Best teething relief

It’s awful seeing your little baby in pain and there’s nothing you can do. Sometimes it’s easy to be pleased our kids are too young to remember what they’re going through. While we can’t stop teething happening, we can help to reduce the pain: here’s the best things you can do for teething relief.

Calpol 

It’s most parents go-to when they see their babies in pain. Available from three months old, you can offer four doses in 24 hours. Because of this, some parents also use Nurofen but there are more side effects and risks – so advice is normally to start with Calpol as it’s paracetamol-based. 

Granules and gels

What’s great about these, is they can often be used in conjunction with a medicated painkiller like Calpol. I like Teetha’s homeopathic granules as my toddler licks them off the spoon enthusiastically so I know she’s taken a full dosage. 

Teether toys

There’s so many – although to be honest, when teething season hits, every toy is a teething toy. I’ve used both Sophie the Giraffe and Matchstick Monkey. While you can sterilise Matchstick Monkey in boiling water,Sophie’s natural ingredients mean you need to wipe her down with a soapy cloth to clean her.  

Cold food

Often refrigerated watermelon and cucumber are recommended as ideal teething relief but plenty of foods can go in the freezer to help with the pain: chopped blueberries (some larger ones can be a choking hazard), peas, bananas or even bread. 

Your finger

You can massage your baby’s gums from the outside of their mouth. By following along the gum line over their lips, you can hopefully rub the pressure away – or at least make it feel better. 

A spoon

One of the oldest ways to help your child with their teething is to refrigerate a metal spoon and press it against the inside of their mouth. You simply rub the smooth part of the spoon gently against the baby’s gums to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Warm flannel 

Typically we think of cold things for teething but a warm, wet flannel on the outside of the face can help relieve pain and provide some comfort. When it cools down, it also provides your baby with something to gnaw on.

TLC

All children like cuddles from their parents – particularly if they’re not feeling 100%. So get your baby or toddler their favourite food, drink and toys. Put their favourite TV show on and wrap them up in a blanket on the sofa. Teething pains should hopefully only last a few days so use this time to treat your little one to some TLC.