Home Remedies for Teething Pain in Babies and How to Soothe Naturally

Are there home remedies for teething in babies that work? Teething can be painful process for both the mother and the child. A better understanding of signs of teething and how to soothe teething pain in babies can ease your way through this important milestone. Below, learn more on how to relieve teething pain using simple natural remedies. Also find more on teething necklaces, toys and homeopathic remedies for teething.

Teething is when teeth start to emerge through the gums- starts around the age of 4-7 months . There is a great variability in timing of teething- from before birth to after her first birthday. Teething could carry on for a year or more. If your child shows signs of teething earlier or doesn’t show any signs later should not worry you unless it affects feeding. Most children will have all their milk teeth by the time they are two years old .

Signs of Teething

Signs of teething may vary from one child to the other; your child may have one or several of the following,

• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Drooling
• Gum rubbing, biting or sucking
• Red flushed cheeks or face
• Not feeding well
• Irritable

According to babycentre.co.uk, your baby may also develop a low grade fever or diarrhea just before the tooth breaks through. However, you should never assume that these symptoms are merely caused by teething. If your baby has severe symptoms or causing you concern, seek medical advice.

Effective Home Remedies for Teething

The use of teething gels and powders on baby’s gum is common, but experts question whether these are safe and effective. Here are effective and baby safe home remedies for teething and teething problems is children.

Frozen Bananas for Teething

1. Peel a banana and chop it in 1 inch pieces
2. Place the chopped pieces in an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer
3. Allow the bananas to freeze. This may take 1-3 hours depending on your freezer setting
4. Take one frozen banana piece and place it in a reusable tea bag
5. Give the frozen piece of banana in a tea bag is ready for the baby to chew on

   

The tea bag prevents small pieces of banana that can cause chocking from breaking off. It is however advisable to supervise the baby when chewing on the frozen banana for baby teething relief. Alternatively, you can use cold carrots in the same way, just that you do not have to place them in a tea bag this time. Carrots are hard enough for the baby not to break off any pieces that may cause chocking .

Clove Oil

This is one of the effective home remedies for teething that has been incorporated into commercial tooth pain relievers. It is a natural anesthetic that can numb the gums for some time to provide relief.

1. Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
2. Add in 2 drops of clove bud essential oil
3. Pour the mixture into a clean container and keep it in a cool dark place
4. When need arises, shake the contents well and use your fingertips to apply sparingly to gums

WARNING : Clove oil must however be used in very small amounts and at very low concentrations. If used in large amounts, it can cause stomach upsets and also blistering if not diluted to the lowest concentrations. Please observe your baby for any potential reactions.

Almond extract

Almonds can also help to soothe your baby and offer relief to tender swollen gums.

1. Make a solution by mixing almond extract and water
2. Gently rub this solution onto baby’s gums
3. Repeat as required to relieve teething pain

Vanilla Extract

According to the handbook off medicinal herbs by James A. Duke, a few drops of vanilla extract rubbed on the teeth and gums can relieve toothaches as vanilla has a calming effect . Although there is no scientific proof to support the use of this remedy for baby teething relief, it has been widely used to ease pain and soothe teething infants.

1. Take a small amount of vanilla extract and rub it over the inflamed gums
2. Gently massage for 2 minutes
3. Repeat this process as needed, it relieves pain and also tastes good

Ginger Root

Ginger is a natural kitchen ingredient that is known for its excellent health benefits. It is one of the most popular home remedies for teething. Your baby may probably not like the taste of this but it is sure effective in numbing soothing nerve endings and easing pain.

1. Simply, clean and peel a small piece of ginger root
2. Rub it on the gums for 2-3 minutes
3. Repeat several times in the day to soothe teething pain
4. Alternatively, you can mix ground ginger with water, formula or breast milk to make a paste. Gently massage this to the gums to relieve pain.

Natural Licorice Sticks

You can make natural candy sticks for your little one to chew on. It has a sweet tasting and subtle numbing effect on the gums. Simply, give a whole natural licorice stick for your baby to chew on. It is always god to supervise your baby if giving her licorice sticks.

Alternatively, add a teaspoon of licorice powder to some water to make a paste. Gently apply the paste to baby’s gums and massage to soothe tender swollen gums.

Wild Fennel

These have fern like leaves and hollow stalks that can be chewed or sucked on for a juicy cooling treat. Have the baby chew on a few leaves of wild fennel to provide relief.

Barley Water

Barley water is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help relieve swollen and painful gums.

1. Rinse and soak 1 cup of barley overnight
2. Add in 1/3 cup and simmer for 15 minutes
3. Drain or strain and allow it to cool
4. Place in baby bottle and give in small quantities to relieve teething pain

Herbal Remedies for Teething

Essential Oils

Simply rub the gums with clove essential oil or lavender essential oil to ease teething pain.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile can help soothe and relax a teething baby. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and calming properties that help relieve teething pain. This home remedy can also relieve teething diarrhea.

1. Crush one chamomile tablet into powder with the back of a spoon. Mix the powder into 1 tablespoon of water and give it to baby.
2. Alternatively, add one chamomile tea bag into a cup of boiling water and steep for three minute. Allow the tea to completely cool off before giving it to your baby.
3. To relieve inflamed gums, dip a clean wash cloth in chamomile tea and place it in a freezer. Offer the frozen end to the baby to gnaw on.

How to Soothe Teething Baby Pain

If you are not sure how to soothe teething pain in babies at different ages, try these safe and effective remedies to relieve pain. Some pain relieving and gum soothing remedies are not recommended for toddlers or older infants as those that have had their first teeth may bite on things like pacifiers and feeding bottle posing a chocking risk. Remedies to soothe teething pain in 3 month olds may not be same for 6 or 9 month old babies.

