The best things to give a teething baby are simple: cold pressure on the gums, safe chew toys, and if needed, a weight-appropriate dose of infant pain reliever. Most babies start teething between 6 and 12 months, and while the process can make them fussy and uncomfortable, the most effective remedies are also the most straightforward.
When Teething Starts and What to Expect
The first teeth to break through are usually the two bottom front teeth, followed by the top four front teeth. A general rule is that for every six months of life, about four teeth erupt. They tend to come in pairs, one on each side of the jaw, and lower teeth usually appear before upper teeth. By age 2.5 to 3, all 20 baby teeth are typically in place.
Teething symptoms vary widely. Some babies barely notice, while others get cranky, drool heavily, and want to chew on everything. Swollen, tender gums are normal. Mild fussiness and disrupted sleep are common. A low-grade temperature can happen, but a true fever (above 100.4°F) isn’t caused by teething and signals something else going on.
Gum Massage and Cold Pressure
The simplest and most effective relief is direct pressure on the gums. Use a clean finger or a piece of wet gauze and rub your baby’s gums for about two minutes. You can do this as often as needed throughout the day. The counter-pressure works against the sensation of teeth pushing through, which is why babies instinctively want to bite down on things.
Cold adds an extra layer of numbing. A chilled (not frozen) teething ring or a cold, wet washcloth gives your baby something safe to gnaw on. For babies older than 1 year, you can wrap a small piece of ice in a wet cloth and rub it on the gums. Avoid putting teething rings in the freezer, since rock-hard toys can actually bruise tender gums.
Teething Toys and Chilled Foods
Solid silicone or rubber teething rings are a safe go-to. Look for one-piece designs without liquid inside, since filled rings can leak or break. Let your baby chew freely while supervised.
Once your baby is eating solids, cold foods can do double duty as both snack and pain relief. Chilled banana, cold cucumber spears, or frozen fruit in a silicone mesh feeder are popular options. The mesh feeder is especially useful because it lets your baby gnaw on frozen berries, watermelon, or even frozen breast milk without any choking risk from loose pieces. Just make sure you’re offering age-appropriate foods your baby has already been introduced to, and always stay nearby while they eat.
When to Use Pain Relievers
If your baby is clearly miserable and non-medication options aren’t enough, infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. These are the only two pain relievers considered safe for teething babies, and the right choice depends on your baby’s age.
Acetaminophen (the active ingredient in infant Tylenol) can be given to babies 3 months and older. Dosing is based on weight, not age. For a baby weighing 12 to 17 pounds, the typical dose is 2.5 mL of the standard infant liquid (160 mg per 5 mL). You can give it every 4 to 6 hours, but no more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
Ibuprofen (the active ingredient in infant Advil or Motrin) is an option starting at 6 months. For a baby weighing 18 to 23 pounds, the typical dose is 1.875 mL of the infant drops. It can be repeated every 6 to 8 hours, with a maximum of 4 doses per day. Since ibuprofen reduces inflammation as well as pain, some parents find it works better for swollen gums.
Always dose by your baby’s current weight, not their age, and use the measuring syringe that comes with the product rather than a kitchen spoon.
Products to Avoid
Several widely marketed teething products are genuinely dangerous, and the FDA has issued specific warnings about them.
Benzocaine gels and liquids (sold under brand names like Orajel and store-brand equivalents) should not be used for teething. Benzocaine is a numbing agent that can trigger a condition called methemoglobinemia, where red blood cells lose their ability to carry oxygen effectively. The FDA has stated this condition can be fatal and that these products should not be used in children for teething pain.
Prescription lidocaine solutions are equally risky. Even small amounts can cause seizures, serious heart problems, severe brain injury, and death in infants. This isn’t a theoretical risk. It happens when too much is applied or the baby accidentally swallows it, which is nearly impossible to prevent with a drooling infant.
Homeopathic teething tablets containing belladonna have been the subject of repeated FDA warnings. Testing of products sold by Hyland’s and CVS found that levels of belladonna compounds (atropine and scopolamine) varied wildly from tablet to tablet and sometimes far exceeded what the label stated. The FDA urged parents to dispose of these products entirely.
Amber Necklaces and Teething Jewelry
Amber teething necklaces are marketed with the claim that body heat releases a pain-relieving substance from the amber. There is no scientific evidence this works. What is well-documented is the risk: the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants not wear any jewelry at all. The dangers are strangulation if the necklace catches on something (especially during sleep) and choking if the cord breaks and your baby swallows a bead. Suffocation is the leading cause of death for children under 1 year old. No unproven remedy is worth that risk.
A Simple Routine That Works
Teething comes in waves. Your baby will have rough days when a tooth is actively pushing through, followed by stretches of relative calm before the next one starts. For most flare-ups, a combination of gum massage, something cold to chew on, and extra comfort is all you need. Save the pain relievers for nights when nothing else is helping and your baby can’t sleep. Keep the routine simple, stick with what’s proven safe, and skip anything that numbs, contains herbs, or goes around your baby’s neck.