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Flying with a Newborn: Tips for a Smooth Journey
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One of the first major challenges that babies encounter is teething. The emergence of new teeth through the gums can make babies irritable, produce excessive drool, and experience sleep difficulties. The way babies handle tooth pain varies, as some experience teething without any issues, but others display obvious signs of pain and agitation. During this time, parents try their best to find effective pain relief solutions that can also provide significant improvements.
The teething process starts at 4 months old and extends through the ages of 2 to 3 years. The process lasts for a few years, although it affects the body through substantial changes. Many parents choose to avoid using medications as their first choice for treating their child's tooth pain. Natural remedies exist to help the baby feel better from teething pain using common household items.
This guide advises 15 natural teething pain relief remedies. All these methods have no risk to the baby and are simple to handle and appropriate for various teething development phases.
Top 15 Natural Remedies To Soothe Teething Pain in Babies
There are many small things you can try at home to help your baby feel better. These natural methods are gentle, safe, and easy to use during different stages of teething.
1. Chilled Spoons
Place a clean metal spoon inside the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. After it has cooled down from the refrigerator temperature, the cool spoon should be gently pressed against the baby's gums. The cold temperature of the spoon helps to numb the area while its firmness creates a comforting pressure that babies find relaxing. The spoon must always be under adult supervision because it should never be left unattended in a crib or given to a baby without supervision.
2. Cold Washcloths
Dampen a clean washcloth, twist it, and place it in the refrigerator for a while. Once it's chilled, offer it to your baby to chew. The texture of the cloth massages the gums, and the cold helps reduce inflammation. If your baby has teeth already, check that they don't bite through it. Cloth fibers shouldn't end up in their mouth.
3. Silicone Teething Toys
Many babies instinctively chew to ease teething discomfort. A soft, flexible silicone teether can help a lot. Always opt for teethers that are BPA-free and food-grade material. Keep the teether clean and consider chilling it for added relief. These toys are designed to be gnawed on and help with baby teething pain in a hands-on way. If you want one, you can check out the Natural Baby Teether from Baby Forest.
4. Gum Massage
Use a clean finger to gently rub the baby's gums with slow pressure after washing hands completely. The massage technique offers quick relief for a short time. It should be performed in brief intervals of a few seconds and repeated as needed. The gentle warmth and familiar touch of a hand often bring comfort to most babies.
5. Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding
Feeding comforts babies during teething and distracts them from the pain. Sucking releases natural calming hormones, but if your baby starts biting, that's a cue they need a teether before resuming feeding. This tip works best in short feeding sessions rather than long ones during high discomfort periods.
6. Cold Foods (For Babies Eating Solids)
The baby can find relief from within with the help of chilled foods such as mashed bananas, cold applesauce, and refrigerated yoghurt if they have already begun eating solids. The baby should avoid consuming any food items that are hard or chunky. When introducing new foods to the baby, give small portions because it helps with the first-time food introduction.
7. Wooden Teething Rings
Wooden teethers (made of untreated, chemical-free hardwood) offer a different texture. They're firmer than silicone, which some babies prefer. Make sure the wood is smooth, has no splinters, and is easy to grip. Always check for cracks or wear before giving it to your baby.
8. Movement-Based Distraction
A walk in a stroller, slow bouncing, or even gentle rocking can calm a teething baby. The movement works because it shifts their focus from the pain. If your baby is especially fussy, stepping outside even briefly can reduce crying.
9. Chamomile Tea Compress
Chamomile has natural calming properties. Brew a weak cup (no sugar), cool it down, and dip a clean cloth or pacifier in it. Offer the dampened item to your baby to suck or chew. Some parents even freeze chamomile tea in silicone molds for a gum-soothing chew treat.
10. Chewing on a Clean Finger
Sometimes babies simply want to chew, and if no toy is nearby, a parent’s clean finger can help. Unlike gum massage, which is parent-guided, this is led by the baby. Let them apply their own pressure while you supervise closely. It’s not ideal for long sessions, but in the middle of a meltdown, it can buy a few quiet minutes.
