It's so hard to see our little ones in pain. Lucky for you and your baby, we're here to help! Medical experts — and moms like you — share their tried-and-true tips for comforting a teething baby.
Keep Orajel on Hand
Get creative
"I was a big fan of teethers that we kept in the freezer. Chewing on something cold seemed to help. I'd also offer foods that were good to gnaw on, in large pieces that couldn't be accidentally swallowed, such as a bagel or a watermelon rind. As for medicine, under 6 months, we used acetaminophen but after 6 months we gave ibuprofen because the pain relief lasts longer, allowing for a better night's sleep."
— Amy Wruble, mom of two
Chill out — literally
"Anything and everything chilled. My baby loved having a wet, then frozen, washcloth to chew on."
— Gretchen Bossio, blogger and mom of four
This one's messy, but it works!
"My favorite advice for new moms is to use those little mesh bags meant for keeping baby from choking on food, filled with crushed ice. Plop baby someplace safe (we used the exersaucer) and let them chomp away. Be prepared for a very wet baby, but it's totally worth it."
— Naomi Naughton, Mom.com team and mom of four
Think outside the box
"All three of my babies were different. One liked to chomp on a frozen washcloth, another liked to gnaw on carrots (large enough to not be a choking hazard). My youngest is currently teething and prefers a chilled spoon."
— Kristina Nagle, Mom.com team and mom of three
Pain relievers can help
"Ibuprofen is a good over-the-counter medicine. You can also use Orajel for those times that they are in a lot of pain."
— Dr. Melissa Weintraub, dentist, blogger, and mom of three
Ask your mother
"A rubber teether is definitely something good to have if you suspect your baby may be teething. My mom's trick was pretty good too: Put a wet washcloth in the freezer for a few minutes and let your baby chew on it."
— Johanna Torres, Mom.com team and mom of three
