Natural Remedies for a teething baby

Lately, I must admit, I have not been getting much sleep. The struggle has been real since the birth of our youngest son. The first few weeks we brought him home were rough due to breastfeeding. You would think after four previous kids I would be a pro, but just like each pregnancy is different, each breastfeeding experience is different. For me, it was always trying to get the initial latching of baby to breast down and then waiting for my milk to come in. That’s a story for another day. If you need breastfeeding tips or encouragement, you can find that here.

When it comes to bedtime in a house full of children, that special hour is GOLDEN. It's the time of night when we as parents get to relax and unravel for the day.

When there's a new little one in the house, time is shaved, and you can count on the new baby to keep you even busier.

I always tell myself it's going to be okay because I know it's temporary, but it still doesn’t make things easier. It’s not easy on baby either. Baby is trying to get adapted to being outside of the comfortable enclosed womb that he's been in for all his life until now. Once your baby begins to figure it out, they begin to sleep a little longer at night. Well, at least this was the way it was with all my children. The first few months were rough and then they slept well for 2-3 more months. Once you start to enjoy the sleep that you had been deprived of for so long (feels like a century) you wake up one night and realize it has started all over again............

Does this sound familiar?

Every night, for the past week, at 2:00 am on the dot, your baby has been waking up. You’ve worked so hard to get your little one to sleep through the night and now it feels like you’re starting all over again.

What in the world is going on?

This happens to a majority of parents and I’m here to tell you that most of the time it’s because baby is going through the teething process. The teething process is tough on everyone.

Teething is a stage that every baby must go through and starts anywhere from as early as 4 months old to 3 years old. Every baby is different, so the timing will vary for each. Normally, little ones get their lower central incisors aka lower front teeth first and then their upper central incisors aka top front teeth next. Sometimes they will even have all four top teeth come in all at once as you see in the picture. Yikes! Can you imagine? Not one but four coming in at a time? A painful sensation is felt as your baby's teeth are slowly pushing through the gums. If you’ve ever had wisdom teeth, then you can probably relate. This is a tough process for parents and babies. You may even feel overwhelmed and that’s okay. Just try to remember that this doesn’t last long, and that baby is probably just as irritable as you, if not worse.

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During this process, there are several things you can do to help ease the process for your baby.

Below are some safe and natural methods you can use to help ease the discomfort your little one is going through.

1. Rub your baby's gums.

You can do this with a clean finger or a baby toothbrush using slight pressure. The Nuby banana massage toothbrush has been around for a long time and it's still very popular among babies. If you decide to use your finger just make sure you always wash your hands first. Gentlry rub your baby's gums using slow, circular motions with gentle but firm pressure. Be gentle and watch for your baby's reaction. Regular gum massages can help ease teething pain and even promote healthy oral development.

2. Give them a cold washcloth.

A cold washcloth is a simple and effective way to relieve a teething baby’s pain and soreness. Here’s how it helps:

Soothes Sore Gums – The cold temperature helps numb the gums, reducing inflammation and discomfort.
Provides Gentle Pressure – Biting or sucking on the washcloth offers mild counterpressure, easing teething pain.
Safe & Natural – Free from chemicals or medications, making it a safe option for babies.
Easy to Prepare – Simply wet a clean washcloth, wring out excess water, and chill it in the fridge (not the freezer) before giving it to the baby.
Encourages Self-Soothing – Babies can chew or suck on it independently, providing comfort and relief.

A cold washcloth is a convenient, mess-free, and cost-effective way to help a teething baby feel better. This baby loved chewing on anything he could get his hands on, even in the bath tub.

3. Cold Pureed Foods

Offer your baby cold pureed foods such as applesauce, yogurt, pears, etc. Whatever your baby likes. Yogurt pops are also great because you can freeze them and then cut them in half for a nice chilled treat. You can also give them frozen fruit in a baby mesh food holder. These are teething tools designed to help soothe sore gums while introducing new flavors and textures safely. Here’s a quick summary:

Design & Purpose – It consists of a mesh or silicone pouch with a handle, allowing babies to gnaw on frozen fruits, veggies, or breast milk without choking.
Soothing Relief – The cold temperature numbs sore gums, providing comfort during teething.
Safe Food Introduction – Helps babies explore new tastes and textures while reducing choking hazards.
Easy to Use – Simply fill the pouch with frozen or fresh foods, secure the top, and hand it to the baby.
Mess-Free & Portable – Minimizes mess while offering a convenient, on-the-go snack option.
Easy to Clean – Most are dishwasher-safe or can be easily rinsed under warm water.

