Teething is a difficult time for parents, and even moreso for babies. Teeth can start to come in anywhere from 3 months of age to 12 months, and will continue doing so until around age 3. It's symptoms include excessive drooling, sensitive red gums, inconsolable crying, chewing, decreased appetite, rubbing of cheeks or ear, rashes around the mouth or neck, and decreased appetite.

These 34 natural remedies will help you fight teething symptoms, while protecting your baby from chemicals and medication.

1. Frozen Food in a Mesh Feeder

Bananas, apples, and carrots can be frozen and then gnawed on by your teething baby for both pain relief and a tasty treat. Once the teeth come in, crush up the food and put into a baby safe mesh feeder to prevent any choking hazards.

 2. Peeled Ginger Root

Ginger is a natural anti inflammatory that helps to relieve teething pain by soothing the nerve endings in the gums. For the strongest effect, rub a slice of peeled ginger over your baby's gums for 2-3 minutes.

3. Ground Cloves

Cloves contain oils that have warming, numbing properties. Mix ground cloves with water, coconut oil, or unsalted butter, and chill in the fridge to make a paste that can be rubbed on the gums. Clove Essential Oil works great too!

4. Freeze a Washcloth

Freeze a damp washcloth and let your baby chew on it for a cool, numbing sensation. For some variety, you can tie one end in a knot before freezing, or soak the cloth in chamomile tea instead of water.

5. Camilia / Chamomile

Camilia is a safe Over-The-Counter product that contains Chamomile to provide pain and irritability relief, Poke to soothe the gums, and Chinese Rhubarb which can help with the diarrhea that is sometimes associated with teething.

6. Chewing on a Toothbrush

Chewing on a toothbrush promotes good dental health as it gets them used to having the brush in their mouth while also giving their gums a nice massage at the same time. Also look into rubber gum massagers that mom can wear on her finger.

7. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla contains a soothing agent that can reduce a baby's anxiety. Also, the trace amounts of alcohol found in the extract creates a warm, comforting sensation. Soak a cotton swab with the extract and apply to your baby's gums.

8. DIY Popsicles

Making your own Popsicles from natural, organic fruit juice is a fun, tasty, and safe way to provide your baby with some relief. Chewing on the cold, hard Popsicle will temporarily numb gum pain.

9. Organic Teething Rings

Firm rubber and unfinished wooden teething rings are great for older teethers because they are nearly bite-proof. Stay away from liquid-fille teethers as they can break under pressure. And of course, make sure the ones you buy are BPA free.

10. Freeze a Bottle

Fill a bottle with water and freeze it (upside down so that the water is frozen in the nipple) and then let your baby chew on the cold nipple. You can also get water soaked into a pacifier and freeze it for the same effect.

11. Organic Teething Biscuits

Many different brands of these organic hard crackers can be purchased in natural food stores. While some parents have ahd success using these biscuits, be aware that they do have potential to break into small pieces, posing a choking hazard.

12. Chilled Spoons

This teething remedy is recommended by the American Dental Association. Chill a metal spoon in the refrigerator for a few hours, then let your baby enjoy! Wooden mixing spoons also have a great hard texture that babies love!

13. Mom's (or Dad's!) Fingers

The simplest solution is sometimes the best. Rub and massage your infant's gums with a firm touch from your index finger. If you feel up to it (and they don't have too many teeth!) let them gnaw on your big knuckle.

14. Breastfeeding

This can be comforting for some young teethers, but it will actually increase the discomfort in others. If your baby is one of the latter you can try rubbing your finger over their gums before and after each session to provide some relief. If sucking is irritating for your baby, try a slow flow sippy cup filled with breast milk.

15. Amber Teething Necklaces

These are designed to be worn, not chewed on, by your baby. Body heat releases the succinic acid contained in the stones, which is a natural pain reliever and inflammation reducer. Amber has been used for centuries to provide relief to teething babies. Check out the Powell's Owls line of premium amber necklaces

16. If All Else Fails... Bath Time!

The warm water in the bath will help your baby to relax their body and provides a welcome distraction from the constant discomfort. Baths also offer a change of scenery, which can be helpful to take their mind off of their teething troubles.

17. Hyland's Teething Gel & Tablets

A homeopathic remedy, the active ingredients are Chamomilla (relieves irritabiliy), Coffea Cruda (relieves symptoms of wakefulness and diuresis), and Belladonna (reduces inflammation). In large doses, Belladonna is known to be toxic, so talk to your pediatrician before using this product.

