Soothing solutions for teething troubles

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When teething begins

Most babies start teething between 4 to 7 months of age, but every child follows their own schedule. Some early bloomers may show their first tooth as young as 3 months. Some babies only start teething later. The bottom two front teeth (lower central incisors) usually arrive first, followed by the top two front teeth.

Teething gets your baby’s mouth ready for solid foods. Most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth at around 3 years old. Their baby teeth will fall out during childhood and adolescence. Eventually, they will be replaced with 32 permanent teeth.

Recognising teething symptoms

The signs of teething can appear several days or even weeks before you actually see a tooth break through. A common symptom is excessive drooling, often accompanied by a rash around the mouth and chin from the constant moisture. Your baby may have a slight fever during teething (a high fever suggests an infection and must be investigated).

You’ll notice your baby becomes more irritable and fussy, particularly during the evening hours when they’re more aware of the discomfort. One cheek can look red and flushed, while the other remains normal, and you’ll find them constantly putting their hands in their mouth or wanting to chew on anything within reach.

During teething, your baby’s sleep patterns often become disrupted. Their appetite may change as eating becomes uncomfortable. Some babies develop a runny nose with clear discharge. You might notice them rubbing their ears because the discomfort can radiate to surrounding areas.
The five stages of teething

Stage 1 (4-12 months): The lower and upper central incisors emerge. This initial stage introduces your baby to the teething process, with symptoms typically mild to moderate.
Stage 2 (8-16 months): The lateral incisors (teeth beside the front ones) appear. Drooling and the desire to chew increase during this phase.
Stage 3 (13-19 months): The first molars arrive. These larger back teeth can cause more discomfort, and you may notice increased crankiness and disrupted sleep patterns.
Stage 4 (16-23 months): The canines (pointed teeth) emerge between the molars and incisors. This stage brings similar symptoms to the previous phases.
Stage 5 (23-33 months): The second molars complete the set. For many children, this is the most challenging stage as these are the largest teeth. Your usual soothing techniques may seem less effective during this time.

The five stages of teething

How to comfort your baby

When your baby is struggling with teething discomfort, there are gentle, effective ways to help them feel better without immediately reaching for conventional medications.

Cold comfort works beautifully for most babies. Chilled rubber or silicone teethers (not frozen, as this can be too harsh) help numb sore gums. A damp washcloth that’s spent 15-30 minutes in the fridge gives them something safe to chew on and provides cooling relief.

A gentle gum massage can work wonders. Use a clean finger or soft, damp cloth to gently rub your baby’s gums. The pressure often counteracts the discomfort of teeth pushing through, and many babies find it immediately soothing.

Cool liquids can help. Offer slightly cooler water or formula than usual. Not ice-cold, just cool enough to soothe those inflamed gums. Remember that you should only offer your baby water if they’re older than 6 months.

Simple distractions are surprisingly effective during fussy moments. Sometimes a favourite toy, a gentle song, or extra cuddles are exactly what your baby needs to get through a difficult patch.

Understanding the Chamomilla baby

There’s a name for the teething baby who seems impossible to please. Homeopaths call them “Chamomilla babies”. They want something desperately, but when you give it to them, they throw it down and cry. Take it away, and they cry because now they want it back. These little ones are restless and clingy and tend to get cross and frustrated easily.

If this sounds like your baby, try offering small sips of caffeine-free chamomile tea or use it to dampen a cloth for gum massage. When the behaviour becomes really intense, a homeopath can offer more targeted support.

Smart choices for teething

Your baby should never drink sugary drinks. This is even more important during teething. When babies suck, they place their tongue around the bottle teat and push against their emerging teeth. These sugars can cause decay in baby teeth, leading to dental procedures that could have been avoided. Damage to milk teeth can also affect the permanent teeth developing underneath.

Some medications, particularly antibiotics, can weaken developing teeth. Whenever possible, support your baby’s health naturally to avoid compromising their dental development.

For natural medicinal support, try 3-5 pillules of Pegasus Teething, Pain and Fever first. You can combine a crushed Irma’s Stress Rescue with half a crushed A.Vogel Urticalcin tablet (given three times daily) to help push teeth through naturally while keeping your baby calmer. The Urticalcin supports healthy calcium absorption for proper tooth development. You can also rub Rescue Remedy on your baby’s gums for relief.

If these natural approaches aren’t quite enough, you can always try a teething gel or speak with your healthcare provider about other pain relief options.

Supporting your baby’s immune system

Teething places considerable stress on your baby’s entire system, making them more susceptible to minor infections. During this time, try to keep your baby away from crowds and people who are unwell.

Support their natural defences with A.Vogel Echinaforce drops and Bio-Strath syrup. Add one drop of Echinaforce per year of age to their bottle, 1-5 times per day, to build strong immune function naturally.

Bio-Strath Bare Necessities syrup offers fantastic support for teething babies. For babies aged 3-12 months, give 1.25ml or two dummy dips daily to support healthy development. Bio-Strath Bare Necessities’ 61 nutrients help strengthen your baby’s body during the demanding teething period.

What’s normal and when to get help

Don’t be alarmed if your baby has bowel movements that look greenish, resembling chopped spinach. This can occur in some babies during teething, but it doesn’t happen with every tooth or every child.

Contact your healthcare provider if your baby develops a fever higher than 38°C, experiences persistent diarrhoea or vomiting, or if you’re concerned about their symptoms. Remember that while teething can cause mild discomfort and a slight temperature rise, it shouldn’t cause high fever or severe illness.

Looking ahead with hope

This challenging phase will pass. The truly magical part lies ahead – when those hard-earned baby teeth begin to fall out around age 6, making way for permanent teeth. This brings the delightful time when the Tooth Fairy and Oupa Muis come to visit, filling your child’s life with wonder and excitement.

The care and natural approaches you use during teething really do make a difference for your child’s future dental health. You’re building positive experiences around oral care that will serve them well as they grow. Most importantly, remember that the tough nights and fussy days won’t last forever – each tooth that comes through brings you closer to a happier, more comfortable baby.