These holders are a great way to help teething babies while promoting self-feeding skills.

4. Distraction.

Distraction is a helpful technique for soothing a teething baby by shifting their focus away from discomfort. Here’s a quick summary of how it works:

Engaging Activities – Playing with toys, tickling, cuddling, reading books, or singing songs can capture a baby’s attention and reduce fussiness.
Sensory Play – Letting them explore different textures, colors, and sounds helps keep their mind off teething pain.
Outdoor Time – A change of scenery, such as a walk outside, can provide fresh air and new sights to distract and calm them.
Interactive Play – Games like peekaboo or gentle tickling can bring smiles and redirect their focus.

By keeping a teething baby engaged, distraction can be a simple yet effective way to provide comfort during this uncomfortable phase. Babies love all the attention they can squeeze out of mommy or daddy.

5. Rubber or silicone chew toys.

Out of all the teething toys we've given to our children, we like these the best. We received this silicone teething toy as a gift from some close friends and at first, I thought it was some kind of joke. We were getting ready to eat dinner and he handed us a rib teether to give to the baby. We laughed and then watched our little guy go to town on it. What's great about this toy is that it's BPA, Phthalate, PVC, and Lead-free. It also comes in several varieties such as chicken wing, bacon, broccoli, carrots, pineapple, pizza, ice cream, and several others. This makes a perfect baby shower gift and you'll have everyone laughing at the thought of it. You can find similar teethers here.

6. Teething mitten.

Teething mittens are specially designed to help relieve a baby’s sore gums while preventing them from excessively chewing on their hands. Here’s how they help:

Soothes Sore Gums – The textured silicone or fabric on the mitten provides gentle relief as babies chew and gnaw.
Prevents Skin Irritation – Stops babies from chewing directly on their hands, reducing the risk of rashes and chapped skin.
Encourages Safe Chewing – Provides a safe, non-toxic surface for babies to explore with their mouths.
Stays in Place – The adjustable strap keeps the mitten secure, preventing it from falling or getting lost.
Engages & Distracts – Many mittens have crinkly fabric or bright colors to keep babies entertained while soothing their gums.
Hygienic & Easy to Clean – Unlike traditional teething toys, mittens stay on the baby’s hand, minimizing drops and mess; they are also washable for easy maintenance.

Teething mittens offer a convenient, hands-free way to comfort teething babies while protecting their delicate skin.

Teething mittens come in several varieties and help prevent baby's hands from getting red and chapped.

7. Breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can be a natural and effective way to soothe a teething baby. Here’s how it helps:

Comfort & Security – The familiar act of nursing provides emotional reassurance, helping to calm a fussy baby.
Natural Pain Relief – Sucking triggers the release of endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers.
Gentle Pressure on Gums – The sucking motion massages sore gums, offering relief from teething discomfort.
Warmth & Familiarity – The warmth of breast milk and close bonding with the mother can be soothing for a distressed baby.
Hydration & Nutrition – Keeps the baby well-hydrated and nourished, which is especially important if teething makes them less interested in solid foods.

Breastfeeding during teething not only helps with pain relief but also strengthens the mother-baby bond during this challenging phase. There's nothing better than the warmth and comfort of momma.

As much as I prefer to use natural methods the majority of the time, I do agree there is a time and place for medicine. Some babies just really need something to take the edge off, especially when it's the middle of the night and they just can't sleep. If your baby is getting no relief and is simply just having a horrible time, you can always use Tylenol or Ibuprofen.

Be sure to talk to your child's pediatrician first. Both of these medications can be harmful if taken incorrectly or if used in conjunction with other medications. These medications are also dosed based upon your child's weight so you will also need an accurate weight on your little one so they are not over or underdosed.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope you and your baby get some relief soon. Thanks for reading!