Parents eagerly await their baby’s milestones like the first smile, first word, and first full night of sleep. However, one milestone that often causes anxiety is the eruption of your baby’s first tooth.

When those first baby teeth start to break through, it can be a tough time for both the baby and parents. Here are eight helpful tips to ease your teething baby’s discomfort at home.

Additionally, we have addressed some common teething questions to help alleviate any concerns you may have.

Eight tips to soothing sore, teething gums

1. Delicate Gum Massage

Provide pain relief for your baby by gently massaging their gums with a clean finger or cool spoon. You can also wrap a cold, clean washcloth around your finger and massage their gums with it.

2. Cold Teething Rings

Teething rings offer relief through gentle pressure. Chilled teething rings can be particularly effective as the coolness helps soothe the pain while your baby chews on them.

Remember not to freeze the teething ring to avoid hurting their gums. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and refrain from tying rings around your baby’s neck.

3. Chilled Rusks for Solid Foods

If your baby is eating solid foods and is over six months old, try offering chilled sugar-free rusks or teething biscuits.

4. Distract from Pain

When your baby is irritable, distract them with comforting embraces and engage in play to shift their focus away from mouth pain.

5. Stick to Regular Bedtime

Maintain your baby’s usual bedtime routine to provide a sense of normalcy, even if they are having trouble settling due to teething discomfort.

Use white noise to drown out external disturbances and consider giving a gentle gum massage before bedtime to alleviate discomfort.

6. Manage Excessive Drooling

Cleanse away excess drool to prevent skin irritation. Gently wipe their chin with a soft cloth to prevent a red rash.

7. Keep Calm

Stay composed during the teething phase, as your emotional state can impact your baby. Take deep breaths and remember that this phase will pass once the tooth emerges.

If you have concerns, consult your child’s doctor.

8. Seek Medical Advice for Pain Relief

If other methods do not alleviate your baby’s pain, consult with their doctor for medical pain relief options.

Teething Pain Relief

There are several methods to help relieve teething pain in babies. You can give them a clean, chilled teething ring to chew on, gently rub their gums with a clean finger, or give them a chilled washcloth to gnaw on. You can also try massaging their gums with a clean, wet finger or offer them a pacifier to suck on.

Teething Toys

When choosing teething toys for your baby, make sure they are made of safe, non-toxic materials that are easy for your baby to hold and chew on. Look for toys that can be chilled in the fridge for added relief or that have different textures to massage your baby’s gums.

Teething and Fever

It is normal for babies to have a slight increase in body temperature while teething, but a fever above 100.4°F (38°C) is not typically a symptom of teething. If your baby has a fever along with other symptoms, consult a doctor to rule out any other underlying issues.

Teething and Drooling

Excessive drooling is a common sign of teething as your baby’s salivary glands become more active during this time. To help manage drooling, you can use a bib to keep your baby dry and change it frequently. You can also gently wipe your baby’s chin and mouth with a clean cloth throughout the day.

Additional Tips to Help Soothe Baby Teething Pain

1. Offer a clean, cool teething ring or washcloth for your baby to chew on. The pressure can help relieve their discomfort.

2. Try gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger. This can help soothe the pain caused by teething.

3. Provide your baby with cold, soft foods like yogurt or applesauce to help ease their sore gums.

4. Give your baby a gentle massage on their cheeks or jaw to help relax the muscles and alleviate teething pain.

5. Use natural remedies like chamomile tea bags (cooled) or clove oil (diluted) on a cotton swab to help reduce inflammation and discomfort.

Remember, it’s essential to monitor your baby’s teething symptoms and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about their pain or development.

By following these tips and providing comfort to your teething baby, you can help them navigate this stage with less discomfort and promote healthy dental habits for the future.

1. Apply pressure to the gums/give them something to chew

Gently massage the gums with your finger or a cold teething ring for relief from pressure. Avoid remedies containing sugar. Chewing on a clean and safe teething toy can also help soothe your baby’s sore gums. Make sure to regularly clean and inspect the teething toy for any signs of wear or damage.

2. Soothe the discomfort with something cold

Cool objects like a cold spoon or fruit can help reduce inflammation. Be cautious with cold temperatures to prevent harm.

3. Teething gel

Teething gels are specially formulated to help alleviate the discomfort that babies experience during the teething process. They work by numbing the gums and reducing inflammation, providing temporary relief from pain.

However, it is important to use teething gels with caution. Some ingredients, such as benzocaine, can be harmful if ingested excessively. Always follow the dosage instructions provided and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

4. Medication

If needed, consider giving your baby paracetamol for pain relief. Consult a healthcare professional for the correct dosage.

5. Avoid amber teething necklaces

Avoid using amber teething necklaces, as their effectiveness is unproven and they pose a choking hazard.

So what do I do if I want natural alternatives for pain relief?

If home remedies are ineffective, seek advice from a pediatrician or dentist for personalized recommendations.