When you've got a screaming and uncomfortable young baby who's trying desperately to bite down on your finger, teething is likely to blame for her discomfort. Teething most often starts when babies are around 6 months of age and will continue until past the age of 2. Teething can be pretty painful for a little one, and it can be difficult to provide comfort and pain relief. Though some baby pain relievers like Tylenol can help, there are some more natural methods parents can use to soothe the sting of teething.
How to Do It
Step 1
Offer a gentle gum massage. When baby's gums are throbbing, often just a gentle massage of sore gums can offer some relief. Even use just your finger to gently rub baby's gums--just make sure your hands are clean. Topical anesthetics just for teething babies can also be helpful, and you can rub them into the gums during your finger massage.
Step 2
Cool down inflamed gums. Take a washcloth, soak it in water, store it in the freezer and hold it against baby's toasty little gums. Let him suck and hold and chew on it; just be sure he can't swallow or choke on it.
Step 3
Give baby something to chew on. Buy a couple of teething rings and store them in the refrigerator. Let your baby chew on them for a little relief--she just wants to bite down on something to relieve the pressure in her aching gums. You can also take an apple slice, place it in the refrigerator or the freezer for a few minutes and let her chew on it for some relief--again, just be sure she can't choke.
Step 4
Create a natural herbal remedy. Try making an herbal treatment for a teething baby using pure vanilla extract, clove oil, natural licorice oil or wild fennel. The herbs ginger and allspice can also ease teething pain, as well as olive oil or a little chamomile tea.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't freeze a teething ring; instead, pop it in the refrigerator so it's cool but still chewy.
- If your baby is running a fever, call your pediatrician--a fever isn't normal with teething.
Things You'll Need
- Teething ring
- Washcloth
- Herbs and oils
- Apples
