Teething is a natural developmental milestone in infants, typically beginning around six months of age. This process, while normal, can cause significant discomfort and distress for both infants and their caregivers. Common symptoms include irritability, drooling, gum swelling, and a desire to chew on objects. While over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen are frequently used, many parents seek natural remedies to alleviate their baby’s teething pain. This article explores evidence-based natural remedies for teething, including the use of chamomile cloths and gummies as recommended by BoobToFood.
Common Natural Remedies for Teething
Cold Compresses and Objects
- Cold Washcloths: Chilling a clean, damp washcloth in the refrigerator or freezer can provide soothing relief when chewed on by the baby. The cold helps numb the gums and reduce inflammation[2][6].
- Frozen Foods: Items like frozen bananas, apples, or carrots can be placed in a mesh feeder to prevent choking and provide a safe, cold object for the baby to gnaw on[12][17].
Gum Massage
- Gently massaging the baby’s gums with a clean finger can help alleviate pain by applying counter-pressure to the emerging teeth[4][6]. This method is simple and effective, providing immediate relief.
Chamomile
- Chamomile Tea: Chamomile has natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It can be brewed into a weak tea, cooled, and given to the baby in small sips or used to soak a washcloth for chewing[3][8].
- Chamomile Gummies: BoobToFood recommends chamomile tea gelatin gummies as a natural remedy. These gummies combine the calming effects of chamomile with the health benefits of gelatin, which include boosting immunity, aiding digestion, and reducing inflammation[11][15].
Breastfeeding
- For breastfed babies, nursing can provide comfort and relief from teething pain. The sucking action can help soothe the gums, although some babies may find it painful and prefer bottle feeding instead[6][8].
Benefits of Natural Remedies
Natural remedies for teething offer several benefits:
- Safety: They avoid the potential side effects associated with pharmaceutical interventions, such as benzocaine, which has been linked to serious health risks in infants[16].
- Accessibility: Many natural remedies use common household items or easily obtainable ingredients, making them convenient for parents.
- Holistic Health: Remedies like chamomile not only address teething pain but also offer additional health benefits, such as improved digestion and reduced inflammation[15].
Strategies for Implementing Natural Remedies
Chamomile Cloth
- Brew a weak chamomile tea and allow it to cool.
- Soak a clean washcloth in the tea, wring out the excess liquid, and place it in the refrigerator or freezer until cold.
- Give the chilled cloth to the baby to chew on, providing both the soothing effects of the cold and the anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile[3][8].
Chamomile Gelatin Gummies
- Ingredients: 200 ml brewed chamomile tea, 1 tablespoon gelatin.
- Instructions:
- Brew chamomile tea and let it cool.
- Transfer the tea to a small saucepan and sprinkle gelatin on top.
- Heat gently, stirring until the gelatin dissolves.
- Pour the mixture into a container or gummy molds and refrigerate until set.
- Cut into safe shapes for the baby to chew on[11][15].
Conclusion
Teething can be a challenging time for both infants and their caregivers. Natural remedies, such as cold compresses, gum massages, and chamomile-based treatments, offer safe and effective alternatives to pharmaceutical options. BoobToFood’s chamomile cloth and gummies provide innovative ways to incorporate these natural remedies into a teething relief strategy. As always, it is important to consult with a pediatrician before introducing any new remedy to ensure it is appropriate for your baby’s specific needs.
By utilizing these evidence-based natural remedies, parents can help alleviate their baby’s teething discomfort while promoting overall health and well-being.
References:
- Knowledge and management practices of infant teething symptoms among mothers in a tertiary facility in Ghana.
- Natural teething remedies for babies – Nurture Children’s Health.
- Natural Teething Remedies: 5 Best Soothers – Healthline.
- Teething: Tips for soothing sore gums – Mayo Clinic.
- It’s only teething… A report of the myths and modern approaches to teething.
- Teething in Babies: Symptoms and Remedies – WebMD.
- Practical and natural tips for supporting our babies through teething – BoobToFood.
- Natural Teething Remedies | All Kids Smile Pediatric Dentistry.
- Teething symptoms and management during infancy – A narrative review.
- 6 Baby Teething Remedies (That Really Work) – Mama Natural.
- Chamomile tea Gelatine Gummies | Boob to Food.
- 34 Natural Teething Remedies That Work – Powell’s Owls.
- Childhood Teething: Essential Facts and Home Remedies.
- Safe teething remedies for your baby – Colgate.
- DIY Chamomile Teething Gummies: Herbal Support for Teething – The Herbal Academy.
- Teething: Which remedies are safe for babies? – Children’s Hospital.
- How to Relieve Your Baby’s Teething Pain Safely – University Hospitals.
- Baby Teething Symptoms and Remedies – Weleda.
- Misconceptions and traditional practices towards infant teething – NCBI.
- Tips for helping your teething baby – NHS.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11055185/
[2] https://www.nurturechildrenshealth.com/blog/natural-teething-remedies-for-babies/
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/natural-teething-remedies
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/teething/art-20046378
[5] https://www.nature.com/articles/4801078
[6] https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/teething-symptoms-remedies
[7] https://boobtofood.com/17-teething-with-luka-and-kate-2/
[8] https://allkidssmile.com/natural-teething-remedies/
[9] https://scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S0011-85162020000200007&script=sci_arttext
[10] https://www.mamanatural.com/natural-teething-remedies/
[11] https://boobtofood.com/2023-5-4-chamomile-tea-gelatine-gummies-2/
[12] https://powellsowls.com/blogs/blog/76354884-34-natural-teething-remedies-that-work
[13] https://www.longdom.org/open-access-pdfs/childhood-teething-essential-facts-and-home-remedies.pdf
[14] https://www.colgate.com.au/oral-health/infant-oral-care/safe-teething-remedies-for-your-baby-0713
[15] https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/chamomile-teething-gummies/
[16] https://answers.childrenshospital.org/teething-remedies/
[17] https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2019/07/how-to-relieve-your-babys-teething-pain-safely
[18] https://www.weleda.com.au/magazine/baby/baby-teething-symptoms-and-remedies
[19] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6151031/
[20] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/teething/tips-for-helping-your-teething-baby/
