It's so hard to see our little ones in pain. Lucky for you and your baby, we're here to help! Medical experts — and moms like you — share their tried-and-true tips for comforting a teething baby.
Keep Orajel on Hand
"I love using the Orajel Non-Medicated Cooling Gels on Lee Lee's gums when she's teething. She can be such a grump when she's in pain. So I just dab a bit on a cotton swab and rub it on her gums. It's benzocaine-free and she's usually back to smiling pretty quick."
— Jennifer Borget, writer and mom of three
'There are multiple ways to soothe your child'
"It is very common for a child to feel uncomfortable with each tooth eruption, and there are multiple ways to soothe your child. You may use a clean finger to massage their gums (a gum-cleansing finger brush is good for this too), clean rubber teething toy (chilled), and lastly, what I recommend to most of my patients is a combination of a chilled gum cleanser finger brush with Baby Orajel non-medicated, benzocaine free, cooling gel for teething."
— Jessica (J.J.) Smith, CPNP-AC, CPN, board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner currently practicing in acute care medicine at Dayton Children's Hospital in Dayton, Ohio
Get creative
"I was a big fan of teethers that we kept in the freezer. Chewing on something cold seemed to help. I'd also offer foods that were good to gnaw on, in large pieces that couldn't be accidentally swallowed, such as a bagel or a watermelon rind. As for medicine, under 6 months, we used acetaminophen but after 6 months we gave ibuprofen because the pain relief lasts longer, allowing for a better night's sleep."
— Amy Wruble, mom of two
Chill out — literally
"Anything and everything chilled. My baby loved having a wet, then frozen, washcloth to chew on."
— Gretchen Bossio, blogger and mom of four
This one's messy, but it works!
"My favorite advice for new moms is to use those little mesh bags meant for keeping baby from choking on food, filled with crushed ice. Plop baby someplace safe (we used the exersaucer) and let them chomp away. Be prepared for a very wet baby, but it's totally worth it."
— Naomi Naughton, Mom.com team and mom of four
Think outside the box
"All three of my babies were different. One liked to chomp on a frozen washcloth, another liked to gnaw on carrots (large enough to not be a choking hazard). My youngest is currently teething and prefers a chilled spoon."
— Kristina Nagle, Mom.com team and mom of three
Pain relievers can help
"Ibuprofen is a good over-the-counter medicine. You can also use Orajel for those times that they are in a lot of pain."
— Dr. Melissa Weintraub, dentist, blogger, and mom of three
Ask your mother
"A rubber teether is definitely something good to have if you suspect your baby may be teething. My mom's trick was pretty good too: Put a wet washcloth in the freezer for a few minutes and let your baby chew on it."
— Johanna Torres, Mom.com team and mom of three
Massage and (sometimes) medication
"Cold compresses and massage! Frozen teething rings can offer baby temporary relief. Some babies appreciate having their gums gently massaged, as well. Infant acetaminophen might also be helpful for babies who are teething and exhibiting signs of discomfort (discuss with baby’s care provider)."
— Wendy C., mom of three
*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