11. Manage Excess Drool
Too much drool can irritate your baby's skin. Keep a clean bib on during the day and wipe their chin and cheeks with a soft cloth. Use a baby-safe moisturizer or barrier cream to prevent rashes around the mouth and neck. Teething discomfort is worse when the skin is sore, too.
12. Stick to Nap and Bedtime Routines
Even if your baby's sleep is disrupted, keep the routine steady with things like a bath, lullaby, feed, and sleep. This predictability helps soothe and lower stress levels, especially during teething peaks. A calm baby may not feel the pain as sharply when they know what's coming next.
13. Teething Necklaces for Parents (Not Babies)
Some caregivers wear chew-safe necklaces made from food-grade silicone. Babies chew while being held; this works as a hands-free teeth pain reliever. Important: these should never be worn by babies. They are adult accessories meant only for use during supervised holding.
14. Quiet Time During Pain Peaks
When discomfort is high, reduce noise, bright lights, and activity. A dim room, the soft hum of a fan, and gentle rocking can do more than any toy. Overstimulated babies cry harder, and the pain feels worse when everything is loud.
15. Observe What Works and What Doesn't
Not every baby likes cold washcloths. Not every baby wants to chew. You might want to try three methods before one click. Take notes. Try different textures, temperatures, and distractions. Your baby's pattern will reveal itself over time, and adjusting to their needs is the best kids teeth pain remedy you’ll always prefer.
Conclusion
Teething isn’t easy, but gentle care and understanding go a long way. While there’s no instant fix, knowing what soothes your baby, be it cold pressure, comfort routines, or simple distractions, can make all the difference. Every baby is unique, and staying patient, informed, and consistent helps ease the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When do babies start teething, and in what order do teeth come in?
Most babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months. The pattern is usually predictable but not rigid. Lower central incisors, those two tiny teeth at the bottom front, tend to show up first, followed by the upper front teeth. Then come the lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally second molars. That said, not all babies follow this textbook order. Some skip the expected sequence, and that's not abnormal. By age three, most children will have a full set of 20 primary teeth. If teething hasn't started by 15 months, it may be worth checking with a pediatric dentist.
How do I know if it's teething or something else?
Teething doesn't announce itself clearly. Common signs include drooling (a lot), swollen gums, frequent chewing on toys or fingers, disrupted naps, and mild crankiness that comes and goes. What teething usually doesn't bring? High fevers, prolonged diarrhea, or a refusal to eat for days. Also, many parents sometimes assume everything is due to teething. Just because a baby is at the typical teething age doesn’t mean every sign of discomfort is caused by teething.
Does teething cause fever or loose stools?
Some doctors say no, others say maybe slightly. Mild gum inflammation might cause a very slight rise in temperature, but anything above 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever, and it likely isn't due to teething. The same goes for loose stools. Excess drooling can affect digestion, but real diarrhea isn't typical. If a baby is lethargic, won't eat, or shows signs of illness beyond crankiness and chewing; teething shouldn't be the real reason.
Are teething gels or tablets safe to use?
Caution is required. Over-the-counter gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine are not considered safe for infants. These substances can lead to serious conditions like methemoglobinemia, where oxygen in the blood drops to dangerous levels. Homeopathic teething tablets have also raised concerns in the past due to inconsistent ingredient levels. Many pediatricians now recommend avoiding all medicated gels and tablets for teething unless specifically advised. Non-drug methods like cold items or gum massage are safer as a first approach.
What's the safest natural way to relieve baby teething pain?
There isn't a single answer that works for all babies. But some things are widely accepted as safe: a cold silicone teether, a chilled (not frozen) washcloth, or a clean finger gently massaging the gums. For older babies, cold fruit purees or yogurt can also offer soothing pressure from the inside. None of these methods carry the risks associated with medicated products. As a teeth pain solution, these approaches focus on reducing discomfort without introducing anything artificial.
