If you've ever had a teething baby, you know that teething sucks. Babies are crabby and fussy, their sleep gets disrupted, they may refuse to eat, and they may even have a slight fever.
While teething can be uncomfortable or downright painful for some babies, there are ways to help ease your baby's teething pain. However, since babies can be teething for quite a long time - well into toddlerhood - we like to focus on natural remedies for teething rather than always relying on medication.
What is Teething?
Teething is a process whereby an infant's first teeth erupt through the gums. Babies usually begin teething around six months but timing can vary from child to child. Babies may experience discomfort and pain during teething as their gums are stretched and new teeth break through. But babies can't tell us what's bothering them with words, so keep an eye out for these common teething symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of teething
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Red and swollen gums
Sensitive red gums are a telltale sign of teething. Baby may have inflamed gums for weeks before a tooth actually breaks through.
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Drooling
Drooling (more than usual) is common in teething babies. Get some cloth bibs so that you aren't changing outfits multiple times a day.
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Facial rash from drooling
Excessive drooling can cause baby's chin and neck to become chapped, and a rash may develop from the irritation. Keeping baby's chin as dry as possible can help. We like Pipette Baby Balm to keep the chin dry and moisturized and Boiron Calendula cream to help if a rash or irritation does develop.
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Decreased appetite
When babies are having teething pain they may not want to eat as they normally would. A decreased appetite is totally normal, and they may also seek comfort and want to breastfeed more frequently.
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Chewing on solid objects around them, and fingers
Some babies find relief from teething pain by biting down on hard objects or on their own fingers (more than usual). You might notice your baby picking up random objects from around the house to bite on (remote controls seem to be a favorite!), or they might start to gnaw on their own crib or your shoulder when you carry them. Breastfeeding moms may also get a bite when nursing. If this happens, gently break your baby's latch and say "ouch" so that they get the message.
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Crankiness and irritability
Teething can be painful, and so most babies do experience some crankiness and irritability as they try to manage their discomfort. Practice patience and try to empathize with your little one while trying some of the natural teething remedies listed below.
27 Home Remedies Ideas for Teething Babies
There are a number of ways to help your baby relieve teething pain, from special teething products to certain foods. We've grouped them into five groups: natural remedies, oils, and extracts; teething jewelry; food for teething babies; toys and items for teething; medicines for teething.
You'll find that one teething remedy might soothe a baby one day and not the next, so keep this list handy and cycle through it as needed!
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Natural remedies, oils, and extracts
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Cold foods/liquids
Cold or frozen foods can help to soothe sore gums. If baby is eating solid foods, try to serve cold foods to offer some relief for baby's gums. Here are some other ideas that might help:
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Ice cubes
Messy, but simple, ice cubes are cold and also offer some hydration. Wrap ice cubes and other frozen foods in a dishcloth to make them easier for baby to hold.
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Serenity KidS POUCHES frozen in A mesh feeding strainer or popsicle mold
Serenity Kids pouches provide great nutrition alongside teething relief when they are frozen. This is especially helpful if your baby is refusing to eat due to teething pain.
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Chilled spoon
Something as simple as a chilled spoon (measuring spoons work well) can provide baby some relief.
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Frozen cubes of chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is great to soothe sore gums. Just brew and then freeze in an ice cube tray or popsicle mold.
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Frozen washcloth
Just get a damp clean washcloth, freeze it, and let baby chew!
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Popsicles
Make sure that these are made from Serenity Kids baby food, breastmilk, bone broth, electrolytes (our fav is LMNT) or water, NOT juice or anything sweetened. It's super easy to make your own popsicles! This is our favorite mess-free popsicle mold.
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Frozen cubes of breast milk
Nutritious and soothing, breast milk is a great teething remedy. just freeze some in an ice cube tray or popsicle mold and let baby chew and teeth on it. fair warning, it can get a bit messy.
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Frozen bone broth
Bone broth that is frozen in ice cube trays or a popsicle mold is a great and nourishing teething remedy.
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Raw frozen liver
May sound gross, but liver is really great for babies! The Weston Price Foundation recommends freezing liver for 14 days to reduce the risk of pathogens and parasites, and of course making sure that you know and trust the source. Grass-fed beef liver or organic chicken liver will have the highest nutrition.
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Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the best natural remedies for teething as it provides baby with physical comfort and also nutrition. This is particularly helpful for babies who are refusing solid foods due to their teeth and gums hurting.
