Enter amber teething necklaces. Many natural mamas swear by them, but do they work? Are they safe? Should you go ahead and purchase one for your baby?

We’ve waded through the scientific and anecdotal evidence so you can make the best choice for your family.

Amber teething necklaces: Proceed with caution

For the safety of your child, it is important to use amber teething necklaces with caution:

• Always under adult supervision
• Never at naptime or bedtime
• Ensuring that the necklace has a pop or breakaway clasp (not a screw clasp)

When used properly and under adult supervision, amber teething necklaces do not pose much of a risk.

However, there have been reports of babies injured by amber necklaces, usually when sleeping with them or wearing them while unattended.

If you have concerns about amber teething necklaces, I encourage you to consider other natural baby teething remedies.

What is an amber teething necklace?

Amber teething necklaces are designed to be worn by babies when they are teething. The common belief is that the child’s body heats the amber, causing it to release oils containing succinic acid. The succinic acid, in theory, gets absorbed into the bloodstream, helping to easy baby’s pain.

Nearly all amber teething necklaces are made from Baltic Amber, which is fossilized resin from the sap of conifer trees. It originates in the dark, cold forests of the Baltic region; by some accounts, Baltic amber is over 44 million years old.

The Baltic region is so well known for its amber deposits, they’re sometimes referred to as “Baltic gold.” Other forms of amber from other regions of the world also exist, though Baltic amber is known for having higher levels of succinic acid.

Baltic amber comes in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, brown, black, red, green, and blue. The kind you’ll most often find for teething necklaces is brown/orange and milky. Blue and green amber, caused by gas and inclusions, is rare and thus highly valuable—too valuable for teething necklaces.

Baltic amber’s magic ingredient: succinic acid

The key component affiliated with Baltic amber’s healing properties is succinic acid, which accounts for 8% of its make-up.

Succinic acid is found in many vitamin supplements, heart medicine and topical creams for arthritis. Baltic Amber, in particular, is often found as an active ingredient in Chinese medicines. Baltic Amber necklaces are sold in pharmacies in many European and Asian countries.

That’s because succinic acid can be:

• anti-inflammatory,
• immune boosting,
• antioxidant-rich
• calming and soothing

Amber in its natural state remains popular to wear for everyone from babies to adults suffering from arthritis due to its pain relieving potential.

So how exactly does succinic acid work in amber teething necklaces?

In theory, when placed around baby’s neck, Baltic amber warms up, causing it to release oils that contain succinic acid. The acid, in turn, is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Amber teething necklaces aren’t meant to be chewed or gummed on for comfort.

They’re simply meant to be worn around baby’s neck while baby is awake.

Your baby can and will probably want to use other physical forms of teething relief like teething biscuits, a frozen washcloth, or the types of teething necklaces made from silicone or wood that moms wear and babies can chew on.

Definitive scientific studies that show how much succinic acid is released from an amber teething necklace—and whether this amount is substantial enough to have an impact—do not exist.

Succinic acid safety

Succinic acid itself is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), because it “occurs widely as a natural constituent of the plants and animals which are commonly used for human food.” Succinic acid received attention and testing from the FDA since it’s often added to ingestible products.

How to use an amber teething necklace

1. Fasten an appropriately sized necklace around baby’s neck (we recommend a “pop clasp” safety release)
2. You may need to distract baby momentarily so baby forgets the necklace is there
3. Leave the necklace alone; let the amber lay against baby’s skin
4. Remove necklace during naps and at bedtime
5. Never allow baby to wear amber necklaces unsupervised
6. Enjoy the benefits that so many natural mamas attest to

How to find real Baltic amber teething necklaces

Do your research when purchasing an amber teething necklace. You want to be sure it’s made of genuine Baltic amber, and also that it’s raw.

Also, look for your amber to be certified by a third party. The necklaces that we sell are certified authentic by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a nonprofit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology and the jewelry arts. They’re the gold standard when it comes to certifying the authenticity of jewelry and precious stones.

You also want to be sure your amber teething necklaces are:

• Raw and unpolished so that the oils can easily escape the necklace and soothe your child’s gums.
• White, milky yellow, butter-colored, lemon yellow, or green in color. The traditional golden and darker colored beads are most likely cooked to enhance the color, and may be less effective as a result.

