Teething is one of those parenting milestones that arrives with a lot of drool and a fair amount of worry. Between four and seven months, most babies start cutting their first teeth — and along with them come the classic baby teething symptoms that can turn even the calmest household upside down. The good news: teething is a normal, healthy process, and there are plenty of safe, natural relief remedies that can soothe your little one without a trip to the pharmacy.
Common Baby Teething Symptoms
Not every baby shows the same signs, but these are the most widely recognised symptoms of teething:
- Excessive drooling: The most obvious sign — suddenly everything is soaked. Keep soft bibs handy to prevent a drool rash on the chin.
- Chewing and gnawing: Your baby will try to press anything into their gums — fingers, toys, the crib rail.
- Swollen, tender gums: The gums may look red or puffy, and you may feel a hard ridge where a tooth is pushing through.
- Crankiness and crying: Gum discomfort, especially at night when there are fewer distractions, can make babies unusually fussy.
- Refusing feeds or solids: Sucking can increase gum pressure, so some babies nurse or eat less during active teething.
- Slightly raised temperature: A low-grade temperature is common, but a true fever (above 38°C / 100.4°F) is NOT caused by teething — call your paediatrician.
What Teething Does NOT Cause
Parents are often told teething causes diarrhoea, high fever, or ear infections. The evidence does not support this. If your baby has a high fever, persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, or a severe ear infection, do not blame teething — see a doctor promptly.
Natural Relief Remedies That Actually Work
1. Cold Gum Massage
Wash your hands and gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger. The pressure counteracts the pain of the tooth pushing through. For extra relief, chill a clean damp washcloth in the fridge (not the freezer) and let baby gnaw on it.
2. Chilled Teething Rings
A solid rubber teething ring kept in the fridge provides cool, firm pressure. Avoid liquid-filled teethers (they can puncture) and never freeze a teether rock-solid — it can damage delicate gums.
3. Chilled Fruit for Older Babies
If your baby has started solids, a large cold cucumber spear or a chilled banana in a mesh feeder can be soothing. Always supervise closely to prevent choking, and stick to age-appropriate foods.
4. Extra Comfort and Distraction
Rocking, singing, and skin-to-skin cuddles release natural calming chemicals. Sometimes the best remedy for fussiness is simply your presence. A short walk outside often works wonders.
5. Keep a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Teething nights are tempting times to abandon the routine, but consistency helps babies settle. If baby wakes in discomfort, a quick soothe — rather than a full feeding or new habit — keeps sleep on track once the tooth arrives.
What to Avoid
- Teething gels with benzocaine or lidocaine: Health authorities advise against numbing gels for babies, as they can cause serious side effects and wear off quickly anyway.
- Amber teething necklaces: These are a strangulation and choking hazard with no proven benefit.
- Adult pain medication without medical advice: Never give aspirin, and only use infant pain relievers at the dose your doctor recommends.
- Hard, small foods for very young babies: Always match texture to your baby’s developmental stage.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your paediatrician if your baby has a fever above 38°C, refuses fluids for several feeds, develops a rash that does not fade, has diarrhoea or vomiting, or if you simply feel something is not right. Trust your instincts — you know your baby best.
Teething is temporary: each tooth usually takes about eight days to fully emerge, with the worst discomfort in the two days before it breaks through. For more gentle, evidence-based guidance on baby milestones, visit the Healthy Baby Guide homepage.
