7 Tried & Tested Ways to Soothe Your Teething Baby

Babies develop at different rates but generally, babies’ teeth start to appear from around 6 months. This period of development is plagued with fusiness, crankiness and tears both for the baby and parents. Find tested and proven ways to ease this discomfort.

Classic signs and symptoms of teething include:

Drooling
Chewing on solid objects
Irritability or crankiness
Sore or tender gums
Many parents suspect that teething causes fever and diarrhea, but researchers say this isn’t true. Teething can cause signs and symptoms in the mouth and gums — but not elsewhere in the body says Mayo Clinic.

Cold Washcloth
Frozen or merely chilled, a cold wet washcloth (dipped in water, breast milk, or—as some mom’s swear by—chamomile tea) can be comforting for baby to gnaw on. -parenting.com

Teething rings
Teething rings give your baby something to safely chew on, which may ease their discomfort and provide a distraction from any pain.
Some teething rings can be cooled first in the fridge, which may help to soothe your baby’s gums. Follow the instructions that come with the ring so you know how long to chill it for. Never put a teething ring in the freezer as it could damage your baby’s gums if it becomes very hard or cold.
Also, never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck, as it may be a choking hazard.
A useful alternative to a teething ring is a cold, wet flannel.

Teething Gels
Babies over three to four months old may benefit from age-appropriate sugar-free teething gel. These often contain a mild anaesthetic and sometimes an antiseptic. Apply it to the affected area with a clean finger. If a younger baby is troubled by teething, seek advice from your health visitor or GP.

Try hard foods
If your baby is eating solid foods, you might offer something edible for gnawing —   such as a peeled and chilled cucumber or carrot. Keep a close eye on your baby, however. Any pieces that break off might pose a choking hazard.

Preventing teething rashes
If teething is making your baby dribble more than usual, make sure you frequently wipe their chin and the rest of their face. This will help to prevent them from developing a rash. You may also find it useful for your baby to sleep on an absorbent sheet.

Use counter-pressure
Run your freshly washed finger over those sore gums. The pressure might soothe the pain. Use your knuckles.Make sure your hands are washed, bend your pointer finger, and let him/her gnaw on your knuckle.Be aware that babies can chomp down fairly hard even without teeth!

Use over the counter pain reliever
Age-appropriate baby pain relief paracetamol or ibuprofen may help teething pain.