Is unpolished or “raw” amber better than polished amber?

We recommend raw, unpolished amber teething necklaces. When amber teething necklaces are polished, the succinic acid can become sealed inside, making it less available to the body.

Raw, unpolished amber is the way nature intended it to be. Raw amber contains the highest levels of succinic acid (up to 8%), which can naturally help quell inflammatory processes in the body.

Not all “raw” amber teething necklaces are truly raw!

Many amber teething necklaces claim to be raw, despite being heat treated in a process called autoclave. This makes the amber easier to work with, but it disqualifies the amber from being truly raw.

How to test your amber to make sure it’s genuine.

There are several tests that will help you confirm you have purchased genuine amber. We recommend these two tests:

1. The heat test
2. The saltwater test

1. The heat test

Heat the tip of a needle or nail, and then touch the heated tip to your amber bead. If it is genuine amber, it will give off a pleasant pine or forest smell, along with a slight smokey smell.

Do NOT hold a flame to the amber, as it will burn and not smell like pine.

Amber burns because amber is a resin, and resins burn. The fact that your amber burns does not mean that it is fake.

To summarize, the heat test does not involve setting your amber on fire. It involves heating a tiny portion of a bead and seeing if it smells of pine.

2. The saltwater test

This test involves creating a glass of extremely salty water and seeing if your amber floats.

Add salt to water in a 1:2 ratio. For example, mix 1/2 cup salt into 1 cup of water. Stir well. Drop your amber necklace in. Does it float? Great! It’s genuine amber.

Note that the water has to be extraordinarily salty water. Regular sea water, or slightly salty water, isn’t adequate to perform the test.

How tight should the necklace be?

A good, standard length for an amber teething necklace is 30 centimeters or approximately 12 inches. This fit isn’t too tight to cause discomfort, but also not too long where baby is more inclined to bite, play, or get tangled in it.

Can my baby wear an amber necklace while she sleeps?

No. Remove the amber teething necklace while baby naps and sleeps.

This is probably the most asked question about amber teething necklaces, as parents are unsure if this is something that can be worn at all hours, even while baby sleeps.

For your child’s safety, only allow them to wear an amber teething necklace during waking hours and while supervised.

Could baby choke on an amber teething necklace?

Parents rightfully wonder if amber teething necklaces are a choking hazard, which is understandable given that it’s placed around baby’s neck.

As mentioned above, the necklace length should be at least 12 inches long so it’s not too tight and definitely not too long, both of which can be dangerous. The necklace also shouldn’t be worn while the baby sleeps or if the child is unattended.

Many amber teething necklaces feature breakaway closures (aka “pop clasps”) and double knotted beads to provide additional safety measures against strangulation and choking.

How to care for an amber teething necklace

Wash your necklace every month or so with gentle soap and let dry it in the sun. Your child can bathe with his/her necklace on, too. It’s best to take amber necklaces off before entering a chlorinated pool.

Other benefits of amber

Online sellers of amber point out some long believed benefits, including controlling the pain of:

• rheumatism
• arthritis
• and aching muscles and joints

They also claim amber can act as an anti-anxiety remedy that relieves fatigue and weariness.

Others get a little more woo woo, praising amber for its psychic protection, ability to balance emotions, and release negative energy.

2021 update – Paleopharmaceuticals from Baltic amber might fight drug-resistant infections

Per this article and press conference from the American Chemical Society, scientists recently pinpointed compounds that help explain Baltic amber’s therapeutic effects — and which may lead to new medicines to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. This is very encouraging news, as each year in the USA nearly three million people get antibiotic-resistant infections. And it also affirms why people in the Baltic nations have used amber for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years.

Baltic amber folklore

Historians don’t know when, exactly, humans began using amber as a medical tool. However, there’s evidence that people prized amber as far back as the paleolithic period (think cavemen).

With amber’s age somewhere in the tens of millions of years, there’s little surprise that extensive lore exists as to both its metaphysical and medicinal properties. Amber used to be worn to protect the swapping of newborn babies, not to mention preventing snake bites. But from very early on, those who grew up with it believed it to have healing properties.

