From about 3-4 months old, your baby starts drooling and chewing on her hands. Teething? Everyone from Great-Aunt Tilly to the mailman is convinced that teeth are emerging, and whether they come soon or much, much later, those chompers are on their way out.
Teething is commonly over-diagnosed and over-treated by parents. Although all babies are different, typically, baby's first teeth erupt around 6 to 10 months of age. Your baby's first teeth are likely to be two in the bottom front row.
Tell-Tale Signs of Teething
Your baby's response to teething may vary from extreme discomfort and upset to not even noticing it's happening. In addition to being the right age, signs of teething include:
- Inflammation of the gums
- Stressful reactions in the body – such as redness of the face
- Drooling more than usual
- Change in bowel movements – Often from swallowing extra saliva
- New preoccupation with gnawing on things
- Sleep disruption from discomfort
While teething does not “cause” fevers, the stress and associated lack of sleep of teething may weaken the immune system leading to more colds, coughs, earaches, and fevers. If these associated symptoms persist, consult with your pediatric practitioner.
Natural Teething Remedies for Discomfort
The goal is to keep your baby as comfortable as possible while she experiences this natural rite of passage. There are many safe, easy and natural remedies that will alleviate the discomfort of teething, including both physical pain and emotional distress.
Help you baby overcome gum irritation or pain by providing:
- Frozen washcloths she can safely chew or suck on.
- Frozen bananas to suck or chew.
- Safe chewy toys or teething rings that are free of BPA and other toxins.
- Your own clean finger rubbed gently on baby's gums.
Safe and effective pain relieving remedies include:
- Homeopathic remedies – Teething drops or internal teething tablets ease the pain for lots of teething babes. Homeopathic Arnica taken internally facilitates healing.
- Flower essences – Bach Rescue Remedy soothes the nervous system when baby is stressed or panicking from pain.
- A teething oil – Look for one with clove essential oil to numb the area naturally, like this one.
- Chinese herbs – Ask your TCM practitioner about kid-friendly formulas such as TenderTeeth by Blue Poppy address the underlying condition causing discomfort and soothe the nervous system naturally.
- Baby ibuprofen only if absolutely necessary – ie, your baby can't sleep or eat because of the pain. NEVER give your baby aspirin, which can cause Reye's Syndrome, and avoid Tylenol because of potential liver toxicity.
Once your baby's teeth begin to erupt, you can start cleaning those pearly whites and gums with a wet washcloth once or twice a day. After 1 year of age, use a baby toothbrush and fluoride-free, glycerine-free toothpaste that safe enough if your kiddo swallows it.
The most important piece to dental health for your child is nutrition – but much more than avoiding sugar and processed foods… Read more in this post on superfoods for strong healthy teeth.
What natural teething remedies have helped your baby the most?
Any thoughts on Amber Teething necklaces? My 3.5m.o. has been drooling like crazy, and munching on his little fingers non-stop, so I ordered one… Not super fussy but a little fussier than normal.
Hi Sarah – According to my friend Heather’s post, “Teething necklaces made from amber resin contain succinic acid, a natural painkiller that is released when warm skin touches the beads.
When you’re shopping around keep in mind that raw, unpolished amber that is light in color contains the most succinic acid.”
That sounds about right to me. You can read more here: http://www.mommypotamus.com/help-my-baby-is-teething/
We started Elena with a amber ankle bracelet around 4 months. She is 16 months with more than 14 teeth and have updated her to a necklace! She has had very little fussiness considering how many teeth have come thru her gums.
My wife runs a daycare and we just had a case two days ago where the parents dropped the baby off with a 102.7 fever. When she called them to come get their sick kid they were irate. Its just teething… They came and got him, but the next day they brought him right back and gave her a bottle of tylenol…Sad…
When can you give a child aspirin? I remember in Natasha Campbell Price’s book GAPS, that she recommends that over anything else for children! Thanks! Sara
I thought Essential Oil Safety did NOT recommend using Clove Essential Oil as an analgesic with babies.
Is an herbal remedy like “Tender Teeth” safe to take long term (as in, every day for a year)? My son seems to be in some level of teething discomfort nearly every day (though much worse when teeth actually break through).
Hi Kerry, yes, it is safe to take “Tender Teeth” long term. However, you may want to consult with a holistic practitioner to see if they can recommend anyhthing to help with his constitution.
It’s a good thing that people of any age for tooth.
ok thanka for lot.