Of all the ailments that we dealt with when my children were infants, Teething had to be one of the hardest. Because the discomfort caused by those little razors (teeth) cutting through my little ones’ delicate gums, my babies were moody, grumpy, sleep-deprived, and sometimes downright angry… and who can blame them? Mouth pain is some of the most grating and unnerving there is, and I can only imagine how terrible it must be as a tiny infant.
But, of course I have a few tricks up my holistic sleeve to help you and your little ones get through those difficult times of teething. Here are my favorite do-it-yourself and/or natural teething remedies:
Chamomile Tea
Pour boiling water over Chamomile tea bag and let steep for 10-20 minutes (or more). Dab on baby’s gums or dip edge of washcloth in tea and freeze.
Mesh Feeder
Place cold/frozen food in a mesh feeder and let baby gnaw; suggestions include cube of frozen breastmilk, cold/frozen banana, frozen baby food, or cold/fresh ginger root or radish.
Pure Vanilla Extract or Lavender Essential Oil
Dab onto finger and rub onto baby’s gums. Make sure to use pure vanilla extract, or a high quality Lavender Essential Oil.
Clove Essential Oil
Dilute 1-2 drops Clove Essential Oil in 2 tsp. coconut or olive oil; dab onto finger and rub onto baby’s gums. OR
Wet washcloth in warm water, add 1-2 drops to center of washcloth and apply to jaw (on outside of mouth).
Homeopathy
A variety of homeopathic remedies for teething can be found at many health food stores. I prefer the ease of administering Boiron’s Camilia remedy, but a single dose of Chamomilla (6C in tablet or pellet form) or Hyland’s Teething Tablets work well, too.
TLC (Tender Loving Care)
As is sometimes the case, there will be times when nothing seems to work. Nothing, except cradling your little one in your loving arms and just sympathizing, holding them close, with kisses and lullabies, until the pain eases.
Wishing luck to all those mamas and papas of teething babies…
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