Teething pain in babies can be relieved by gently massaging your baby’s gums, offering a chilled teething ring, using a cool washcloth for chewing, providing extra cuddles, and giving chilled foods if your baby has started solids. If the discomfort is severe, your pediatrician may recommend an age-appropriate pain reliever. Although teething can cause sore gums, drooling, fussiness, and sleepless nights, there are many safe and effective ways to comfort your baby.
In this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to relieve teething pain, what causes teething discomfort, why babies often seem fussier at night, and the safest home remedies to help your little one feel better.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
Teething is the process of a baby’s teeth pushing through the gums, due to which babies experience several health issues. Most babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months, although some may start earlier or later. The first teeth are usually the two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors).
By the age of 3 years, most children have all 20 primary (baby) teeth.
Every baby experiences teething differently, but common signs include:
Some babies may also have a slight increase in temperature, but teething does not usually cause a high fever.
Fortunately, there are several safe ways to comfort your baby.
Wash your hands thoroughly and gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger.
The gentle pressure helps reduce soreness and provides temporary relief.
Massage for one to two minutes whenever your baby seems uncomfortable.
A chilled (not frozen) teething ring can soothe inflamed gums.
Cooling helps reduce swelling while giving your baby something safe to chew.
Avoid freezing teething rings because extremely cold objects may damage delicate gum tissue.
Wet a clean washcloth with water.
Place it in the refrigerator for about 20–30 minutes.
Let your baby chew on the cool cloth under supervision.
This simple remedy works surprisingly well for many babies.
Babies naturally relieve pressure by chewing.
Safe options include:
Always choose products appropriate for your baby’s age.
Sometimes babies aren’t only in pain—they’re also looking for comfort.
Holding, rocking, singing, or skin-to-skin contact can help calm an upset baby.
Emotional comfort often reduces crying just as much as physical pain relief.
Excess drooling can irritate your baby’s chin, neck, and cheeks.
Use a soft cloth to gently pat the skin dry throughout the day.
Applying a baby-safe moisturizer or barrier cream may help prevent drool rash.
If your baby has started solids, chilled foods may help soothe sore gums.
Examples include:
Never give hard foods that could become a choking hazard.
For most babies, non-medicine methods are enough to manage teething discomfort.
If your baby seems to be in significant pain and comfort measures aren’t helping, your pediatrician may recommend an age- and weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen (paracetamol). For babies older than 6 months, ibuprofen may also be an option if advised by a healthcare professional.
Always follow your pediatrician’s advice before giving medication.
Many parents notice that teething discomfort seems to intensify after bedtime. Several reasons may explain this:
During the day, babies are busy playing, exploring, and interacting with people.
At night, with fewer distractions, they’re more aware of the discomfort in their gums.
When lying flat, pressure around the head and gums may feel more noticeable, making discomfort seem worse for some babies.
A tired baby has less patience for discomfort.
Even mild gum soreness can feel much harder to tolerate at bedtime.
Try these bedtime tips:
Remember that teething is temporary. Sleep usually improves once the tooth breaks through the gum.
Many simple home remedies can provide comfort for teething pain in babies.
A refrigerator-cooled washcloth gives soothing pressure while your baby chews.
Soft silicone teethers are easy to grip and gentle on sore gums.
A clean metal spoon chilled in the refrigerator can feel soothing on swollen gums.
Do not freeze the spoon.
One of the safest and most effective remedies requires nothing more than clean hands.
If your baby is refusing solids, breast milk or formula can help keep them hydrated.
Older babies enjoying solids often appreciate chilled fruit or vegetable purees.
Fact: A high fever is not a normal symptom of teething. If your baby has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher(especially in infants under 3 months) or appears very unwell, seek medical advice.
Fact: Teething itself does not cause diarrhea. Loose stools may happen for other reasons, such as a viral illness or dietary changes.
Fact: Frozen teethers can become too hard and may injure delicate gums.
Contact your pediatrician if your baby:
These symptoms may indicate an illness unrelated to teething.
Teething is a normal milestone, but it can be challenging for both babies and parents. Gentle gum massage, chilled teethers, cool washcloths, and lots of comfort are usually enough to ease sore gums. If your baby’s discomfort seems severe or you’re unsure whether symptoms are due to teething, contact your pediatrician for guidance.
With patience, reassurance, and safe soothing techniques, your baby will get through teething and before long, those tiny new teeth will be showing in every smile.
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