There’s written mention of amber as a healing agent as far back as 79 AD. Amberpieces.com describes the recommended uses of amber in ingestible and distilled forms in the 17th and 18th century:

[D]octors recommended the use of amber remedies for rheumatic and heart diseases, skin tone and convulsions, neuropathic disorders, ailments of the lungs, kidneys and other internal organs, and for curing ulcers. Another recommendation of amber as a traditional remedy was the use of it against common coughs or stiff-neck pains.

Amber enthusiasts will point to how, in 1886, Nobel-prize winner Robert Koch discovered that a derivative of amber had “a positive influence on the body.” (Technically, he discovered an acid via his own bodily secretions that happens to be in amber, but the story remains true-ish.) The 1930s and 1940s found that the same acid was critical to how the body functioned.

Today, the Baltic region still carries amber products in its pharmacies.

Should you buy an amber teething necklace?

Given all this information, should you consider buying an amber teething necklace for your baby?

Anecdotal evidence of amber’s efficacy as a teething necklace abound in both directions, but the scientific research is sparse.

However, amber teething necklaces may pose a risk if used improperly, or if the child is unsupervised while wearing one.

If you choose to use one of these necklaces, always supervise your child while he or she wears it.

Mama Natural recommends that you look at other natural teething remedies as an alternative to amber teething necklaces.

How about you?

Did your baby wear an amber teething necklace? Let us know if you’ve tried an amber teething necklace and how it worked!

The post The Natural Mama’s Guide to Amber Teething Necklaces appeared first on Mama Natural.

While we can’t tell you how your baby will handle teething (sorry—every kid is truly different), we can tell you which teeth come in which order, and at what age to expect them!

When do babies start teething

Most babies begin teething around 6–8 months of age, and those teeth will usually emerge in a predictable order. However, babies are all unique, and some can get their first tooth as early as 3 months—or as late as 1 year.

Do yourself a favor and don’t sweat it. As long as your baby is happy and meeting other developmental milestones, he or she is right on track. (My children were always on the late side of teeth development, not getting their first one till 9 and 10 months!) If you still have concerns, talk to your child’s doctor.

How many teeth do kids have? How many baby teeth?

As you’ll see in the teeth diagram, by the time your child is 3, she should have all of her baby teeth, which includes:

• 4 central incisors
• 4 lateral incisors
• 4 canines, and
• 8 molars
• for a total of 20 baby teeth.

When babies start shedding teeth at around 7 years, they will begin to get the full set of adult teeth (32 teeth, including wisdom molars).

Baby Teething Chart

If you’re wondering when your baby might be getting her first (or next) tooth, here’s a handy tooth eruption chart to help you figure it out.

Baby Teeth Schedule

When does baby get each tooth? And what are they for? We’ll tell you in this list.

Central Incisor (8–12 months)

These are typically the first teeth a baby will get. The lower central incisors come in around 6–10 months, while the upper central incisors come in around 8–12 months.

These first teeth are meant to help baby bite into and shear food into small pieces. Many parents delay solids until this first tooth appears or until 9 months of age if no tooth yet. However, the gums and jaws of babies are quite strong so they can enjoy pureed or very soft solids even before a tooth comes in. If she only has the bottom teeth, baby can use them to bite soft foods (like liver or egg yolk) by pushing the tooth against the top gums.

Some believe this is evidence that babies don’t need foods to be puréed—in lieu, these parents often opt for a more intuitive style of infant feeding, called baby-led weaning. With proper teeth for biting and cutting food, baby-led weaning supporters believe there is little reason to worry about choking. Additionally, they believe allowing baby to bite into appropriate foods gives her practice at using those teeth, learning to manipulate food in the mouth, and bringing food to the back of the mouth for swallowing.

Lateral Incisor (10–16 months)

These teeth typically come in second. The upper set tends to come in slightly earlier (9–13 months), while the lowers come in around 10–16 months. These teeth are also for biting and shearing food into manageable pieces, but both the central and lateral incisors are used for more than biting food. These teeth actually help keep the shape and form of your face. Your lips rest against your teeth, and without them, your face would sag (a bit weird to think about isn’t it?). The incisors also help you speak! If you try to say words with a th sound (like in birth), you’ll notice that you must press your tongue against your top incisors to make the sound. Finally, incisors help guide your jaw when you close your mouth.

