Your little one is crying and miserable. Can’t sleep (any of you). Can’t relax even when awake. Teething can be so rough on a little one sometimes.
I understand.
Many parents will give up and simply turn to using Motrin or Tylenol. But seriously, don’t do that!
Both of those drugs are dangerous. They come with the risk of liver failure. They deplete glutathione. They can harm your baby’s gut health. I would never use those drugs. Honestly, I haven’t used them since my oldest was a baby (she’s 15 years old now) when I didn’t know better. I don’t even keep them in my home anymore, and haven’t for several years.
I know, that’s not a very controversial view to some. But it’s the straight-up truth. OTC pain relievers are almost never necessary, and they’re dangerous. Don’t use them for teething.
Natural Teething Remedies That Work (Really)
Rather than using OTC drugs, or hoping you can stock up on a lifetime supply of teething tablets before they’re gone, why not explore some other natural remedies?
We’ve actually found options that were more effective for us than teething tablets. We’ve been through five teething babies, the youngest of which is just waiting on his canines and two-year molars at this point…and we’ve never needed more than natural remedies.
In fact, our youngest was once so miserable from teething that he was a biting, drooling, clingy, screaming mess…and then we gave him our top remedy, and within ten minutes, he was smiling and playing again. That’s how powerful, effective, and safe natural remedies are!
Luckily, they’re easy, too.
#1) Teething Tincture
This teething tincture is our go-to remedy for teething. It’s super easy to make (watch me make it below), it takes only a few minutes. It contains cloves (known to help oral pain) and catnip (known to soothe fussiness and promote restful sleep) in a glycerin base (alcohol-free and kid-safe).
We give usually 1/2 – 1 dropper to our teething babies as needed. It is seriously my favorite, and I have given out tiny 1/2 oz. jars to my friends to use for their babies. Many people have told me how well it works for them. I keep my own 1/2 oz. jar in my diaper bag so I always have it when I need it.
If this sounds awesome to you, but you’re not sure about sourcing all the ingredients in it, head on over to Earthley and grab our teeth tamer. It will last several months. That’s cheaper than teething tablets and most other remedies!
Feel like a DIY project instead? See how to make the tincture below:
#2) Amber Necklaces
A lot of people swear by these — Baltic amber necklaces. Amber supposedly contains succinic acid, a mild pain reliever. When worn against the skin, the amber warms slightly, and the acid is absorbed into the skin, relieving pain.
They do need to be real Baltic amber, or they won’t work. Fake amber doesn’t do the job!
#3) Chamomile and Lavender
These two herbs are also beneficial for teething pain because they are calming and relaxing (1,2).
You can mix up a 10 ml roller bottle with 3 drops each of lavender and chamomile essential oils into the carrier oil (apricot, jojoba, olive, etc). (This is 0.5% dilution.) Rub this on the outside of the baby’s jaw to help relieve teething pain. Do not put essential oils inside the mouth, and always dilute properly. For more kid-safe essential oil information, check out How to Safely Use Essential Oils with Children.
For an older baby, you could also make chamomile tea and offer it in a cup.
#4) Frozen Items
Many babies enjoy chewing on frozen items. These are good choices:
- Apple or pear slices (they contain an enzyme that’s a mild pain reliever)
- Damp wash cloths
- Breastmilk ice cubes (in a mesh feeder for ease of use)
Feel free to use other frozen items, like teethers or other fruits if you like. Fresh apple slices can be used, as well.
#5) Teething Cream
This teething cream is another simple recipe you can use. I recommend steeping the oils with 1 tbsp. whole cloves rather than using the essential oil, especially for young babies.
The cloves help to relieve the pain, and the oils help it stick to the gums. Many moms have used this with great success!
With these remedies, you should be able to sail through most teething problems without issue. If you have a toddler who’s still struggling, you can try offering anti-inflammatory syrup. It’s based on honey, so you may not want to give it to the younger ones, but maybe you do — after all, honey may not really be bad for babies.
I hope you have peaceful nights with your little one, with no teething pain!
Disclaimer: This post is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and nothing in this post is intended to diagnose, treat, or cure anything. If you have questions, please do your own research or seek advice from a health professional.
