How to Soothe a Teething Baby: Natural Teething Remedies and More

When your baby starts teething, it can be a challenging time for both you and your little one. While over-the-counter medications exist, many parents seek natural teething remedies to soothe discomfort without relying on synthetic ingredients. Common natural options include chilled (not frozen) teething rings, cold washcloths for chewing, and gentle gum massages.

In the next section, we’ll explore each of these teething remedies in more detail to help you find what works best and learn how to use them safely.

When Does Teething Start and What Are the Symptoms?

Teething typically begins around 6 months of age, though some babies start earlier or later. This natural process happens when a baby’s first teeth (also called primary teeth) begin to break through the gums. Common signs of teething include:

• Drooling

• Chewing on hands or objects

• Irritability or fussiness

• Swollen, tender gums

• Low-grade fever (under 100.4°F).

If your baby is showing any of these signs, they might be teething. Fortunately, many natural teething remedies can offer comfort and relief.

Curious how teething fits into your baby’s development? Track key milestones and see what’s coming next.

Natural Teething Remedies

When you’re seeking some teething pain relief for your baby, it’s comforting to know there are safe, natural ways to help ease their discomfort. So, if you’re wondering how to help your teething baby, below are gentle options that are backed by our trusted medical sources for you to try at home. Of course, if in doubt, always consult your healthcare provider.

1. Teething Toys and Rings

Why it helps: Babies love to chew when teething. A baby teething toy or teething ring made from food-grade silicone or rubber provides a safe and satisfying texture for sore gums.

Safety tip: Avoid teething toys with gel fillings, hard plastic, or detachable parts. Refrigerate (don’t freeze) for extra relief. Gloves for teething can also be soothing and easy for small hands to use.

2. Cold or Frozen Items

Cold relief can numb sore gums. It’s important to note that you should only give babies frozen or cold food once they have started solids. Try these cool options:

• Cold washcloth: A popular method is using a frozen washcloth for teething. Simply wet a clean cloth, wring it out, and chill it in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes. Once cool, fold it and give it to your baby to chew on, which may help relieve those sore gums. 

• Frozen fruit: Once you’ve introduced your baby to solid foods, which typically occurs around 6 months, you can help soothe those sore gums with a tasty snack of chilled mashed bananas, applesauce, strawberries, melon, or other soft fruits. You could also use a mesh teether to put chilled fruit inside.

3. Breastmilk and Breastfeeding

It’s common for parents to wonder if they can continue breastfeeding while their baby is teething, and they often ask, “Does breastfeeding help with teething?” You can, of course, still breastfeed when your little one starts teething. While not a direct teething remedy, many parents find that breastfeeding during teething helps comfort their baby through closeness and soothing suckling. 

According to La Leche League International, some babies may nurse more frequently when teething for comfort, while others may temporarily pull away if their gums are sore.

If your baby bites or finds it difficult to latch during feeding, try offering a chilled teether or a gentle gum massage just beforehand to help numb the gums and reduce the urge to bite.

4. Cup Feeding

If your baby is older than 6 months, you can give them a sippy cup with cold water to help soothe their gums. You could also give them breastmilk in a cup if you’re having difficulty breastfeeding while your little one is teething.

5. Massage for Gums and Face

Gently massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger when they’re teething can ease pressure and pain. After washing your hands, use your fingers to carefully rub your baby’s gums with gentle, circular motions. Your baby might instinctively start to suck or chew on your fingers, and that’s OK, too!

Massaging their gums can be especially calming before naps and bedtime.

Related Articles

When Do Babies Start Teething? Signs, Timeline, & Care Tips

6. Herbal Teething Remedies (Use With Caution)

Some parents explore natural teething remedies like chamomile or clove oil. Here’s what trusted sources say:

• Chamomile. Small studies suggest that chamomile may help relieve teething symptoms like drooling and irritability when used topically in a water-based extract. Parents sometimes use diluted, caffeine-free chamomile tea to soak a clean washcloth or gently massage the gums. Always check with your healthcare provider before trying this.

• Clove oil. While clove contains eugenol, a compound with potential numbing properties, clove oil is not recommended for infants due to risks of toxicity, irritation, and lack of pediatric safety data.

Important: Always consult your baby’s healthcare provider before trying any herbal remedy. Products like belladonna or other homeopathic drops have been linked to serious health risks and are not recommended.

