The appearance of your baby's first tooth marks one of many milestones in the first year of her life. While the event makes a fitting note in the baby book, it causes discomfort for your infant. Infant teething gel can numb the entire mouth and often doesn't have a lasting effect. Home remedies offer alternative methods of easing your baby's teething pain.
Cold
Cold helps ease the discomfort of teething pain in many babies. There are several options you can use that offer cooling relief for your infant. A washcloth dampened with cold water is a soft, convenient option. Place it in the refrigerator to make it colder. Many other objects become a cold pain relief aid after being placed in the refrigerator. Teething rings and cloth toys both work well for this purpose. A bottle or sippy cup of water helps your baby stay hydrated and may ease some of his teething pain. Cold foods such as applesauce, yogurt and pureed fruits provide temporary teething pain relief. Frozen foods such as bagels and bananas allow the baby to chew for longer periods of time while also feeling the cold relief. Supervise your child closely if you give him a frozen food item. If he chews off a piece of the food, it can cause him to choke.
Massage
Massaging the gums works well for some infants. Babies often chew on their own fingers or toes, particularly when teething. Offering your finger for relief helps soothe the teething baby even more. Wash your hands thoroughly before placing them in your baby's mouth. Place one finger in her mouth and apply light pressure to the gums. Your infant may also want to chew on your finger. Be prepared for her to bite down on your finger if you choose to do a gum massage.
Herbal Remedies
Clove oil is known to have a numbing and warming effect. A small amount of clove oil rubbed on the gums may provide some relief for your teething infant. Avoid using large amounts of clove oil which can cause an upset stomach.
Natural licorice sticks are herbs often found in health food stores. Let your infant chew on a natural licorice stick, not a candy licorice stick, for a cooling, numbing sensation. Wild fennel is a similar option, with the stalks of the plant offering the same cool, numbing effect.
Pure vanilla extract rubbed on the gums offers another natural option for pain relief. The extract contains alcohol, which warms the gums for short-term comfort. Vanilla also offers calming properties, providing soothing relief from teething.
Consult with your physician before using herbal remedies with your infant if you're unsure about using them.
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