Teething can be a stressful time for both babies and parents. Seeing your baby in discomfort and at times inconsolable hurts any parent’s heart. It can also leave us wondering what we can do to help alleviate the pain. The first step is to know what to look for in spotting teething.
Signs of Teething
Some signs are obvious, whereas other signs may be hard to attribute to teething. There is no magic age when teething starts or ends with babies. In fact, did you know that even some newborns are born with teeth?! Typically, teething symptoms will start between 3-6 months of age and may end up to around 2-3 years of age (when molars appear).
Here’s what to look for in terms of spotting teething:
Swollen gums
Drooling
Disruptive or restless sleep
Chewing fingers or other objects
Irritability (increase in crying)
Frustrated and inconsistent feeding whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding (due to swollen gums)
Appearance of tooth buds (also known as “cutting” of the teeth in the gumline)
“So, I’m pretty sure my baby is teething. Now what do I do?”
For some parents, Infant’s Tylenol is a regular go-to and can certainly be effective in reducing the pain and inflammation of gums. Meanwhile, other parents may choose to take a more naturally-minded approach but don’t know where to start and may not have the time to prepare homemade remedies.
Here are some recommended tips for natural pain remedies for your fussy babies and toddlers. Whether your little one starts teething at 3 months or when those pesky 2 year-old molars start cutting, it’s never too late to try some of these recommended approaches and products.
Pro Tip Recommendations to Relieve Symptoms of Teething
1. Punkin Butt Teething Oil
This product is one that we recommend often to our parents. And it’s one that has worked well in our own households. Punkin Butt Teething Oil is a 100% natural and safe remedy to use directly on your baby’s gums. Simply dab a little on your clean finger or drop some oil on your baby’s favorite teething toy and then massage gently into the swollen gums for immediate pain relief. We have literally seen babies sigh with relief after the oil is applied to their gums. It’s safe, effective and easy to buy online or in person at Greg’s Pottery in downtown Fayetteville.
2. ZoLi Gummy Teething Sticks
There are several teething chew sticks on the market. The one we rave about most to the parents we support is ZoLi Gummy Stick. These gum massaging teethers are a favorite with babies and toddlers due to it’s easy to hold design and ability to reach all the way back to the rear molars. Parents love them because they have a safety stop guard to avoid any gagging and also a hole at the end to attach to strollers with pacifier clips. These teethers also make an excellent combination with the Punkin Butt Teething Oil. Simply dip the clean teething stick directly into the bottle and then use it to gently massage baby’s gums (getting the numbing sensation of the oil and massage of the stick). Tip: Be sure to buy the ZoLi gummy stick which is longer than the Zoli chubby gummy version.
3. Amber Teething Necklaces
Amber teething necklaces come in different sizes (infant, toddler and adult) and types of ambers (designs, colors and raw vs polished). The active ingredient in Baltic amber (succinic acid) is known to have anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and soothing properties. The most important things to look for when purchasing amber necklaces is to ensure they are real (yes, unfortunately people sell fake merchandise online), that it is the proper size for your child, and it meets safety and quality standards. For more information on choosing amber necklaces and to learn what to look for when purchasing them online, visit The Natural Mama’s Guide to Amber Teething Necklaces. Also available at Greg’s Pottery and Prima Elements Holistic Center in downtown Fayetteville.
4. Babywearing
What fussy teething babies need most is a lot of loving comfort and patience. Teething will happen no matter what you’re doing and often times at the most inconvenient moments or places. All baby wants in that moment is to be held and comforted. Wouldn’t we all when we’re in pain? That’s where babywearing can be a lifesaver. The closeness to mom or dad and the calming effect of being carried helps soothe most babies. It also helps parents to continue on their tasks with free hands. If you are interested in learning more about baby carriers and babywearing, we can help you as part of our postpartum support services. We offer 30 minute baby-wearing consultations at our agency office in Downtown Fayetteville. You can also learn more by joining the local chapter of The Carrying On Project of Fort Bragg/Fayetteville.
Need more pro tips or an extra pair of helping hands?
Contact us for a free consult on our postpartum support services today. Our doulas specialize in newborn and infant care and are First Aid / CPR-certified. Whether you need extra help during the day or a trained professional to stay overnight to care for your baby while you sleep, we would love to discuss how we can meet your needs.
