How to Soothe Your Teething Baby: Dos and Don'ts

If a teething baby is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep, you’re not alone. Babies begin teething at anywhere from 4 to 12 months, and it’s often one of the most uncomfortable development periods for your little one. If you’re a new parent, it can also be a distressing and overwhelming time.

Luckily, there are plenty of remedies that will help to relieve your baby’s discomfort, from teething rings to Frezyderm baby gums gel. For tips on how to soothe your teething baby - with remedies that actually work - keep reading.

What is teething?

While your baby technically develops teeth in the womb, most babies won’t begin seeing their first teeth emerge until around 6 months.

Put simply, the teething process begins when your baby’s first teeth begin to push through the delicate skin on the gums. As the teeth push through the gums, this often leads to tenderness and painful swelling.

What are the main signs of teething?

A teething baby will typically be fussier than usual, although this alone is not a sign of teething. A teething baby might also develop a raised temperature, red or flushed cheeks, and might drool more often than normal.

Other signs of teething include:

Chewing on toys and objects Extreme fussiness Difficulty sleeping Rash (usually caused by excess saliva and drooling)

Many parents notice that their baby’s teething is often worse at night. This is because the baby will be tired, grumpy, and will have fewer distractions to take their mind off the pain.

How to soothe a teething baby

So, how can you relieve your baby’s teething pain? You can find lots of wacky DIY home remedies and suggestions online, but we’d recommend sticking to the remedies that work:

Remedy #1 Use a teething gel

When it comes to soothing teething pain, our first recommendation will always be Frezyderm Baby Gums Gel. Having won prizes for the Best Teething Product and Best Children's Remedy in the Loved by Parents Awards in 2017, this product is a must-have for new mums and dads.

In general, teething gels are great because you can use them day or night. As teething babies tend to get fussier and more distressed at nighttime, a teething gel can work to soothe any pain while allowing your baby (and you!) to get some much-needed sleep.

Frezyderm Baby Gums Gel ingredients include clove, liquorice, myrrh and arnica, a herbal combination that is both anti-inflammatory and soothing. Frezyderm Baby Gums Gel works to:

Fight off pain caused by teething Reduce excess drooling and saliva production Minimise swelling on the gums Provide instant relief upon application

How to use: Massage a small amount of gel onto your baby’s gums gently.

Remedy #2 Distract and comfort

If your teething baby is fussing during the day, you can get more creative with your teething remedies. Many parents find that simply distracting the baby is enough to take their mind off their teething pain: you can do so with interactive games, cartoons, and various toys.

You should also cuddle and comfort your baby regularly during the teething period, as this will help soothe any distress or agitation they’re experiencing due to their discomfort.

Remedy #3 Wipe off saliva regularly

During the teething process, you might notice a red rash around your baby’s mouth. This is caused by the excess drooling and saliva, and can be avoided by regularly wiping any saliva from around your baby’s mouth.

While this remedy doesn’t fix the teething problem itself, it prevents any further pain or irritation for your baby.

Remedy #4 Teething rings

Another remedy many parents use is a teething ring or a “teether”. A teething ring is a toy that is safe for your baby to gnaw and chew on, and can help your baby self-soothe when experiencing teething pain.

However, it’s important to not let your baby gnaw or chew on any old toy: many plastic toys present a choking hazard to a baby, and can even become unsafe and sharp when broken or bitten. Most teething rings tend to be made of wood or other baby-safe materials.

What not to do

There are lots of homemade remedies online that might seem appealing to new and exhausted parents during the teething process. Here’s what we’d recommend not doing:

Don’t give your baby alcohol

It might seem obvious, but you shouldn’t apply alcohol to your baby’s gums during the teething process. Considered an old-school remedy, many still tout this method as a helpful DIY teething fix. However, no amount of alcohol is safe for a baby. Alcohol, even in small quantities, can end up irritating your baby’s throat and mouth.

Avoid teething necklaces

Teething necklaces represent a choking hazard for your baby, especially if the necklace is beaded or left on at night. Instead of using a teething necklace, use a teething ring and make sure to supervise your baby when they’re using it.

Final thoughts

The teething process can be an exhausting and an overwhelming time, especially if you’re a new parent. The good news is, your baby’s teething process will typically be complete by their 3rd birthday.

Don’t forget that teething shouldn’t make your baby ill. If you notice that your baby is displaying strange symptoms, has a high fever or is vomiting, call your doctor.