Cuspid aka Canine (16–23 months)

Again, the upper canines come in slightly earlier, at 16–22 months, while the lower canines emerge around 17–23 months. Canines are sharp, pointy teeth that are used to bite and tear denser foods (like steak). Canines are at the corner of the mouth, bridging the front teeth with the back. They also help align the jaw when you close your mouth, keep your face shape, and help you speak. Additionally, canines are like corner-posts that help guide your teeth while you chew.

First Molar (13–19 months)

The first molar tends to come in before the canines, but not always. The first lower molar emerges around 14–18 months, while the upper first molar can come in anywhere from 13–19 months. Molars are used to grind and crush certain foods that are tough to chew otherwise, like seeds and hardy grains. In fact, some healthcare professionals believe you shouldn’t feed babies grains until the molars come in, as these teeth help baby to grind and break down grains to better digest them.

Second Molar (23–33 months)

The second molars come in later. When life has settled down from teething, all of a sudden it’s back with a vengeance! The lower second molar pops out around 23–31 months, while the upper emerges at 25–33 months. Both sets of molars help support their face shape by filling out their cheeks, as well as support chewing grains, nuts, seeds and hard, raw produce like carrots and apples.

Your baby’s teething chart experience may vary

Each baby develops differently, and that includes baby teeth order and time of emergence! Don’t worry if your baby is a little behind or ahead of the schedule above.

Enjoy your child’s emerging teeth, and don’t forget to brush them!

How about you?

Did your baby’s teeth arrive on schedule? Which tooth came first?

The post Baby Teething Chart: What Order Do They Come In? appeared first on Mama Natural.

Here’s a video!

Baby Teething Remedy #1: Apply Cold and Pressure

It’s one of the older natural teething remedies in the book, but using cold and pressure to help baby’s aching gums is an excellent teething remedy. Give baby safe, non-toxic objects that can be frozen and then used to chew on. The cold helps numb the area, and the pressure soothes inflamed gums.

Here are some examples:

• Frozen washcloths: Soak a small washcloth in water, wring out, then freeze for at least an hour. Let baby chew on the washcloth after it comes out of the freezer.
• Frozen fruit or veggies: Put these foods in a mesh or silicone teether for small babies and freeze for at least an hour. For older babies, put a banana in the freezer for a tasty snack that’s also one of the best natural teething remedies.
• A cold spoon: Put a metal spoon in the fridge for at least 15 minutes, then give it to baby to gum.
• Natural teething biscuits: These biscuits are easy to make and don’t contain questionable ingredients like the ones you buy in the store (even the organic ones!). They can be kept in the refrigerator for a cooler treat.

Baby Teething Pain Relief #2: Try Teething Toys

Something to chew on is sometimes one of the only natural teething remedies baby really needs to get through the pain of teething. There are lots of options for teething toys that are also safe and non-toxic.

• Silicone teething rings: Made of safe silicone, rather than latex or plastic, this teether is a safe choice.
• Wooden teethers: What works for one baby may not work for the next, so if silicone and rubber don’t do it, try a wooden teether. The texture might be just right for your baby. Just be sure to choose a brand that uses natural water-based sealants or food grade dyes. And be aware that some teethers need to be oiled or (bees)waxed before use.

What about Sophie the giraffe?

Sophie used to be the gold-standard when it came to natural teething remedies. But there’s been controversy after some moms found mold inside their toys. Until the manufacturer solves this problem, we don’t recommend this teether.

Infant Teething Remedy #3: Use Teething Necklaces

Teething necklaces for mom

Another option is a teething necklace for mom. These necklaces are made of silicone and are great for baby to use while sitting in mom’s lap or in a baby carrier. They also act as something for baby to fiddle with while she nurses.

silicone teething necklace for mom BPA–free

Baby Teething Pain Relief #4: Experiment With Herbal Remedies

Parents have been using herbal remedies for hundreds of years to help ease their baby’s teething pain (and loads of other ailments).

