7 Teething Remedies to Help Relieve Pain

Teething remedies can include massaging the baby's gums, giving an ice pop made from breast milk, or offering a teething ring. These methods can help alleviate discomfort and also provide a distraction. 

You can also try reflexology or infant massage to help relieve the discomfort associated with teething.

Pain from teething can make a baby irritable and cause symptoms like agitation, excessive drooling, red and swollen gums, and difficulty sleeping.

baby seated and chewing on a teething ring

Helpful strategies

Teething remedies that can help relieve pain associated with teething include:

1. Breast milk ice pops

An ice pop made from breast milk is a great way to help relieve pain related to teething because, in addition to being nutritious, the cold temperature can be soothing to the gums. To make a breast milk ice pop: 

  • Wash your hands well with soap and water and clean the areolas;
  • Express and discard the first few streams of breast milk;
  • Use a breast pump to collect your breast milk and transfer to a sterile ice pop mold;
  • Put the lid on the mold and place in a bowl with cold water and ice cubes for about 2 minutes;
  • Store in the freezer for no more than 15 days.

Breast milk ice pops should not be used as a substitute for a regular feeding and should only be used up to twice a day.

Also recommended: 10 Teething Symptoms in Babies: Drooling, Red Gums & More tuasaude.com/en/teething-symptoms

2. Carrot sticks

If you have already introduced solids to your baby, cold carrot sticks can be another good option for teething discomfort.

To make carrot sticks for teething:

  • Peel the carrots and cut them in medium-sized sticks;
  • Put them in the fridge for about 2 hours;
  • Offer them to your baby two or three times a day.

Make sure not to freeze the carrot sticks, as they would be too hard and could damage the baby's gums. 

3. Teething rings

Giving the baby a teething ring is a good way to help relieve pain and keep them entertained. Teething objects should be smooth, flat, and made especially for babies. They can be found at pharmacies as well as most stores that sell baby products. Make sure to clean the teether well before each use.

A good trick for increasing the effectiveness of a teething ring is to put it in the fridge before offering it to the baby.

4. Gum massage

Another technique to help alleviate pain from teething is to gently massage the baby's gums with a clean finger. In addition to relieving pain, it can also help entertain the baby and make the whole process more fun.

5. Shantala massage

This type of infant massage uses a series of techniques to help relax your baby. The skin to skin contact between the caregiver and the baby during the massage helps to strengthen attachment and relieve stress, in addition to decreasing tension and consequently the pain associated with teething. This massage can also help the baby to sleep better.

6. Reflexology

Reflexology is a technique that can be used to help alleviate pain associated with a baby's first teeth coming in, which usually happens at around 6 to 8 months of age. In addition to being calming and relaxing, this type of massage can help decrease irritability associated with teething pain.

Reflexology for teething pain involves three steps, and should be performed on both of the baby's feet, one at a time:

  1. Apply light pressure with your thumb to the underside of each toe, moving in a circular motion toward the base of the toe;
  2. Start by applying pressure to the toe with a bent thumb, working your way from the nail to the base of each toe in an undulating motion, as if your thumb were an inchworm crawling backwards;
  3. Gently apply pressure to the area between each toe and the baby's foot.

This last step will help to strengthen the baby's immune system and release toxins, helping to prevent fevers and opportunistic infections.

7. Camilia drops

Camilia drops are a homeopathic product indicated for the relief of teething pain accompanied by irritability as well as painful gums. Give one dose at the onset of symptoms and repeat after 15 minutes if needed. A maximum of nine doses can be given in a 24 hour period.

Do not use Camilia drops if your baby has an allergy to chamomile or any other ingredient in the formula. Stop taking and consult your pediatrician if symptoms do not improve within three days, or if your baby develops fever, swelling, or a rash.

Camilia drops have not been approved by the FDA, so make sure to ask your pediatrician if you have any concerns.