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Licorice root
Licorice root is one of the herbal remedies for teething. Licorice root sticks are great since baby can get relief from chewing on the stick while also benefiting from licorice root’s cooling and numbing properties.
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Catnip tea
Catnip tea doesn't have much scientific evidence behind it, but has quite a bit of anecdotal support. Catnip is said to calm irritable babies and help them rest.
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Massage gums with your finger
Massaging baby's gums can help ease the discomfort and relieve built up tension where a tooth is coming in.
Massage gently, in small circular motions, and watch for any reactions to painful or sensitive areas in their mouths.
You can also gently clean your baby’s mouth and gums during this time. You can use clean, moistened gauze and gently massage your baby’s gums while wiping them down and making sure they’re clean after feedings or before bed.
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Rosehip
Rosehip has been shown to contain anti-inflammatory properties which can help a baby who is teething. As a bonus, it is also a source of vitamin C and antioxidants which can support immunity.
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Cloves essential oil
Clove oil acts as a natural anesthetic and has been shown to work as well as benzocaine at relieving pain. It naturally numbs baby's gums. Earthley Teeth Tamer is a great way to give baby clove oil.
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Chamomile products
Chamomile is one of the more popular natural teething remedies. It helps relax and soothe irritability. We particularly liked this one and this one.
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Teething jewelry
While there isn’t much research on teething jewelry, many families swear by it to help with managing teething symptoms.
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Amber jewelry
Amber teething necklaces are typically made from baltic amber and many parents report that they work to help alleviate teething symptoms. They can be a choking hazard when around the neck, so use one that easily comes unclasped, or wrap them around baby's ankle when they are sleeping.
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Silicone teething jewelry
There are some great necklaces that parents can wear so that baby can chew on them while being held (it's better than your shoulder!).
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Allspice necklace
Make sure the clasp comes apart easily so it isn't a choking hazard or safety risk.
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Foods with rough texture for teething babies
Babies can get fussy when it comes to eating while they are teething. If their teeth and gums are sore, it can be uncomfortable to eat! Here are some foods that might feel good for baby to eat.
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Frozen waffles
You can make your own waffles with healthy ingredients like eggs, almond flour, and cassava flour, adding our pouches for extra flavor and nutrition. We also like Birch Benders Paleo waffles as a good store-bought option.
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Teething biscuits
Many parents turn to teething biscuits for babies to gnaw on. However, they're typically sweetened and made of rice, which we don't recommend.
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Beef jerky
We recommend jerky made with grass-fed beef and has no sugar added. We like Paleovalley and Chomps.
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Toys and items for teething
You might notice that anything and everything is up for grabs for baby to chew when teething. Here are some items designed for baby to use for some relief!
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Wearable teething gloves
Since babies often teethe on their own hands, wearable teething gloves are a great outlet for pain relief. They slip over baby's hands and include a silicone tip that is generally textured so that baby can chew on it.
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Teething spoon
A simple metal teaspoon or measuring spoon is hard and cold to provide baby with some relief. Stick it in the fridge to get it cold!
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Teething toothbrush
A silicone toothbrush is a great sensory toy and teether that also helps to get baby acclimated to using a toothbrush.
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Frozen teething toys
Frozen teething toys such as teething rings can provide a cold numbing sensation that babies can chew on for additional relief. This one was Della’s favorite! Very similar to a teething ring.
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Medicines for teething babies
Teething gels and drops can provide some pain relief by offering a numbing sensation. Boiron Camilia drops are easy to drop into the mouth, while gels need to be rubbed on in a circular motion for immediate (but temporary) relief.
When to Consult a Doctor?
There are some symptoms that are often attributed to teething that are actually not associated with teething. The following symptoms are not caused by teething and may require medical attention:
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Fever
A slightly elevated temperature is normal, but a fever above 100.4 is likely not due to teething.
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Persistent diarrhea
Teething can cause slightly runnier stools, but not persistent diarrhea.
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Loss of appetite
A decreased appetite is normal, but if your baby is completely refusing all breastmilk, formula, and solids, there is likely something else bothering them.
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Inconsolable crying
Fussiness is normal, but a baby that cannot be consoled is not just from teething.
Conclusion
Teething can be a tough phase for babies and new parents, but the good news is that there are a number of natural anti-inflammatory remedies that are both safe and effective to help ease teething pain and sore gums.