Here are some ideas:

• Rosehip: Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, rosehip tea is great for boosting the immune system. Additionally, rosehip has been shown to contain anti-inflammatory properties.
• Chamomile: Chamomile is one of the more popular natural teething remedies. It helps relax and soothe irritability.
• Catnip: Catnip is said to calm irritable babies and help them rest.
• Clove: Clove is a natural anesthetic and has been shown to work as well as benzocaine at relieving pain.

How to use herbal teething remedies

• Make a tea: Any of these herbs can be made into a tea, which can be used to dampen a washcloth before freezing.
• Give as a beverage: To make a tea, boil water and steep 1 tsp of herbs in 10 ounces of water for 6–7 minutes. Let cool fully before serving to baby in a bottle or with a syringe.
• Rub directly onto gums: To make an herbal infusion that can be rubbed directly onto the gums, place herbs in a small saucepan and cover with olive oil. Simmer on low for 4-6 hours. Strain and store in the refrigerator. Dab some cool oil onto baby’s gums as needed.

Baby Teething Remedy #5: Lower Inflammation

Inflammation from teething can stimulate nerves that cause pain, so reducing inflammation is one way you can help relieve baby’s pain.

• Try a low inflammation diet: If baby is eating solids, white foods, such as refined sugar and flour, potatoes, and even dairy, can cause inflammation. Focus on paleo-type foods—a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, pastured meats, wild seafood, ample healthy fats (coconut, avocado, butter, and whole eggs).
• Lower stress: Over time, stress can cause inflammation. Make sure baby is getting enough rest and eating healthy foods in addition to breastmilk or formula.
• Balance blood sugar: Blood sugar swings (highs and lows) require the stress hormones to get involved to keep blood sugar stable (yes, even in babies and young children!). To keep blood sugar levels stable, focus on whole foods instead of highly processed snacks. Try to pair healthy carbs (like sweet potatoes and fruit) with protein and plenty of healthy fats.

Baby Teething Remedies #6: Boost the Immune System

There is some debate whether teething causes fevers and colds by lowering the immune system, or whether the two occurring at the same time is simply a coincidence. However, many parents do notice a runny nose or fever while baby is cutting teeth. At the very least, boosting the immune system can’t hurt and can help prevent baby from dealing with double ailments.

• Continue breastfeeding: Baby gets antibodies from your breastmilk to help build her immune system.
• Give baby vitamin D: Many of us (and our babies) are vitamin D deficient because of too little time outside in direct sunlight, and vitamin D plays an important role in supporting immune system function. Babies can take liquid vitamin D drops to get their levels up to a normal range.
• Give baby probiotics: Since most of the immune system resides in the gut, building healthy gut flora is important for overall health and immunity.

What about amber necklaces?

If you’ve been around the natural mama circuit, you’ve likely seen those cute amber necklaces on infants. They are actually amber necklaces. The idea is that baby’s body heat triggers the baltic amber to release an oil that contains succinic acid, a natural anti-inflammatory. I no longer recommend amber teething necklaces for babies or children. While they are safe if used as instructed, too many babies are being injured as a result of improper use. For a sleep deprived mom, it’s easy to forget to take the necklace off during car rides or nap time. This is why I urge moms: DO NOT TAKE THIS RISK. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. Rely on the other teething tools listed in this post.

Teething Isn’t Fun, But…

Luckily there are lots of things you can do to help baby cope. Try some of these simple and natural teething remedies to help relieve pain at the gums. And don’t underestimate the importance of overall health to alleviate excess inflammation. Soon, baby will be back to normal… until the next tooth comes in!

How About You?

What natural teething remedies worked for you?

The post Natural Baby Teething Remedies appeared first on Mama Natural.

Did you know that these baby teeth start forming even before birth? In fact, some babies are born with some teeth that have already broken through the gum! (Can you imagine?!) But for most children, their baby teeth will start making their debut sometime in the first year of life.

When do babies start teething?

Many parents are wondering: When will my child get his/her first tooth? After all, it’s an exciting milestone! And proof that they are healthy and growing. But just like with starting to eat solids, or when they are ready for potty training, the age can vary from child to child. Some children will be closer to their first birthday before they get their first tooth—for example, my kids were 9 and 10 months when they got their first baby teeth. But the typical age for a first tooth is around 6 months.