Chilled Foods

Chilled foods can give a soothing effect for children who have already been started on solid foods. If your child is still cranky and down with pain and is between 6- 9 months old, try offering him a cold food like applesauce or yogurt to help soothe gum pain.

Over the Counter Pain Reliever

Be sure to ask your pediatrician first (especially for early teethers, as doctor’s approval should be given for acetaminophen in babies less than 3 months of age and ibuprofen in babies less than 6 months of age), but some parents find that a dose of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen can work wonders, especially during a tough middle-of-the-night screaming episodes. Make sure to read the product labeling fully, especially in light of changes to the formulation of OTC versions of acetaminophen for infants.

Natural Remedies for Teething

Natural remedies for teething, offer pain relief using non-medicinal ingredients that can be easily found at home and can be used effectively with keen regard to baby safety. Effective natural teething remedies include:

Biscuits

This is the easiest and most effective of home remedies for teething. Take a firm unsweetened biscuit and let the child chew on it under your supervision. Other than providing relief, the child is also able to shift focus from the pain to gnawing on the biscuit.

Cold Spoon

The American Dental Association recommends this as one of the home remedies for teething.

1. Place a steel spoon and place it in the refrigerator for some hours
2. Take it out and place it in the baby’s mouth

This metal surface of the spoon works against the guns to offer pain relief. Remember that the spoon should be cold NOT frozen. You can also use a wooden chip free stirring spoon in the same way.

CAUTION : Never let your child walk around with a spoon in their mouth- they might hit something and end up scrapping their mouth.

Beef Jerky

This is one of the safest home remedies for teething as beef jerky is difficult to bite off. Give large pieces of non-peppered beef jerky and allow the baby to bite on it. It offers relief and also tastes good. Use this remedy with caution and only allow the baby to chew on beef jerky under your supervision.

Cold Towel or Dishcloth

1. Wet a clean towel or dishcloth and squeeze to get rid of excess water
2. Roll up the towel and place it in a zip bag then place it in a freezer for a few hours
3. Give the cold towel to a baby and allow them to gnaw on it

This offers pain relief and also distracts the pain from the discomfort that comes with teething.

Massage the Gums

All home remedies for teething aside, massaging your child’s gums with a clean finger might be all she needs. The pressure and rubbing onto the gums effectively relieves pain and makes the baby feel good. Just be sure to clean your hands before getting them into your child’s mouth. You can also let your baby chew on a pacifier or chilled drinking bottle for the same effect.

It is important to note that pacifiers and bottles are not the best natural teething remedies for older children with teeth. This is because they might bite off small pieces of rubber posing a chocking risk.

Teething Toys to Soothe the Pain

These are designed to make it easier for teething babies. They can be made of rubber, wood or plastic and come in various shapes and sizes. Choose those that can be placed in the refrigerator as these ones offer a cooling calming relief to the gums. Teething toys should not be too big or small for age. Remember that teething toys need to be baby safe- they should be phthalate, PVC and BPA free with no toxic paint on them.

Teething Necklaces for Teething Babies

The use of amber teething necklaces and bracelets is an old fashioned idea that seems to gain popularity with modern mothers. It is said that these necklaces and bracelets contain succinic acid which is a natural occurring compound. Succinic acid is a natural pain reliever, anti-inflammatory and central nervous system calmer. It eases pain by soothing the nervous system.

The necklaces have beads which are held together and worn against the skin. Succinic acid is absorbed through the skin as they get warmed against the skin. It is not recommended that children wear amber necklaces at night. Rather, use amber anklets which can be worn inside the sock at night.

Homeopathic Teething Remedies for Rash, Fever in Infants

Homeopathic remedies for teething can also help to ease a child’s teething pain. There are several medications that can be used to soothe and offer pain relief or treat symptoms that come with teething. Homeopathic teething remedies offer quick but long lasting solutions to teething.

Calcarea phosphorica is a great remedy for teething symptoms such as pain and tender swollen gums. Give calc phos 6x 2-3 times per day until there is relief.

Calcarea Carbonica – This remedy offers relief to children who are experiencing sluggish and problematic teething process. It also heals inflamed gums, swelling and tenderness.

Chamomilla is a commonly used remedy for when your child is inconsolable and angry with the pain of teething (usually when they are cutting the gum).

Podophyllum is given to children experiencing a problematic teething phase accompanied by tooth pain that makes the baby feel better when he or she bites the gums jointly. Such children also grind their gums while asleep, sweat while sleeping and have a cold face. Other symptoms endured by these teething children may include watery feces, often having surging stools with no pain, splashing bowels and scorching and flushing cheeks

Homeopathic teething remedies offer some of the most effective solutions for common teething problems but should never be used without expert consultation and advice.

Other things you do to help ease teething pain

• Keep the child distracted with a game or walk outside so that they can forget the pain for a while
• Use a soft brush to brush the infants cut out teeth twice a day. This also helps to soothe tender gums
• Give foods rich in calcium and vitamin D- they help to grow teeth stronger
• Teething rash is normal and is caused by continued wetness from drool- use a beep or soft cloth to wipe off saliva. This keeps the baby clean to avoid skin irritation and drool-rash
• Do not give the baby very cold things to chew on as they can cause pain and discomfort. Make sure the temperatures are bearable

Teething and teething symptoms usually get better within days. To help with crankiness and sleepless nights, these home remedies can be used carefully to offer pain relief and soothe tender swollen gums. It is always important to remember that not all symptoms point towards teething and if you are concerned about a high fever, diarrhea of irritability, it is always good to see a doctor.

Sources:

Handbook of Medicinal Herbs by James A. Duke

Ask Dr. Sears Teething

Dr. Michaels How to Ease Teething Without Medicine