Soothing your teething baby: effective teething remedies

Teething can be a challenging time for both babies and parents. As those first teeth (your baby's milk teeth) begin to emerge, discomfort often follows - sometimes leading to sleepless nights and fussy days. But with the right approach, you can help soothe your baby’s teething pain both day and night.

Every baby is different when it comes to teething. According to the NHS, the first tooth tends to come in around six months old. It may push through in a matter or days, or your baby might display symptoms of teething, like sore gums, for a few weeks before a tooth materialises.

At what age do teeth come in for infants?

Teething in infants usually starts around six months of age, but it can vary. Most babies will have their first tooth erupt between four and seven months, with teething continuing until around age three.

Thankfully, there are products available that can help both you and your baby handle teething symptoms. Ashton & Parsons, a trusted name in teething relief for over 150 years, offers two award-winning treatments used to soothe teething discomfort: the Teething Powders and Teething Gel. 

What are the symptoms of teething?

Your baby won’t necessarily exhibit all of the below symptoms but, if you spot a combination of any of the following, then they’re probably teething. 

Knowing when your baby is teething can help you prepare for the discomfort ahead - especially when their first molars come through. Some common signs of teething include:

• Drooling more than usual

• Chewing or biting on objects

• Red or swollen gums

• Fussiness and irritability

• Disturbed sleep

• Slight temperature increase (not exceeding 38°C)

Soothe teething pain and discomfort

Thankfully, there are a few options you have as a parent to ease your baby's discomfort as their milk teeth come through.

1) Ashton & Parsons Teething Gel

For active days when you’re out and about, Ashton & Parsons Teething Gel is is an effective treatment option that helps provide teething pain relief. The gel comes with a hygienic soft brush applicator, allowing you to easily apply and gently massage the gel directly onto the affected area. Once applied, it quickly forms a protective barrier, soothing your little one's discomfort and easing their teething pain.

Ashton & Parsons Teething Gel is a medical device.

Key features

• Convenient for on-the-go use: The gel comes in a portable 10ml tube that fits perfectly in your nappy bag.

• Hygienic soft-brush applicator: This innovative silicone brush helps massage the gel into your baby’s gums, providing targeted relief.

• Banana-flavoured: Baby-friendly and pleasant to taste.

• Free from additives: It’s lactose-free, sugar-free, alcohol-free and local anaesthetic-free.

• Award-winning: Achieved the Platinum Award for ‘Best Teething Product’ from the Loved by Parents Awards 2023 and 2024.

• Highly rated by parents: 4.5/5 stars on Amazon from over 7,000 reviews.

So, whether you're visiting friends, running errands or enjoying a family day out, this gel can be your on-the-go treatment to help keep your baby comfortable and happy.

2) Ashton & Parsons Teething Powder

For over 150 years, Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders have been a trusted choice for parents seeking gentle relief for their babies. Since 1867, the formula has remained unchanged, preserving the traditional ingredients that families have relied on for generations.

This time-tested traditional herbal remedy is used for soothing teething pain. Trusted through the years and cherished by parents, Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders continue to be used to help ease the teething journey for little ones everywhere.

Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders are a traditional herbal medicinal product for use in the symptomatic relief of teething pain exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional herbal remedy. Contains tincture of Matricaria. Always read the label.

Key features

• Suitable from three months: Ashton and Parsons Teething Powders can be used to help soothe teething pain from three months of age.

• Over 150 years of trust: Parents have relied on this formula, unchanged since 1867.

• Easy to use: Each sachet contains the perfect amount for quick and simple administration.

• Herbal and gentle: Contains tincture of Matricaria (chamomile), a traditional herbal remedy used for its soothing properties.

• Award-winning: Gold winner in the Made for Mums ‘Best Teething Remedy’ 2021 awards.

• Highly rated by parents: 4.7/5 stars on Amazon from over 5,000 reviews.

During the teething stage, erupting baby teeth can make your LO feel cranky and restless. This time-tested product has been used for soothing babies teething pain for over 150 years.

How else you can help your teething baby

No parent likes to see their baby in distress, and teething can be challenging for both of you. A cranky baby often ends in a cranky parent. 

There are other things you can do to help ease your baby’s pain and maintain their dental care alongside using Ashton & Parsons products, including:

• Playing with them: distraction is a great way to take their mind off things

• Give them something to chew: if you’re weaning, a cold stick of cucumber might help or a piece of sliced apple (just don’t leave them unattended while they’re eating) 

• Keep them clean by removing excessive dribble that could make their face sore

• Brush your baby’s teeth as soon as that first one pops through - get into the habit early to prevent problems with brushing later on

• Register with a dentist to monitor your child’s teeth regularly

• Keep it cool: chilled teething toys or a teething ring can help soothe swollen gums (just make sure it isn't a choking hazard and designed specifically for the teething process)

• Massage the gums by gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger to relieve pressure 

• Stay calm, your baby can sense your stress so offer extra cuddles for emotional comfort

However, if the practical steps above are not doing anything to help your baby’s discomfort, you might want to consider trying the following.

Where to buy Ashton & Parsons teething products

Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders and Teething Gel are available in most major retailers and pharmacies, making them easy to pick up whenever you need them.

• Amazon: Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders | Ashton & Parsons Teething Gel

• Boots: Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders | Ashton & Parsons Teething Gel

• Sainsbury’s and Tesco: available in-store and online at selected locations.

• Independent pharmacies: available at pharmacies nationwide.

For more details on where to buy, visit https://www.ashtonandparsons.co.uk/where-to-buy/

About Ashton & Parsons

We are proud to be the UK’s No.1 Teething Brand in pharmacy*. With the help of our Teething Powders, Ashton & Parsons have been used to soothe the symptoms of teething pain for over 150 years. Life’s changed a lot since then – not least with the launch of our award-winning Teething Gel – but families everywhere still use Ashton & Parsons to relieve babies' teething pain. Both our Gel and our Powders offer parents trusted remedies to keep handy, at home and on the move, for whenever and wherever teething pain strikes.

Source IRI Unit sales data for teething. June-August 2024. For verification, please contact [email protected]

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she brings parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing two babies just 15 months apart, she knows all too well how challenging teething can be - especially after tackling teething symptoms and discomfort with two at the same time. She herself used Ashton & Parsons teething products, in fact, and she’s a huge fan of the gel. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.

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