From birth, baby already has all of his teeth hanging out underneath the gums, just waiting to emerge. The time that they choose to come through varies from baby to baby, but teeth almost always follow a pattern of which tooth comes first, next, and so on… all the way up to the last. The emergence of teeth is usually symmetrical as well, meaning that both front teeth (central incisors) will come in before the next set of two (lateral incisors), and so on. See the chart below for a good visual.

How long does it take for all 20 baby teeth to come in?

Some babies will get many teeth quickly, one right after the other, which makes for a stressful and sleepless week or two. Others will get them gradually so that the teething is drawn out over a longer period—but is typically more bearable for all. Whether your baby is a quick teether or a gradual teether, it still usually takes until sometime in the second year of life to get their final molars. Most children will have all 20 primary teeth by the time they are 3 years old.

Help! My baby isn’t getting his teeth on schedule!

Throw the guidelines out. Stop comparing with your friend’s baby, and trust that your child will get her teeth when it’s the right time for her. In almost all cases, babies—even slow or super fast teethers—are perfectly healthy, and there is no need to worry if they don’t fall within the “schedule.” Of course, always talk to your child’s pediatrician if you are concerned or want more information.

What types of teeth are there? Baby teeth order

Children have fewer teeth than adults (children have 20; adults have 32). Children have the following teeth, which also typically come in this order (again, there are always exceptions):

• Central Incisors (the two front teeth)
• Lateral Incisors (the teeth just to the left and right of the two front)
• Canines
• First Molars
• Second Molars

Baby Teeth Chart

Teething symptoms

Some babies have a terrible time with just one tooth coming in, while others don’t seem to be bothered at all, despite having two molars breaking through. What gives?! Children have varying levels of pain tolerance and sensitivity, so you’ll have to just watch and care for your little one as appropriate for his or her situation.

For those children who do seem to be sensitive to teething pain, it can start as early as 2–3 months before the first tooth appears. (So, if you do the math, babies can technically start teething as early as 2–3 months!) The key is to start soothing their discomfort right away so that you can get ahead of the pain.

Teething baby symptoms include:

• Biting more than usual
• Excessive drool
• Fussier than usual, especially at night
• Disturbances in sleep patterns
• Fever, rashes, cough, and diarrhea
• Decreased appetite or even a nursing strike
• Pulling of ears and rubbing of chin and cheeks
• Swollen and inflamed gums
• Small white teeth popping through the gums (this one’s a tell-tale sign of course!)

Learn more about teething symptoms here.

What can I do if my baby is miserable over teething?

You can imagine that having sharp, hard teeth emerge through delicate gums can be uncomfortable to say the least.

Here are some things you can try to sooth your little one’s pain:

• Offer baby a cold teething ring (where to buy)
• Let baby chew on a frozen washcloth
• Give baby a frozen carrot or spoon
• Fill a fresh food feeder with frozen mango or melon

I wrote a whole post with effective natural remedies for teething pain here, so be sure to check that out if your child is suffering! (I feel your pain, as my son had a hard time with teething.)

Teething will end around age 3

No matter how bad the teething or biting, remember that this process is relatively short-lived. It *will* pass, eventually (even if it feels never-ending at the time!). Most children will have all of their teeth and molars in around the age of 3. In the meantime, use effective teething remedies, and celebrate as each pearly white comes in!

The post When Do Babies Start Teething? And Other Teething Questions Answered appeared first on Mama Natural.

I think these ingredients should be illegal to serve to children. Even the “organic” varieties use enriched flours, rancid vegetable oils, and dry milk.

So, as your kids start teething (here’s how to tell if they are), be sure to try these effective and natural teething remedies. But, if you’re like me, you might also want to give them a nutritious biscuit to chew on. Teething biscuits can soothe gums and are great practice for eating solid foods (aka baby-led weaning).

Note: these biscuits aren’t really made for “eating” per se, but rather tasting and gnawing.

