Home Remedies: Teething

A close friend of mine, who writes the blog My Sweet Wolf, recently wrote a post about the trials she is enduring as her baby boy begins a most dreaded phase: Teething. This inspired me to do some research on things you can do at home to sooth the pain and discomfort associated with this stage of development. Because extensive and obsessive research is my answer to all of life's problems.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as medical advice. I am not a doctor or even a parent. This post simply represents the results of my research. All of my sources are cited throughout. This post, obviously, is no substitute for advice from a real doctor.

First off, it seems that the simplest solution is, again, the best one: Let your baby chew. According to TLC Family, anything that is chewy, non-toxic, clean and not going to choke the baby is fair game. But that's way too general. That article from TLC gives some great solutions for baby-safe teething options. Here are some highlights along with suggestions I found elsewhere:

A frozen banana - Peel a banana and freeze the whole thing. Let your baby gnaw on that. The baby should  love the sweet flavor and the cold will help to sooth his gums.

Chamomile Tea Pops- Chamomile tea has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly as a calming herb. A few studies have even shown that chamomile can be effective in calming children with colic and may also help to sooth a teething baby. Make the tea as you normally would and freeze it into ice cubes or pops for your baby. Although the studies showed no adverse side effects from chamomile in infants, it should be noted that an allergy to chamomile is possible.

Cold Carrots- Wash or peel a whole carrot fresh out of the fridge and give that to your baby. Again, the cold will help relieve some of his pain.

A Word About Pain Killers
Children's strength pain relievers, such as Tylenol, can be used but should never be given to a baby more than 3 times in one day. Always consult your doctor before giving your baby any medication. Pain-killers can have serious effects on children and infants if not used properly. Never give your baby aspirin, as this can cause a life-threatening condition called Reye Syndrome.

Numbing gels are also available and can be applied to the babies gum for temporary relief, lasting about 30 to 40 minutes. Again, talk to your doctor before using these products.