Natural Remedies for Teething

I happen to live in Oklahoma where we, as a state, suffer from allergy-related maladies at least two seasons of the year. Regardless of symptoms, allergies are always the culprit and we soldier on, tissue and eye drops in hand.

For babies and toddlers, the equivalent of allergies is teething. Baby can’t sleep? Teething. Toddler has a fever? Teething. Nonstop tantrums? You guessed it: Teething. Knowing this, I thought it would be helpful to share with you some natural teething remedies I have used over the last few years.

1. All things frozen. Simply place a wet rag, a carrot, a wooden spoon, or something hard and similar that isn’t small enough for baby to choke on, in the freezer. Each one of my three children have found relief from gnawing on hard, cold objects. These are great for freezing, as well. You can also put breast milk in a popsicle mold for babies who haven’t had any solids yet.
2. My husband has had success calming a teething baby by pushing down on the sore gums with his fingers.
3. Teething jewelry. I am so grateful that someone (likely a mompreneur) had the idea to create stylish necklaces to wear that baby can chew on. I would be useless to anyone around me if I didn’t wear my baby, so it’s nice for her to have a teething toy in her face that also goes with my outfit. Win win. I like this one.
4. Teething balm. This mixture of natural oils is a great way to provide relief for your baby’s sore gums.
5. Amber teething necklace. You can slip one of these on your child during the day (not when they’re sleeping!) When Baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skins warmth helps the amber release trace amounts of succinic acid which are then absorbed into the skin. This is helpful for pain relief.
6. Teething toys. Mom’s Milk Boutique has a wide selection of BPA-free toys that are safe for your child to chew. Several of the toys are dishwasher-safe as well as freezer-safe!

We have successfully made it through teething with two children and are in the thick of it with a third. I can honestly attest that, for our family, these remedies have help up each time.

Kara Garis is a cloth diapering, baby wearing, semi-crunchy mama to two active boys and a baby girl. She lives with her husband in Oklahoma and loves running, cooking, traveling, reading and teaching herself how to braid. She blogs at karagaris.com.