18. Essential Oils

Essential Oils offer many different natural remedies to life's variety of ailments. Lavender Oil is very calming and will help your baby relax when stressed. Another Essential Oil, Clove, provides a numbing sensation to the gums to help dull the pain.

19. DIY Rice Pouches

Place one tablespoon of raw rice into the middle of a washcloth. Wrap it up and tie it off with a rubber band before placing it in the freezer. Wet the pouch a little before giving to your baby to hold and chew. Babies love the texture of the rice!

20. Green Onions

Cut the green part off of long green onions, add a small amount of salt to the remaining white part, and give it to your baby to chew. You can also grill the onions to make them softer and easier to chew on. The rubbery, gummy vegetable is fun to mouth.

21. Beef Jerky (We're Serious!)

Some babies will love the taste, and the jerky is rough, durable, and chew-friendly. One piece of jerky could last for an entire day! Of course, too much sodium or salt can be harmful to an infant, so make sure to find a low-sodium brand, like Krave.

22. Frozen Pickle Juice

In addition to having the benefits of other frozen foods, the sour juice in pickles adds an extra numbing sensation to the gums. Dills and Sweet Gherkins are both effective. Soak a washcloth in pickle juice and freeze for a safe, choke-free solution.

23. Wearable Teething Jewelry

Essentially, a prettier version of a teething ring or toy, these can be worn around mom's neck so that baby can play and chew while being held, worn in a wrap or harness, or snuggling. Shop Powell's Owls Teething Jewelry and Amber Necklace gift sets!

24. DIY Allspice Necklace

Allspice contains Tannin, which is a natural ingredient that tightens the gums. Thread together whole Allspice beads from your grocery's spice aisle using dual-duty thread for safety. Replace the necklace with new beads every 3-4 months.

25. Eggo Waffles

While not the most "natural" product, many moms find that the bumpy surface of frozen Eggo waffles is just what their babies needed to curb their teething urges. The waffles will slowly turn into a tasty edible mush as they chew and drool on them.

26. Licorice Root

Licorice Root is an herb that can usually be found in natural food stores. It has a sweet taste, and naturally numbs the gums while your baby chews. This is not the same thing as licorice candy, which is NOT good for babies, so be careful!

27. DIY Baby Ice Cream

Baby ice cream is a tasty, pain-relieving mixture of 1 can of organic pears, 6 scoops of baby formula, and 1/2 cup of organic rice cereal blended together and put into an ice cube tray. Spoon feed it to your baby at times when bottle nipples are too irritating.

28. Facial Massage

Several times a day, take the time to rub your baby's face, jaw, and gums in a circular motion. Sometimes babies will be resistant to this treatment, but other times it will hit just the right spot.

29. Rose Hip Syrup

Add 1/4 cup dried rose hips to 4 cups of water and simmer in a pot for 30 minutes. Strain the herb from the water and pour the water into a mason jar. Add 1 cup of sweetener (honey or maple syrup) to the jar and shake. Apply 4 to 6 drops to the gums every hour for immunity-boosting effects.

30. Catnip Tea

Catnip has a calming agent that relaxes the nerves and can also reduce fever. Add a small amount of catnip to chamomile tea and freeze the mixture into chips or Popsicles, or soak into a washcloth. It is totally safe, and is very gentle on a baby's system.

31. Wild Fennel

The feathery, fern-like leaves and hollow stalks of the Fennel plant can be chewed or sucked for a cooling, sweet-tasting treat. This plant actually grows naturally all over the country and you may even be able to pick it yourself along bike paths.

32. Make Your Own Teething Cream

Melt together coconut oil and food-grade cocoa butter and mix in with some clove oil. Let this mixture cool in the fridge into a home-made creamy substance that can be rubbed onto your baby's gums. 

33. Hazelwood Necklaces

Similar to the effects of Amber, some parents have had success with necklaces made of small pieces of hazelwood, which is claimed to absorb the body's excess acid. This can help with teething, eczema, and acid reflux.

34. Wearable Teething Gloves 

These new, unique teething products are a glove that your baby can wear that has its own built in teething ring. This is great for babies whose hands are too small or uncoordinated to make a typical teething toy work without mom's help. Check out the Powell's Owls Baby Teething Mitten.

Is there a teething tip or method that we missed?  Let us know by email, and we'll add it to the list!

Have you tried Powell's Owls Amber Teething Necklaces yet? See what recent customers have to say, and get yours here:

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