Top Teething Relief Tips for Babies
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If you’re reading this article…
…you’re most likely the caregiver of a baby who is experiencing some symptoms that may be related to baby teething issues - and you’re probably looking for help finding baby teething tips and safe ways to provide your teething baby with some relief.
If I had to guess, you are most likely also tired and cranky yourself, which makes perfect sense! Dealing with a teething baby can be hard on parents too…and for that I recommend a long walk, a hot bath, a break from the kiddos, a glass of wine? (Ha, just kidding - but stress relief comes in different forms for different folks, so apply some self-care that helps you get into a better mindset as best you can during your baby’s teething phases.)
All joking aside, I know how you feel. I have been there with 3 teething babies of my own. Somehow, it always seems like teething issues hit right when babies have finally started settling into a dependable routine. Bedtime is solid, naps are on point, and you start feeling confident, only to suddenly find yourself desperately in need of some baby teething remedies.
The good news about baby teething is that while it can be tricky to navigate, teeth do eventually break through and the pain and discomfort pass.
Safe and simple baby teething remedies that are recommended by pediatric dentists…
(many of which I used for my girls too!)
Freeze a silicone toothbrush*, silicone (gel-free) teething ring* or toy, or even a clean silicone cooking utensil from the kitchen. Hand it to your baby for chewing and mouthing, or gently hold it to the gums to help ease the pain. Chomping down on the harder surface offers counter pressure that is soothing on sore gums while the cool temperatures provide teething relief.
Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger. You may be surprised to feel little bumps forming beneath the gum line as you gently rub your baby’s gums. These bumps are just the tips of little baby teeth making their way up, soon to erupt.
Make your baby some breast milk or formula popsicles! These baby feeders* make great popsicle molds for infants. Feel free to puree in some fruits and veggies for added flavor and nutrients before freezing. Pureed avocado and breast milk makes a particularly nutritious, soothing, creamy popsicle.
For all my baby-led weaning lovers out there, you may already know this wonderful trick. If your baby starts teething but has not yet had a tooth erupt, try handing over a large cucumber with the peel removed from the top half, or a cold, large, peeled carrot. Not only do these foods provide the counter pressure babies are craving while teething, they also expose babies to new flavors and textures in forms that are too hard to break off into small pieces that would increase risk of choking. If you’re unsure on how to serve these veggies safely to your baby, check out my online course for guidance.
Another simple, yet effective teething tip is to stay on top of the drool. A baby’s lips, chin, and cheeks can easily get chapped from teething-related drooling and excess saliva. It’s a good idea whenever possible to keep the mouth, lips, chin and cheeks as dry and protected as possible during teething, especially during the colder months. Applying a thin layer of an ointment like Aquaphor* can help protect the skin even further.
An example of a little 10-month old fabulous fellow teething! Much appreciation to his parents for allowing permission to share.
When my first child was an infant and I found myself in need of baby teething help, I was surprised to learn that many teething relief remedies, and teething signs and symptoms were not evidence-based or scientifically proven.
Here are some popular myths & misconceptions about baby teething that may surprise you:
Fevers of 100.4° F and above as well as diarrhea and rash are not routinely associated with teething. If your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, lob in a call to your pediatrician.
Most experts recommend against the use of numbing gels that contain benzocaine. Benzocaine along with other homeopathic numbing agents are not safe for babies and most likely ineffective anyway.
The use of amber teething necklaces as a popular teething relief remedy is not recommended and downright dangerous. There is no evidence that amber necklaces provide relief from symptoms of teething. Not only are amber beads a choking hazard for babies, amber necklaces put babies at risk for strangulation and should never be left on a baby. Recommendations like these show how truly important it is to get your health information from board certified professionals and evidence-based resources!
If you are concerned that your baby is still in pain and experiencing teething symptoms and none of the baby teething remedies are providing relief, talk to your pediatrician who may recommend some over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or Tylenol, and if so, what dosage to use for your baby.
Navigating parenthood is complicated! It’s hard to see your baby experiencing discomfort as a result of teething issues, so be prepared with some safe, soothing remedies as best you can, knowing that this stage will pass.
And just remember -- when it’s late at night, you’re tired and up soothing your teething little one to sleep, and those itty bitty teeth just don’t seem to want to poke through -- that teeth pave the way for growth, meals together, and best of all, that toothy little smile we cherish so deeply. It’s all worth it, I promise!
If you’re getting ready to start your baby on solids, download my FREE Baby-Led Feeding Essential Checklist to make sure you have everything you need to get started. You might also want to check out my new online course for parents, based on my best-selling book which will walk you through the whole process of starting solids using a baby-led approach.
Alternatively, if your baby is almost ready to start solids and you’re looking for someone you trust to map out the entire first 12 weeks of your baby’s solid food feeding journey, check out my Safe & Simple 12 Week Meal Plan. Over 30 recipes, weekly shopping lists, tons of balanced baby meals, a complete plan for top allergen introduction, & lots of guidance (with photos) on how to safely serve each food.