If you notice that your child has started drooling, is more irritable, has swollen gums, is grabbing their ear, or is trying to suck and chew on everything, they may be teething. Teething can be extremely painful for you little one. This may cause them to reject food, and to sleep less. Consult with your health care practitioner before you try any new remedies for your child’s teething pain. Every child is different, and reacts differently to treatments.
15. Cold-Pressed Oils
Much of the irritation of teething doesn’t just occur inside the mouth. Your baby may experience irritation and chapping around the mouth, lips, and chin due to lots and lots of drool. Soothe face rashes by dabbing a mild emollient almond, coconut, or safflower oil (cold-pressed) to dry skin.
14. Vanilla Oil
Essential, edible oils infused with a calming concentrate, like real vanilla, will calm irritated gums and a fussy baby. Many times baby will get so upset over sore teeth that they will make themselves nauseous—which creates more anxiety. Vanilla will also pacify an upset tummy.
13. Cloves
You might think that cloves are only good in apple cider and mulled wine, but this natural spice is also able to soothe tooth-associated aches and pains. So rub a little clove oil (diluted with water or olive oil) on baby’s gums and nubby, new teeth to soothe restlessness and irritability.
12. Homeopathic Medicine
If you go to health food stores you can usually find single dose medicine for teething. These products usually have all natural ingredients, and can be given to babies (of a certain age) and toddlers that are experiencing pain from teething. As with any medicines, do your research, and talk to your doctor before administering any new medications to your child, even if they are homeopathic. Also make sure you read the label thoroughly, as the medicine might be suggested for babies of a certain age.
11. Breast Milk
Breast milk seems to be a bit of a cure all for many issues that babies face in the first stages of their development. Breastfeeding will help your child in that it is soothing, and will take their mind off the pain. However, there are also some home remedy ideas that can be made out of breast milk to help relieve your child’s feelings to discomfort. If you are able, pump some breast milk and put the milk in small popsicle molds. After freezing in the freezer, these treats are a healthy and effective way to soothe your child’s gums. If your child is not eating solids yet you can break of tiny chunks of the popsicle and rub it on their gums.
10. Baby Chew Toys
Having something to gnaw on might help take away some of the pain that your child is experiencing. Some suggest that natural wood toys are best for teething, while others believe soft squishy toys are good for helping your child with teething. There are also specific toys that you can buy for a teething child. Searching online will give you an idea of how many different options are out there. You can also buy teething necklaces that you can wear around your neck for your child to grab onto whenever they are feeling any pain.
9. Frozen Fruit or Vegetables
This is a good option if your child is eating solids, and likes the feeling of a hard food on their gums. You can take strawberries, bananas or grapes (depending on your child’s age) and put them in the freezer. After a while, you will have healthy, mini frozen treats for your child to chew on, which can reduce some of the swelling and inflammation that occurs with teething. If you don’t want your child having too much sugar, you can always freeze vegetables for them to gnaw on as well.
8. Chilled Soft Foods
If your child is not eating solid foods yet there are many different options available to you. Instead of freezing food, you can chill it in the refrigerator. If your child is eating applesauce, you can chill it the fridge for a while, and then serve it to them with a chilled spoon for extra relief. If your child is more into yogurt, you can do the same. Soft, easy to swallow foods might also feel better on your child’s gums.
7. Probiotics
Part of this remedy involves preventative measures to help combat teething. Some have found that giving your baby probiotics helps boost their immune system, which in turn helps with the outbreak of teething pain. At almost any health and wellness store you can find probiotics that are geared towards babies or toddlers. Consult with staff to see what might be best for your baby, and as always, consult with your doctor or pediatrician before introducing any new supplements into your child’s diet.
6. Pressure
Putting pressure on your child’s gums might help them with the throbbing pain that they are feeling. There are many different ways you can do this, with your finger, a toy, or even carefully with a chilled spoon. This also allows you to give your little one lots of snuggles and love while you are applying pressure to their gums. In addition to this, applying pressure to the gums might also distract your child from the pain, and help them focus on something else for a little while.
5. Natural Teething Biscuits
Teething biscuits can soothe gums, and also offer children the opportunity to try solid foods. You can buy teething biscuits at health food stores or markets that cater to foods for children. You can also do some research online, there are many different recipes out there to make your own teething biscuits. You can make them to suit whatever dietary restrictions you follow. You can find recipes for teething biscuits that have reduced or eliminated sugar, or recipes that use your child’s favourite fruit.
4. Cold Water and Ice
If your child is using a bottle still, you can fill a clean bottle with cold water, and even add ice cubes. If you have an older child, you can make sure their sippy cup has a constant supply of ice in it. This provides your child with a source of pain relief that they can use whenever they want, and gives them the autonomy to self medicate. If you want to make the drink more “fun” for your child you can always add coloured ice cubes, or make ice cubes out of their favourite juice.
3. Chilled Soothers
If your child uses a soother, this is a great way to help them relieve the pain in their mouth and gums. You can either put the soother in the fridge or freezer, until it has reached the perfect temperature. This is a great tool as well for nap time and bed time. Having something cool to suck on right before they drift off to sleep will help your child relax. Make sure you have some replacements ready in the freezer, as they will heat up to normal temperature fairly quickly in your child’s mouth.
2. Gum Massage
This is slightly different from simply applying pressure to your child’s gums, as the massaging motion is helping to relieve pain and tenderness that your child might be feeling. Make sure your hands have been thoroughly cleaned, and then take your finger or knuckle and gently rub their swollen gums in a massaging motion. If you don’t want to use your finger, you can also chill a clean toothbrush that has very soft bristles, and use it to massage along your child’s inflamed gums.
1. Frozen Washcloth
This might get your child a little wet and messy, but it is a great option if they want to hold something in their hands. If you take some clean washcloths and wet them, you can then place them in a plastic bag in the freezer for a while. Once it has frozen, take it out and place it on your child’s gums if they can’t hold it themselves. If you are going to hold the washcloth, you could also place an ice cube inside the washcloth to give your child some extra relief.
