How to Soothe a Teething Baby: What Is Safe and What to Avoid

By the Tinytato Team · Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

Quick answer

To soothe a teething baby, give them a firm teether to chew, chilled in the fridge but never frozen. Rub their gums gently with a clean finger. From 6 months, cold soft foods like chilled fruit can help, with you watching. Wipe away drool to protect the skin, and offer extra cuddles. Avoid teething necklaces, numbing gels and homeopathic teething products, which health authorities warn against.

It's 1am. Baby has been chewing their fist and crying on and off for an hour. You've tried milk, rocking and the song. Nothing works for long.

Teething nights are hard. Here's what helps, and what's worth avoiding even when you're desperate.

In this article

Safe ways to soothe teething: the table
What helps, and how to do it
What to avoid, and why
Getting through teething nights
When it isn't just teething
How to soothe a teething baby: frequently asked questions

What is safe for a teething baby?

Safe to try	Avoid
A firm silicone or rubber teether	Liquid-filled teethers
Teether chilled in the fridge	Anything frozen hard, including teethers
Gum rub with a clean finger	Teething necklaces and bracelets, including amber beads
Cold soft fruit or vegetables from 6 months, supervised	Rusks and sugary snacks
A clean, cold, damp washcloth to chew	Numbing gels with benzocaine or lidocaine
Cuddles, distraction, play	Homeopathic teething tablets or powders
Pain relief suitable for baby's age, if your doctor or pharmacist advises	Adult pain relief or any medicine not made for babies

What helps a teething baby?

Six things, in the order most parents try them.

1. Something firm to chew

Chewing puts counter-pressure on the gums, which many babies find soothing. The US FDA, quoting the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends a firm teether, not a liquid-filled one. Different textures give baby's gums something new to work on.

2. Cold, but not frozen

The NHS says some teethers can be cooled in the fridge to soothe the gums, but never put one in the freezer, because a frozen teether could hurt baby's gums. The FDA gives the same advice: make sure the teether is not frozen.

3. A gentle gum rub

Wash your hands, then rub baby's sore gum gently with a clean finger for a minute or two. Simple, free, and often surprisingly effective.

4. Cold food from 6 months

If baby has started solids, the NHS suggests healthy things to chew, like raw fruit and vegetables. Soft fruit like chilled melon can soothe gums. Always sit with baby while they eat, in case of choking.

5. Wipe the drool

Teething drool can cause a rash on the chin and neck. Wipe gently and often, and keep a bib on. In our heat, a damp collar against the skin makes the rash worse, so change bibs often.

6. Comfort and distraction

The NHS says comforting or playing with baby can take their mind off the pain. A walk outside, a new toy, a bath: a change of scene often helps more than you'd expect.

What should I avoid when my baby is teething?

Teething necklaces and bracelets, including amber beads. The FDA has received reports of deaths and serious injuries from strangulation and choking. The NHS also says never to tie a teether around baby's neck.
Numbing gels with benzocaine or lidocaine. The FDA says they offer little to no benefit and can cause serious harm in children. The NHS says there is a lack of evidence that teething gels work. Don't use one without asking a doctor or pharmacist first.
Homeopathic teething tablets and powders. Both the FDA and NHS advise against them.
Frozen teethers or frozen food. Too hard for baby's gums.
Rusks and sugary snacks. The NHS warns that sugar can cause tooth decay, even with only a few teeth.

How do I help my teething baby sleep?

Keep the bedtime routine the same. Bath, feed, song, dark room. Familiar steps help baby settle even on sore nights.
Offer the chilled teether before bed, not in the cot. Take it out before baby falls asleep.
Gum rub at the night wake, then back down.
Keep baby comfortable and cool. A teething baby who is also too warm sleeps worse. Our aircond dressing chart helps.
Take turns. Teething runs in waves of a few days. Share the night shifts if you can.

When is it not just teething?

Teething can cause a slightly raised temperature under 38°C, according to the NHS. It does not cause high fever, diarrhoea or illness. See a doctor or go to the Klinik Kesihatan if baby:

has a temperature of 38°C or higher,
has diarrhoea, vomiting or a rash on the body,
won't feed or seems unwell,
can't be comforted for a long time.

If baby seems to be in pain, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a pain-relief medicine for babies is suitable, and at what dose for baby's age.

Teething discomfort is usually short. In a study of 475 new teeth, symptoms showed up from about 4 days before to 3 days after each tooth came through. Diarrhoea, cough and high fevers were not linked to teething, so get those checked.

Our pick

TatoChew Teether, RM49. A firm, food-grade, BPA-free silicone teether with different textures to chew on, sized for little hands, from 3 months. Chill it in the fridge for teething nights (never the freezer). Dishwasher safe, and can be sterilised in boiling water.

How to soothe a teething baby: frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what parents ask most.

How can I soothe my baby's teething pain quickly?

A chilled teether or a gentle gum rub with a clean finger are the quickest safe options. Cuddles and distraction help too.

Is it OK to put a teether in the freezer?

No. The NHS and FDA both say not to give baby a frozen teether. Use the fridge.

Are amber teething necklaces safe?

No. The FDA warns of strangulation and choking, and there is no good evidence they ease teething pain.

Can I use teething gel?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist first. The FDA warns against gels with benzocaine or lidocaine for children, and the NHS says there's little evidence teething gels work.

What are home remedies for teething at night?

A chilled teether before bed, a gum rub at night wakes, a cool comfortable room, and a steady bedtime routine. Avoid anything frozen hard, tied around the neck, or sugary.

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