attention.

• Bite back? Everyone has heard, “bite her back, to show her how it feels,” but many experts don’t agree. Tots are all about themselves and they can’t put themselves in another’s shoes. And remember, it’s hard to tell your tot, “don’t bite,” when the next minute you’re biting them - talk about mixed signals! olds have cavities in their baby teeth. Your communicating preschooler can sound just like an adult. Although in many ways they grow up way too fast, preschoolers may need help leaving behind the old comforts of their first few years of life.