11 Teething Hacks to Calm Your Baby

When parents bring a new baby into the world, they are eager to watch their little one meet those long-awaited milestones. From holding their head up to walking on their own, these milestones bring joy and excitement to parents as they ooh and ahh. Yet, one of the most dreadful milestones is the cutting of teeth. While it's a necessary step in your baby's development, these days and nights can feel difficult for you and your baby. However, throughout the years, people have developed teething hacks to calm your baby that work wonders during those sleepless nights. These include store-bought products, folklore, and old wives' tales.

If you dread those nights when teething keeps you up and makes your baby cranky and irritable, try soothing them with one of these tried-and-true methods.

Typically, babies will begin cutting their first tooth between the ages of four and seven months old. However, anything before and after this range is also considered normal. Whether or not your child will cut their first tooth early or late may depend on genetics, but if you are concerned, consult your pediatrician for more information.

The first teeth to appear are often the two front bottom teeth. After this, the upper teeth usually make their appearance.

Parents everywhere often dread the teething phase because it usually comes with unwanted and miserable symptoms. Sometimes, a baby will cut a tooth with very little to no symptoms. When parents look in their babies' mouths and see a new tooth emerge without discomfort, they rejoice.

However, other times, teething comes with pain that causes a baby to feel irritable and cranky. Since babies cannot tell you what is wrong until they are much older, it is up to the parents to be observers. Parents can often tell what is wrong with their babies based on their symptoms. When it comes to teething, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

• Swollen gums
• Drooling
• Constant chewing on a variety of things
• Cranky
• Irritable
• Unable to sleep well
• Ear pulling
• Elevated temperature (around 99 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Crying
• Face rash
• Tender gums
• Flushed cheeks

While your child may not have all these symptoms when cutting teeth, they may have a couple. Keep your eyes out for one, two, or more of these symptoms. If you suspect your baby may be cutting teeth, try one of these teething hacks to calm your baby.

One of the simplest teething hacks to calm your baby comes from your finger. Make sure to wash your hands with warm water and soap. Then, gently rub your baby's gums. You will be able to tell if their gums are swollen and tender. A gentle gum massage can relieve your baby, and you may immediately notice them chomping down on your finger.

Pressure can relieve your baby's gum pain. So, if you give your baby a gum massage and notice they are chewing hard on your fingers, try applying pressure. You can apply pressure to your baby's swollen gums by pressing down gently. This is simple but has been proven to comfort an uncomfortable teething baby.

Since your baby's gums are swollen, hard and cool items bring comfort. A common remedy that has been around for years is the cold spoon. Place a metal spoon in the freezer for a few hours or overnight to do this simple hack. When your baby feels irritable and uncomfortable, let them have a spoon to chew on. The coolness will bring relief, and having something hard to chew on helps alleviate pain.

Another common remedy is teething rings. While many are on the market today, the best are non-gel silicone rings. They are usually made without BPA and phthalates.

Babies who are teething love to gum anything, and while cold objects feel great on their swollen gums, you do not want the teethers to be too cold. If your teethers are frozen or too cold, they may bruise your baby's gums. So, try the refrigerator instead of putting the teethers in the freezer.

It is also important to watch your baby while they have a teething ring and never tie one around their neck.

Sometimes, the pain is too much, and a baby needs a little help feeling more comfortable. If this is the case, talk to your doctor about giving your baby over-the-counter pain medication.

Typically, the safest choice is acetaminophen (Tylenol) if your baby is over two months old. Before you give your baby any medication, talk to your doctor first about the safest choice and best dosage.

Babies who are teething can be comforted by chewing on something cool. If you are in a pinch and do not have a teething ring available, try a cool washcloth.

Be sure the washcloth is clean, then wet it and place it in the refrigerator. The washcloth's coolness can help reduce your baby's inflammation during teething.

Many parents are turning to a new hack to comfort their teething babies: freezing breastmilk. There are many popsicle molds specifically for frozen "momsicles," or you can use a pouch.

Pour the fresh breastmilk into the popsicle molds or place the frozen breastmilk into a teething pouch. This simple hack will comfort your teething baby and provide them with nutrition. It's a win-win.

Many brands of teething biscuits are on the market today, or you can make your healthy version at home.

These biscuits are suitable for older babies ready to be introduced to solid food. The biscuit brings relief by allowing the baby to bite down on something hard.

Another simple hack for teething baby pain relief includes offering cool or frozen foods. Never leave a baby eating frozen food unattended. Frozen teethers and food can hurt a baby's gums; therefore, be careful when offering anything frozen to your baby. However, some parents recommend trying slightly thawed purees, frozen bread, or frozen bananas in a mesh chewer for pain relief.

Another option includes offering your child cold food if they have been introduced to solids, like a cool banana puree or applesauce.

Another hack similar to a cool washcloth is using a muslin teething knot. The cotton fabric of muslin is smooth and soft. Parents often use these squares instead of harsher washcloths for their babies.

To make a muslin teething knot:

1. Use two or three muslin squares and tie the ends into a knot.
2. Dip the knots together in breastmilk or water, then put them in a Ziplock bag.
3. Place the muslin teething knots in the freezer for 15-30 minutes.

This allows the knots to become cool but not frozen.

Using chamomile tea to soothe a baby's sore gums is an old wife's tale that many parents swear by. Since chamomile tea is an herbal remedy that has anti-inflammatory properties, many parents feel comfortable using it for their babies. While some babies may be allergic to it, chamomile tea is typically safe.

Brew a weak chamomile tea to use this hack and allow it to cool. Then, dip a washcloth in the tea and let your baby chew on it.

While many teething hacks work wonders and are safe for babies, the FDA no longer recommends a couple of hacks.

The first hack that the FDA warns against is using any type of teething jewelry. Those cute little teething necklaces and bracelets can pose a choking hazard to your baby. So, when in doubt, steer clear of the jewelry. All it takes is a second for something fatal to happen.

The second teething hack the FDA no longer recommends is using teething gels. While they are still on the shelves of many stores, the FDA disapproves.

According to the FDA, topical medications often have benzocaine or lidocaine in them. The use of benzocaine in young children can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia, which can be fatal. Additionally, lidocaine can cause heart issues or brain injuries.

If you have a teething baby, it may feel like the days and nights will never end. Most parents want nothing more than to bring comfort to their babies when they are in pain. As a parent, there are so many options for teething hacks to calm your baby that are safe and simple.

Be sure to supervise your baby if they are using any teether or frozen foods. Additionally, avoid the more dangerous options like teething jewelry and gels. Before you know it, you both will be past the teething phase and have your happy-go-lucky baby back again!