Teething is one of those stages that is as inevitable as it is challenging, especially if your baby really struggles with pain and discomfort. While it’s tough to see as a parent, because it’s such a human universal, plenty of methods and products have been thought up over time to help make this time a bit easier for babies and their parents to get through. So let’s get started on looking at some of the best natural teething remedies for babies!
Safe Teethers
Teethers, also known as teething rings, are probably the first thing you think of when it comes to getting your little one through this period – and Haakaa has you sorted with a huge range of some of the best silicone teethers. Just like with dummies/pacifiers/soothers, babies very often have some firm preferences when it comes to teethers, so having lots of different ones to chews from is always going to make life a lot easier. So, what types of teether do we have available? To start with, all our teethers are made of silicone, so they’re safe to chew on without worrying about your little one swallowing all those nasty microplastics that are everywhere. As far as shapes go, we’ve got many! From the traditional Silicone Teething Ring with its geometric shapes hanging off a central ring to the handy pair of the Dinky Digits Teether or Palm Teether, and even an adorable Owl or Crown Teether, there’s a shape and size to suit even the most discerning little one.
Cooling
Once you’ve got your teether (or teethers), did you know that you can boost their effectiveness even more? Just like when you’ve got a sore muscle or something similar, a great many babies respond really well to having something cooling on their inflamed gums. And because all Haakaa teethers are, as mentioned above, made of silicone, they can easily be popped into the fridge or freezer for added cooling relief, without ever getting too hard. Let it cool to the point your baby likes it (and some experimentation may be needed here), then give it to them to gnaw on to their heart’s content! And if you’ve run out of clean teethers (or, perhaps more likely, lost them after they’ve been flung away by bubs without you noticing), you can get a similar effect by putting a clean, damp (and wrung-out) cloth in the fridge. Let it cool, and they’ll be able to chew on that while you get hold of another teether.
Gum Massage
A key thing you can do, and a big part of why teethers work, is massaging those gums. Luckily, all Haakaa teethers have raised bumps and ridges to massage those gums while baby chews, but you can also try massaging them yourself in a pinch. The first method is by using your finger. Wash your hands (and make sure to rinse off all that bad-tasting soap!), then gently press a finger along each gum. The idea here is to just relieve some pressure, so you don’t need to press down too hard, nor do you need to do it too long – a minute or two will do (though don’t be surprised if your child immediately demands it back!).
The other method is very similar, but has an added benefit. Grab one of the Haakaa Silicone Finger Toothbrushes (cleaned, of course), and perform the same motions, rubbing either the bristles or the bumps over their gums. Not only does this help relieve the pressure in the same way, but it also gets them used to the routine and sensation of brushing their teeth, which is an absolute win-win. Once they’ve got a bit more coordination, you can then upgrade to the Contoured Silicone Toothbrush, which has bristles on three sides to gently scrub those new teeth that are popping through as they chew on the brush. It’s contoured to follow the curve of their jaws, meaning they can easily brush multiple teeth across all surfaces without even realising it! If all that sounds good to you, you can even grab the Kids Oral Care Set, which contains both of these toothbrushes PLUS a special 360° bristle silicone toothbrush that lets your toddler learn how to brush their own teeth, all packed in a handy travel case with a dedicated cloth to keep things neat and tidy.
The Unexpected Star
You might have heard of the Fresh Food Feeder, the unparalleled champion of introducing solids to your child. So, what does that have to do with teething? EVERYTHING. Not only does the handle of the Feeder do double duty as a teether, but you can also pop in some frozen breastmilk, formula, or water, meaning it can be used even if you haven’t started the transition to solids yet. Of course, if you have, you can pop whichever foods you’re wanting to introduce, so they can get a taste of some new flavours even as they’re soothing their sore gums! What makes this particularly convenient is that the Feeder comes with a miniature Pineapple Nibble Tray to make frozen breastmilk portions that fit right into the Feeder’s pouch. And if those two compartments turn out to be a hit? You can grab the larger nine-compartment version without any bother.
Distraction and Cuddle Time
Believe it or not, when the discomfort and grizzling is mild, a bit of distraction might be all they need! This, of course, comes with the proviso that if the pain is growing, it might not always work, but it’s always a good first step to try, especially since it’ll give you and bubs a chance to have some play time together. As for what that looks like, it’ll all depend on what you enjoy doing in general. Try out games like peek-a-boo, read a book, or have some singing time. For some, getting out of the house can be fantastic – strap them into the pushchair and take a wander around the park to discover new sights and get some fresh air. Or, if you’re not feeling up to heading out, something as simple as cuddle time might be just what they need to help settle themselves. And let’s face it – there’s not much better than sitting and snuggling with bubs, especially if it does help them feel better.
Dealing with Drool
Drool is pretty much ever-present during teething time, and can sometimes, in fact, be one of the earlier signs that those teeth are starting to move. The only real answer to dealing with drool is to ensure you have plenty of soft bibs and cloths on hand. Make sure you do get things made of soft material, such as muslin. Haakaa’s Organic Cotton Burp Cloth is particularly useful for this, as you can grab it when baby first arrives to protect your clothes from stains from spills and spit-ups during burping, and then use it to gently clean their faces of drool during teething (among many other potential uses over its lifespan!)
As always, keep an eye on your little one, and if you’re at all worried that there’s something more than just grizzliness from teething going on, immediately check in with your healthcare professional.