Parenting – Top 20 Natural Teething Tips for Babies and Toddlers

Natural Teething Tips for Babies and Toddlers

Teething, the bane of babies, toddlers and their parents or guardians worldwide. Cutting teeth is no easy feat, and for babies and toddlers alike the arrival of milk teeth often takes their world, and yours by storm.

The first signs of teething are pretty obvious. From drooling and swollen gums to the endless biting, chewing and sucking on everything, including you. It’ll be hard pressed for you not to notice your once angelic little bundle of joy is teething. Placidness can turn to irritability. Your once ‘good eater’ might decide they no longer need to eat at all. Nights can be disturbed and nappies, well prepare to witness the stinkiest poops ever.

I’ve been there with both my gorgeous bundles, and when I say ‘we’, I mean ‘we’ because a baby or toddler teething is a family affair.

So with this experience in mind, it really was the perfect fit for me to bring you my Top 20 Natural Teething Tips for Babies and Toddlers.

Side Note: Teething can cause sore, red gums, more dribbling than usual and flushed cheeks. Your child might become more agitated, chew on things a lot more and have difficulty sleeping. And if your child isn’t feeling well, they may even refuse food and drink – which can cause dehydration and lead to constipation

In some cases your child may get a rash on their face, rub their ear, and have a mild temperature – less than 38C. And with these later symptoms in mind – always double check your child’s symptoms and don’t always take for granted it’s teething. Educate yourself to know: what is a dangerous rash, the symptoms of an ear infection and what is baby fever and when to contact your GP.

Further Reading: For more Parenting Articles visit The Life of Stuff Parenting Page

Add Some Cold

1. Chill a wet face-cloth /washcloth – let your little one chew on it. My tip – try get them to wear a bib whilst doing so as they can get rather wet.

2. Give your little one a cold spoon – as simple as it sounds, put a spoon in the fridge and when cold, give it to your little one to help soothe their aching gums.

3. Chill a soother – keep soothers in the fridge – the coldness of the soother will be a relief for sore gums. Remember to change baby’s soothers regularly and to check soothers for cracks and teeth nicks once teeth come through.

Relieve the Pressure

Photo by Ana Curcan

4. Rub the gums – with sparkling clean hands rub your little ones gums with your finger tips.

5. Massage the face and feet – massage your little ones face around the gum and jaw line to help relieve the pressure. Baby reflexology has been a big hit in our household for both teething pain and constipation so be sure to give it a go!

6. Teething toys – soft and hard, let your little one choose which they prefer to help soothe. Sophie the Giraffe is a big hit worldwide, both my boys enjoyed biting her legs, however be aware that parents have found mould growing inside the toy so keep a close eye on your giraffe – the same goes for rubber ducks in the bath!

photo by Meruyert Gonullu

7. Wooden teethers – these organic types of teethers are specially designed with teething babies and toddlers in mind, but like plastic and silicone teethers always buy from a reputable company.

8. Gum massager/ baby toothbrush – there are gum massager toothbrushes and chewable toothbrushes available. There are also finger toothbrushes available too. Our little boys were too independent for the later option and wanted to do it all by themselves.

Teething Jewellery

9. Teething Jewellery for you – I actually made my own teething jewellery (pictured above) from food safe, bpa free silicone beads but they are readily available in stores. The beauty of these is that you can look stylish while baby dribbles all over you. Plus the jewellery can be put in the fridge to cool for added soothing.

10. Amber or Hazelwood Anklet/Bracelet for child – some people swear by these organic products. Others are sceptical either of these products work. Amber is known for its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties, Hazelwood for the same plus it’s said to be good for eczema and acid reflux. Whatever your opinion, always make sure you purchase yours from a reputable company, that it has a safety latch and that you remove the item from your child when he or she is going to bed. Amber anklets and bracelets are made from beads and can pose a choking risk so always be aware.

Food & Drink

11. Chill a bottle of water – fill a bottle of cooled boiled water and chill in the fridge. Then give it to your little one to help soothe their pain.

12. Cold water – if your little one is drinking from a closed top beaker or sippy cup. Fill their water with ice cubes, allow the ice cubes to melt a little just in case they manage to open the cup, and let them sip away.

13. Cold foods – when a lack of appetite strikes, give your little one cold foods such as stewed apple and pear, yogurt, cold pieces of fruit or even a cold carrot.

14. Use a feeder – fill a mesh or silicone feeder with frozen fruit and let your little one munch to their heart’s content.

15. Freeze breast milk – if you’re still breastfeeding, remember you can always offer your little one some frozen breast milk.

16. Ginger root – peel Ginger Root and rub it on swollen gums to help soothe them.

Homeopathic Remedies

17. Nelsons Teething Granules and Gels – suitable for babies aged three months and over, Nelsons teething granules and gels are packed full of natural goodies to help soothe teething pain and the symptoms of teething. ‘Nelsons® Teetha® homeopathic products are used for the symptomatic relief of teething pain and the symptoms associated with teething, which are sore and tender gums, flushed cheeks and dribbling’.

18. Essential Oils and Herbs – there are numerous essential oils and herbs that can be used – try Chamomile tea which once made weak can be frozen and then added to a muslin bag to help calm and soothe.

Keeping Clean

19. Wipe those dribbles and drool – and do so with a clean, soft cloth to prevent irritation.

20. Bathe – as well as a distraction, bath time can be a super time for play or relaxation.

For more information on teething I recommend having a read of the Nelsons Teetha ebook which you can find on their site teetha.ie.

In the meantime I’d love to hear your teething tips so please leave yours in the comment box below or when you see this post on The Life of Stuff social media accounts.