4 Natural Teething Remedies
I used for my babies
Is your earth-side angel fussy for no obvious reason?
I mean you’ve fed them all you can feed them, their diaper is clean and dry, and they seem tired, but just won’t fall asleep.
Your baby might be teething. And if you think it’s too early for your baby to be teething, it’s not. Some babies are born with teeth.
In addition, your baby can experience the discomfort of teething quite a while before it emerges. I know mine did.
Some signs to queue you in on possible teething discomfort:
Drool: Drooling is the most obvious sign of teething. Queue the bandana bibs, multiple extra clothes and burp cloths.
Gnawing: If you give your baby a clean teething toy and they are munching away, chances are they are teething. My babies would wiggle their head side-to-side. Ugh the frustration coupled with the teething pain.
Gums: Oftentimes, you can see the gums filling in from the teeth that are about to emerge. I would feel my babies gums with a clean finger to see how hard the gums were.
Teething is such a tough phase.
Between an increase in sleep deprivation to feelings of helpless and frustration.
Go easy on yourself. This too shall pass.
Let’s get you and baby back to feeling better. I’m happy to share some of the natural remedies that worked for my two children.
But first, disclaimer…
I am not a medical professional. I am simply your semi-crunchy mom bestie sharing my holistic at-home remedies with you that have worked for my family and I. If you have medical concerns, please see a licensed medical professional. If there are other pre-existing conditions, allergies or other medications being taken, consult a medical professional. When in doubt, go see a doctor.
Why natural remedies?
There are very few medications that infants may take. So there aren’t many options anyway.
I personally would rather try the natural remedies first if it’s not a serious condition like an infection or injury. My view is there’s a time and a place for different medicines; western, eastern, at-home, etc. I try to avoid putting the unnecessary chemical in my children especially.
I also don’t want us to build up a tolerance for western medicine so that when we really need it, it will do its job optimally.
Here’s a gentle reminder that everyone’s bodies are different. We have different tolerances, metabolisms, allergies, etc. So if a natural remedy doesn’t work, try the over-the-counter meds or go see a doctor.
Here are 4 natural remedies that helped my babies with teething…
Amber Jewelry
You may be familiar with amber necklaces or have probably seen a baby wearing it.
The metaphysical benefits is said to absorb pain and negative energy, helping to alleviate stress and have a calming effect on the nervous system.
I view Amber jewelry as a slow and low solution. I noticed it made a difference during more mild teething phases and helped with general restlessness. I recommend Authentic Baltic Amber.
I bought a couple different sets.
One set was from a small local jewelry maker — a mama who only made amber jewelry. I purchased a mommy & me set with a Tahitian pearl in the center of each necklace. They worked like a charm. Anytime, I used my necklace, all I wanted to do was take a nap. I learned to only wear it when my mind was restless and I ought to take a nap with baby. However, the clasp on the baby one broke pretty quickly.
The second time around, I opted for a more affordable Amber jewelry set. It was raw and authentic baltic amber. It came as a necklace and bracelet set just for baby. This set never broke. I was quite impressed.
The brand is called Baltic Proud and they make different sets with varying amber colors and accent beads.
Hylands Teething Tablets
The Hylands brand makes an array of homeopathic medicine. It’s easier to find their baby and children’s medicines in big box stores.
Homeopathic medicine is made from naturally derived substances from plants, minerals and sometimes animals. It is generally considered low-risk.
For my babies, the Hylands teething tablets seemed to help a little bit, but also products are limited where I live. So I could only find the daytime tablets.
If you are a limited-inventory place like me and can think ahead, try ordering online. Hylands even has oral gels and soothing drops now.
Given the low risk, it’s worth a shot.
Boiron Camilia Teething Liquid
I bought Boiron Camilia Teething Liquid religiously. You can find it online, health food stores and some larger grocery stores as well.
Boiron also produces homeopathic medicine as well. My first introduction to the brand was actually from a doctor who recommended their Arnica gel and pellets for bruising and healing. I actually remember a family member using their arnica products after cosmetic surgery.
Listen, I’m not a doctor, but this is my experiences and what I witnessed. It’s not a replacement for over-the-counter or prescription medicine. These particular doctors approved us using the products in addition to their prescribed Rx.
Anyway, I noticed this liquid made biggest difference in my children for bedtime with going to sleep easier and longer. If baby sleeps, mommy and daddy can sleep. Any parent can get on board with that. We all know that teething phases typically mean that sleep is scarce.
The teething liquid comes in pre-measured vials. When first giving the liquid to my children, I just mixed it in with their milk bottle. When they got a little older, they would suck it straight from the vial.
Copaiba Essential Oil
Copaiba Essential Oil is the holy grail. When my babies would be at the peak of their teething phases, I could always count on this one.
Wait, what the heck is Copaiba??
Great question. It’s a tree native to the Amazon. No not the online retail giant. The OG Amazon rainforest in South America.
Why does it help with teething?
Copaiba essential oil’s properties are largely attributed to its high concentration of beta-caryophyllene (BCP), a sesquiterpene that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (specifically CB2 receptors) to help manage inflammation and pain without psychoactive effects. Think CBD like effects, but not from the cannabis plant or family.
Please make sure you use a copaiba oil that is safe to ingest. The label must specifically name state that it’s meant for or safe for internal use.
An aromatic-use-only essential oil product most likely contains other ingredients other than essential oils.
I get mine from Young Living. Even though my babies are not babies anymore, I still keep extra bottles on hand for anyone’s toothache — child or adult — and for fellow moms who might need quick relief for their babies.
There are several ways you might apply the essential oil.
First, let’s talk about dilution.
You may want to first start with diluting the Copaiba Essential Oil with a carrier oil that’s also safe to ingest and that you or your baby are not allergic to such as coconut oil. If you want err on the side of caution, go with a 4 to 1 ratio; that’s 4 drops of carrier oil to 1 drop of Copaiba essential oil. You could try equalizing the ratios over time to eventually no carrier oil at all.
Personally, I did a 2 to 1 ratio with my first born to start, but quickly went to no carrier oil. With my second born, we went straight to the essential oil; no carrier oil.
Now for oral application techniques.
You typically want to use something sterile especially since it’s being applied straight to the gums in babies mouth.. You might use a Q-tip or something of that nature.
As for me, I used my finger. I would of course make sure my hands were freshly washed. The reason I used my finger was so I could feel exactly where the hard spots were and ensure the oil was getting applied directly to those spots.
Another technique I liked to do was to put a drop on a sterile teething toy. No one knows where the pain is located better than baby themself. Baby will instinctively gnaw on the part that’s inflamed. Dropping 1-2 drops of Copaiba essential oil on their favorite teething toy, they’ll give themselves the instant relief they need.
Wishing your family well(ness)…
Whether you decide to try all 4 of these remedies or just one at a time or perhaps a different remedy altogether, I wholeheartedly wish the best for your baby and family. I know how hard the teething phases can be. It feels like everyone needs soothing. Just remember, it’s a phase and phases are temporary.
Give yourself grace.