Effective Ways to Soothe a Teething Baby Without Medicine

Your little one might start teething as early as 3 months, or she might wait until her first birthday to sprout that first pearly white. No matter what age your baby is, teething can be a painful process that makes her irritable. Even if you don̵7;t see a tooth popping out from the gums, your baby might show symptoms that let you know she̵7;s teething and in need of comfort: irritability, drooling and chewing everything in sight are typical signs.

  1. Cold

    • Cold objects help soothe the pain and discomfort associated with teething -- much like they do when you have sore muscles. Refrigerated teething rings come in a variety of colors and styles to pique your baby's interest, and they are safe for teething babies to chew on. Buy teething rings that are filled with water and only put the ring in the refrigerator; freezing them could damage your baby̵7;s gums, according to BabyCenter.com. Chilling a damp washcloth in the freezer for an hour and letting your little one suck on it can also help. If your baby has already started solids, give her frozen fruits and vegetables in a mesh feeder to chew on and soothe her pain.

    Massage

    • Massage your baby̵7;s gums with a clean finger. Gently rub over the area that̵7;s bothering her with a light pressure. Use a cool washcloth to add a little relief while providing pressure. If you̵7;re not sure where in her mouth her teeth are erupting, massage the two places your baby is likely to get her first teeth: the top and bottom front.

    Pressure

    • Your baby might not like cold items in her mouth, but having something to chew on can create comforting pressure. Try a room-temperature teething ring or teething toy. Hard, edible foods can also provide pressure, such as peeled carrots or teething biscuits.

    Distraction

    • Distract your baby with new toys -- but you don̵7;t need to buy new toys just because she̵7;s teething. Instead, rotate out her toy stock with different toys so she̵7;s not playing with the same toys each day. If toys don̵7;t distract her, take her for a walk in the stroller or visit the park to distract her from the teething pain. Babies at this age are pretty easily distracted by all that's going on around them.

    Comfort

    • While suffering from teething, your baby wants to be close to you. Oblige her with snuggles and extra attention. If you̵7;re sleep training, keep to your day and night routines, but give her comfort if she needs it in the middle of the night. If your baby favors her swing or bouncy seat, use them for distractions when you cannot hold her.

    Considerations

    • Not all babies have the same symptoms while teething. Some babies might not drool much while others drool constantly. Watch for the common symptoms, but be on the lookout for other things that may be causing her discomfort. A low-grade fever is normal for your baby to have while teething, but if she runs a high fever -- typically over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit -- is uncomfortable or shows symptoms of another illness (vomiting, coughing or diarrhea), contact her physician, suggests MayoClinic.com. Also, help ward off bacteria buildup by wiping your baby̵7;s gums with a clean, wet washcloth each day. Once your baby has her first tooth, clean it using a soft toothbrush rinsed in clean water. Your little one doesn̵7;t need toothpaste until she̵7;s old enough to spit, which is at least age 2.

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