No parent likes to see their baby unhappy or in pain. In fact, most would do almost anything to help relieve it. 

There are various teething products on the market, but here are a few other things you can try to help ease teething symptoms and provide some comfort if your baby is suffering.

Rubbing the gums

Gently massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger can sometimes help a little.

Teething rings

You could try using a teething ring. Some mums find that putting the teething ring into the fridge for a few hours beforehand helps relieve the pain. Do not freeze them though, as this would make them far too hard and could damage the gums.

The best kinds are silicone-based rather than liquid ones, as the liquid-filled variety have been known to leak. They also cannot be sterilised, making them less suitable for younger babies.

Barrier cream

Some infants develop a rash on their chins from constant dribbling. The skin can get quite red and sore. If this is the case you could try using a gentle barrier cream on the area to help prevent the skin from becoming raw and uncomfortable.

Some parents use bibs to mop up the dribble so that baby’s clothes do not get wet and chilly.

Chewing

One of the first signs that a baby is teething is often an urge to chew and gnaw on toys, fingers and whatever else is to hand. If your baby has started on solids you could try giving them an unsweetened teething rusk or a piece of raw carrot or apple. Always watch your baby closely though as these could be a choking hazard.

Cuddles

A little extra comfort in the form of cuddles, stories, singing and playing also goes a long way when babies are feeling off colour due to teething. They may be particularly clingy around this time and will probably benefit from a bit of extra TLC!