Teething — when a baby’s teeth are pushing through their gums — can be a challenging time for babies and parents alike. Many teething babies are quite fussy, and parents can have a hard time figuring out how to lessen teething pain effectively. Many parents turn to frozen teething toys that babies can gnaw on to help lessen the discomfort of teething, while other parents swear by baby teething gel that can be massaged onto their baby’s inflamed gums.
Teething gel has been used by parents for generations in an effort to bring a teething baby some much-deserved relief. If you are looking for a flavored, all-natural teething gel for your baby, Hello Baby Teething Gel is the ideal choice.
What to know before you buy baby teething gel
In recent years, both the Food and Drug Administration and the American Association of Pediatrics have spoken out against baby teething gels, stating that they are neither safe nor effective in treating sore gums. Before using teething gel on your baby, you should consult your child’s doctor.
Ingredients
When considering which teething gel you should use on your baby’s sore gums, quality ingredients should be a top consideration. In recent years, the FDA has warned against teething gels that use benzocaine, saying that this numbing agent (a form of medication) is not safe for infants or babies younger than 2 years old. When selecting a baby teething gel, make sure you read the ingredient list and decide for yourself whether you are comfortable using the included ingredients on your child. Ingredients to avoid include numbing agents, sugar, parabens and anything considered a drug or medication.
Flavor
Some teething gels are flavored so that they taste good to your baby. Some have just a mild, sweet flavor designed to be pleasing to your baby. Other teething gels have a specific flavor, such as strawberry or apple. You should consider any flavors you know your child doesn’t like when deciding which flavor of teething gel you will purchase.
Child’s age
Teething gels are generally designed for a teething child, although teething can happen at different times for different babies. Some children experience teething pain as young as 2 months old, and others experience it closer to 6 or 7 months old. Some teething gels can be used on babies as young as 2 months old, but other teething gels are recommended for slightly older infants. Check the age recommendations on the teething gel you wish to purchase to make sure it is appropriate for your baby.
Baby teething gel features
Easy application
Baby teething gel is easy to apply quickly to bring some relief to your fussy, teething baby. Simply squeeze a pea-sized amount onto your clean finger, and rub it gently onto your baby’s sore gums. Teething gel comes in small, easy-to-use containers that can be tossed in a diaper bag or purse to take with you on the go.
Day and night formulas
Some baby teething gel manufacturers offer day and night teething formulas. The two formulas are very similar, but nighttime formulas typically include ingredients such as chamomile or lavender, which are thought to be soothing ingredients that can help calm fussy babies and help them fall asleep.
Cooling relief
Certain baby teething gels offer cooling relief for teething babies. Cooling relief is a sensation of something cold being applied to an area (in this case, the gums) in order to reduce pain and irritation. Some baby teething gels provide cooling relief for babies in an effort to lessen their discomfort from teething.
Baby teething gel cost
Baby teething gels are a fairly inexpensive way to help soothe your baby’s aching gums. Gels typically cost between $6 and $12.
Baby teething gel FAQ
Why don’t doctors recommend baby teething gel anymore?
A. Baby teething gels used to contain benzocaine, which is a local numbing agent. It was determined that benzocaine is not safe for children under 2 years old and should not be given to them. The AAP, therefore, stopped recommending the use of teething gel for teething babies because of this potentially harmful ingredient. However, mostly baby teething gels on the market currently do not use benzocaine.
What other products can I give my fussy, teething baby besides baby teething gel?
A. If baby teething gel isn’t working to soothe your baby’s gums, you might try a frozen teething toy. Anything cold should feel good on your infant’s tender gums. If you are on the go and don’t have something cold to put on your baby’s gums, you might consider letting them gnaw on your fingers after you have washed your hands.
Which baby teething gel should I get?
Best of the best baby teething gel
Hello Baby Teething Gel: available at Amazon
Our take: All-natural ingredients and a subtle apple flavor make this baby teething gel a favorite with parents and babies alike.
What we like: With clove oil, aloe vera and plant-derived sweeteners, this baby teething gel aims to provide your teething baby with fast, natural relief for sore gums.
What we dislike: Some users say that the packaging on this baby teething gel is really hard to open.
Best bang for your buck baby teething gel
Orajel Baby Daytime and Nighttime Non-Medicated Cooling Gels: available at Amazon
Our take: Different formulas for day and night ensure you always have something handy to soothe your baby’s painful gums.
What we like: A parent favorite for generations, Orajel is now formulated without benzocaine, which means it no longer contains a potentially harmful ingredient.
What we dislike: Some users state that Orajel baby teething gel makes their children produce a lot of saliva.
Honorable mention baby teething gel
Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Gum Massage Gel: available at Amazon
Our take: Designed for 2-month-old babies and older, this baby teething gel is plant-based and nonmedicated.
What we like: This baby teething gel uses chamomile to help soothe irritated gums as well as lemon peel. This formula is safe to swallow.
What we dislike: Some parents complain that this formula doesn’t appear to soothe their baby’s gums as well as other similar products on the market.
Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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