Home teething tips for babies

Home teething tips for babies

Physical and behavioural symptoms of teething

Some babies will not experience pain or discomfort, but common symptoms include:

• Sore and red gums. When they are opening their mouth, you may see swelling and redness on their gums. There should not be ulcers or blisters, but you may see raised bumps
• A mild temperature – but not a fever – and a flushed cheek. If your child’s got a fever (37.9 or over), you need to understand what is causing it and respond to it rather than putting it down to teething
• Gnawing and chewing. They may want to gnaw and chew on things for some relief.
• Dribbling more than usual. This can cause a rash on their face – this is called teething rash. Gently wiping away dripple regularly can help this.
• More fretful or whingy than usual. This is because they’re experiencing real discomfort.

Tips for helping a teething baby (NHS):

Teething can be distressing for some babies, but there are ways to make it easier for them.

Every baby is different, and you may have to try a few different things until you find something that works for your baby.

Teething rings

• Teething rings give your baby something to chew safely. This may ease their discomfort and distract them from any pain.
• Some teething rings can be cooled first in the fridge, which may help to soothe your baby’s gums.
• The instructions that come with the ring should tell you how long to chill it for.
• Never put a teething ring in the freezer, as it could damage your baby’s gums if it gets frozen.
• Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck, as it may be a choking hazard.

If your baby is chewing

One of the signs that your baby is teething is that they start to chew on their fingers, toys or other objects they get hold of.

If your baby is 6 months or older, you can give them healthy things to chew on, such as raw fruit and vegetables. Soft fruit like melon can soothe gums.

You could also try giving your baby a crust of bread or a breadstick.

Always watch when your baby is eating in case they choke.

Avoid any foods that contain lots of sugar, as this can cause tooth decay, even if your child only has a few teeth.