7. Comfort and Cuddles

Cuddles, warm baths, and calming music can’t cure teething pain, but they can ease your baby’s stress and help them relax. Try these soothing strategies:

• Cuddles or babywearing during the day

• Gentle lullabies at bedtime

• Extra snuggles and rocking.

A relaxed baby may cope better with the discomfort of teething.

Teething Medicine for Babies

If natural teething remedies aren’t enough, your healthcare provider may suggest over-the-counter options, like infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (only for babies over 6 months). Always follow dosage instructions exactly.

Avoid These Products:

• Teething gels with benzocaine or lidocaine: Not safe for infants, according to the FDA.

• Homeopathic teething tablets: Linked to safety concerns like seizures.

Speak to your child’s healthcare provider before using any medicine and to find the best medicine for your teething baby.

Teething Treatments: What to Avoid

Not all remedies are safe. Avoid these popular—but risky—methods:

Teething Necklaces, Bracelets, and Other Jewelry

Experts do not recommend using teething necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry, including amber teething necklaces and bracelets, as they are a choking hazard. Teething necklaces can also cause mouth injuries or infections and, in rare cases, strangulation.

Teething Medicines with Benzocaine or Lidocaine

As mentioned above, the best teething medicine is whatever your child’s healthcare provider recommends. Many teething gels and ointments for babies can either wash out of your child’s mouth before getting the chance to be effective or are harmful if swallowed in large amounts. For example, medicines containing benzocaine or lidocaine can even be fatal.

Homeopathic Teething Remedies

Again, always heed the advice of your baby’s healthcare provider when it comes to using teething gels, ointments, tablets, or other medications for babies. Some common ingredients, like belladonna, have been linked to medical issues, such as seizures.

Sleep is important to both your little one and you! For some soothing sounds for baby (and you!), incorporate Tiny Tales from Pampers into a relaxing bedtime routine.

Listen to Tiny Tales

How to Soothe a Teething Baby at Night

Baby teething pain can strike at any time, including at night when your little one is sleeping. If your teething baby is waking up at night, you may be searching for ways to soothe pain while sleeping. Though there aren’t any techniques specific to nighttime teething, you can use the general home remedies for your teething baby at night, too. 

You can also incorporate the following soothing tips into your regular bedtime routine to help soothe and calm your little one:

• Bedtime bath. A warm, relaxing bath can help your little one settle down and fall asleep, especially when they’re feeling some discomfort from teething.

• Nighttime cuddles. Before putting your baby down for the night, do some cuddling and rocking. This is calming for babies at any time, but could be especially helpful at bedtime to prepare for sleep while soothing any discomfort.

• Massage. As your little one drifts off to sleep, use your clean fingers to massage their gums. You might even see your baby nodding off with this technique!

• Cool washcloth. Before bed, let your baby suck on a cool, clean washcloth. The soothing effect can help relieve any discomfort as your little one gets sleepy.

Better Nights Start Here.

When teething disrupts sleep, comfort matters more than ever. Try Pampers Zzz overnight diapers for extra overnight protection and Pampers Sensitive Wipes for gentle cleanups that keep baby comfortable from bedtime to morning.

When to Call Your Baby’s Healthcare Provider

Besides being aware of what to avoid when it comes to teething soothers, it also helps to know when to contact your baby’s healthcare provider. 

Many parents wonder if teething can cause fever, especially at night. Although a slightly elevated temperature, sometimes called a low-grade fever, is possible, teething generally doesn’t cause fever. If your little one has a rectal temperature higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s not likely due to teething, and you should contact their healthcare provider.

In addition to consulting your baby’s healthcare provider about fever, contact them in the following situations:

• Inconsolable crying. Teething shouldn’t cause excessive crying or discomfort. How to soothe a teething baby is about reducing mild discomfort, as teething wouldn’t be the cause of extreme or inconsolable pain.

• Diarrhea. Likewise, if your baby is experiencing diarrhea, it’s probably not due to teething.

• Reduced appetite. Although teething can cause swollen and tender gums, it shouldn’t necessarily interrupt feedings. Contact your child’s healthcare provider if teething appears to cause a lack of appetite or the discomfort interferes with eating or drinking.

The Bottom Line

Teething can be tough, but it’s a natural and temporary part of your baby’s development. By using safe, natural teething remedies like chilled washcloths, gum massage, breastfeeding, and chilled rubber chewing toys, you can offer your little one comfort and relief. Always talk with your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or don’t improve.

And remember, once those little teeth start popping through, it’s time to start brushing!