by Tracy Wilson

Created on: August 21, 2010   Last Updated: August 22, 2010

Teething pains can come and go from the tender age of three months up to around three years.  Indeed, one day your baby will have twenty teeth!  This does not necessarily mean that he will endure twenty teething episodes, as teeth often come through in pairs, however, teething can happen in two stages, the first when the teeth begin growing up towards the gum, and the second when the tooth breaks (cuts) the gum.  As such, having a variety of suggestions up your sleeve to try and ease your baby’s discomfort is useful.  Apart from different remedies working for different babies, what might work this time, might not work next time.

In order to ease your baby’s pain or discomfort, age appropriate teething gel can be gently rubbed onto their gums.  However, a more effective alternative to teething gel is Ambusol, which is a liquid anaesthetic.  Unlike gels which can often slip and slide around the mouth before getting swallowed, Ambusol is absorbed immediately into the gum as it is a liquid.  This cuts back on medication being inadvertently swallowed by your baby. 

Teething rings that have been placed in the fridge are also useful when trying to ease your baby’s teething pains.  Remember to never put teething rings in the freezer as this could cause damage to your baby’s gums.

If your baby is old enough for finger foods, try giving your baby hard unsweetened biscuits, bickiepegs, a whole carrot (peeled and chilled) or a frozen fruit ice-lolly if your child is old enough.  Avoid the ice-lolly late at night due to the sugar content, and always remember to supervise your baby with food in case of choking.

There are homeopathic teething powders that are also available at most chemists.  As with all alternative medicines, there is no conclusive proof that they work; however, some mothers do claim that they help the baby a lot.

On the topic of alternative medicines, some parents have successfully eased their baby’s teething pains by rubbing a little pure vanilla extract onto their baby’s gums.  The vanilla can be soothing for any teething-related upset tummies and can also calm their frayed nerves. 

Natural liquorice is also a good natural remedy suggested for teething pains.  Available from herb/health food shops, liquorice is cooling on the gums and has natural numbing properties.  (Make sure you get the stick type that looks like a small twig,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>