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It’s never fun having a teething infant in the house. Baby’s cranky, Mama’s stressed, and you both are probably sleep-deprived.
Thankfully, there are several teething tips you can try, including low-cost and natural options. Here are my favorite teething remedies:
Finger Massage
Using pressure inside baby’s mouth can help relieve pain in the same way we’d instinctively squeeze our fingers if they got trapped in the door. Try pressing down on baby’s gums with a clean finger or giving a little gum massage to soothe and distract.
It’s a useful trick to know when you’re out and about since it doesn’t need anything but you. Just have some tissues, a baby bib (or a cloth diaper) to catch all that drool!
Cool The Area
Applying something cold to your baby’s inflamed, sore gums can offer pain relief, especially when it’s combined with pressure. Let your babe chomp down on a clean washcloth, a cooling teething toy or even a metal spoon that’s been run under cold water.
A cold washcloth and a refrigerated cooling toy are plenty cold enough. Avoid using frozen washcloths or frozen teething rings since they can be harmful to your baby’s gums.
Cold foods like watermelon, applesauce and bananas can work in the same way (if you’ve introduced baby to soft foods). Obviously, it goes without saying that you need to keep an eye on your little one while feeding.
Although teething biscuits might help, some Moms don’t offer them because they are generally full of sugar and can contribute to tooth decay.
Teething Toys
Teething toys do the same thing and allow you to have your hands free. A plastic ring is the classic choice, but these days teething toys come in many different materials:
Silicone
These are man-made and can usually be thrown in the dishwasher to give them a really good clean. You can even use a teething/training spoon, it doesn’t have to be a dedicated toy.
Wooden
If you’re trying to avoid plastic, try good-quality wooden teethers. Even a honey dipper or wooden spoon can be a good option.
Natural rubber
Firm rubber toys can be great pain relievers, and they come in various useful shapes. They’re generally only wipe-clean though, so bear that in mind.
It’s a good idea to try a few different toys with your baby. The rings are easy for them to hold and bite down on with their front teeth.
But they might like another toy that can reach the back of the mouth and give some relief there.
You might find that some of baby’s normal toys with hit the spot. So, as long as there’s no choking hazard and the toy gets cleaned regularly, let them use those.
Teething Necklace
I’m not talking about the Baltic amber teething necklaces designed for babies to wear. The idea with those is that anti-inflammatory succinic acid is released from the stone and absorbed by Baby.
While amber teething necklaces are safe to use as instructed, it’s easy to forget to take them off every time your little one sleeps. So there’s a real risk of strangulation.
Instead, I mean silicone necklaces for Mom to wear. They’re a helpful distraction your baby can play with and chew on while sitting on your lap.
Silicone necklaces do the same job as teething toys, but they’re harder to lose! Plus, they’re a fun way to dress up your outfit.
Natural Remedies
Herbal Tea
If you’re into natural remedies, chamomile tea is an age-old solution for various baby ailments. Chamomile is generally considered safe for babies over six months old, but check with your health professional before using it.
Be sure to use tea bags and NOT loose-leaf tea. Let the tea cool to room temperature before spoon-feeding it to your baby. Start with small amounts to see how they react.
If you drink chamomile tea and breastfeed, your baby could receive some of the benefits through your breast milk, too.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are another natural teething remedy. With most essential oils, it’s best to wait until babies are older than six months of age to use them.
However, lavender and chamomile are considered safe for babies in the first stages of teething.
Always dilute essential oils with a vegetable carrier oil like grapeseed, and never apply them directly to the skin. Use your fingertips to apply the oil blend with a circular motion along baby’s jawline.
Be careful with the oils you use with your baby. Clove oil, for example, is commonly associated with alleviating dental pain. But it’s easy to use too much, so use caution.
If you’d prefer to use something you don’t need to mix yourself, there are various homoeopathic teething tablets and drops that come ready to use.
Check with your Pediatrician to make sure these homeopathic remedies are safe to use.
Teething Gel
Topical teething gels from the pharmacy aren’t proven to be effective, but some parents swear by them. They act as mild anaesthetic for baby’s tender gums.
Make sure to choose one that’s specifically formulated for babies. Avoid teething treatments that contain the ingredient Benzocaine. (Benzocaine is not suitable for babies under two years old.)
Soothe + Distract
When your baby’s in pain, whether they’re teething or suffering with gas, sometimes all they want is to be held.
Rock, massage, and cuddle your baby to soothe them. You can also play with baby to try and distract them.
Before a tooth comes through, the pain and discomfort seems to come in waves, so distraction may actually work.
Dealing With Your Teething Baby
Unfortunately, teething is going to happen from time to time. Hopefully some of these tips will help!
But if you feel that something’s not quite right with your baby, make an appointment with their doctor. Symptoms commonly associated with teething like diarrhea, runny nose, fever, and even coughing, can be caused by something else.
If your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, get them checked out to make sure.
Do you have any teething tips you find helpful? Please share by leaving a comment below.