Teething Biscuits Ingredients

I used a combination of rolled and steel cut oats as my flour base to make it gluten free. I would assume you could replace the oats with sprouted flours from millet, spelt, and brown rice.

I included maple syrup as my sweetener but you could replace with apple sauce, dates or none at all. Since babies won’t be chowing down on these, I’m OK with the added sweetener. (You gotta give them some incentive to gnaw on!) Plus, maple syrup does contain some trace minerals and is a healthier alternative.

I used organic, unrefined coconut oil since it can withstand high heat and is made up of medium-chain fatty acids (particularly the antimicrobial lauric acid) similar to breast milk.

I made without eggs since some babies react to the whites under 1 year of age.

Here are a couple of recipes that I’ve adapted:

Apple Teething Biscuits Recipe

• 1 c. rolled oats
• 1 c. steel cut oats (grind oats in blender till they’re a flour consistency)
• 1 c. organic apple sauce (be sure it’s thick or drain any liquid part)
• 2 TB maple syrup
• 2 TB coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp each of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract
• 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
• 1/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Mix dry ingredients. Add in syrup and melted oil. Form date-like shapes and put on greased baking sheet or parchment paper.

Bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes, depending on your oven. Flip them halfway through so that you have a nice golden crisp on both sides of biscuit.

Store in uncovered dish for at least 24 hours which will harden them further. You can also put in freezer and serve cold for extra teething relief! (A hard texture is good so that they don’t break apart while baby is gnawing.)

Banana Teething Biscuits Recipe

• 1 c. rolled oats
• 1 c. steel cut oats (grind oats in blender till they’re a flour consistency)
• 1 c. of mashed ripe bananas (no added sweetener is needed if bananas are ripe)
• 2 TB coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp each of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract
• 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
• 1/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Mix dry ingredients. Add in mashed bananas and melted oil. Form date-like shapes and put on greased baking sheet or parchment paper.

Bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes, depending on your oven. Flip them halfway through so that you have a nice golden crisp on both sides of biscuit.

Store in uncovered dish for at least 24 hours which will harden them further. You can also put in freezer and serve cold for extra teething relief!

Pumpkin Teething Biscuits

• 1 c. rolled oats
• 1 c. steel cut oats (grind oats in blender till they’re a flour consistency)
• 1 c. pumpkin puree
• 2 TB maple syrup
• 2 TB coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp each of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract
• 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
• 1/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Mix dry ingredients. Add in pumpkin and melted oil. Form date-like shapes and put on greased baking sheet or parchment paper.

Bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes, depending on your oven. Flip them halfway through so that you have a nice golden crisp on both sides of biscuit.

Store in uncovered dish for at least 24 hours which will harden them further. You can also put in freezer and serve cold for extra teething relief!

homemade teething biscuits punkin before mixing
Pumpkin teething biscuits ingredients before mixing

The post Homemade Teething Biscuits Recipe appeared first on Mama Natural.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

The tricky thing about teething is that symptoms can start 2 to 3 months before a tooth surfaces! This can be brutal for baby and family if there’s a lot of discomfort.

Teething Symptoms: How Do You Know If Your Baby is Teething?

Watch this video to find out.

The key is to look for these seven teething symptoms

1. Biting more than usual

This teething symptom will turn your baby into a vampire. Bite, bite, bite on anything from plastic spoons, to toys, to your breast. Griffin liked chewing on hard plastic things the best., but there’s a plethora of teething toys on the market which may also help.

2. Excessive drool

When babies are still newborns, they’re still learning how to swallow their saliva—this causes excessive drooling. Fast forward to teething, and the drooling starts again (or never stops in some cases). When baby is teething, the body creates extra saliva to lubricate the tender and bulging gums.

3. Fussier than usual, especially at night

These teething symptoms make babies who once slept through the night start to wake up several times for comfort. In the quiet hours of night, a baby often feels the teething pain more because there are fewer distractions.

4. Disturbances in sleep patterns

Because of teething discomfort, babies will usually nap less and wake up earlier in the morning. Fun times for all involved with these teething symptoms!

5. Fever, rashes, cough, and diarrhea

Although some doctors disagree, many mamas detect a slight fever (under 100 degrees) in their babies when teeth are imminent. Additionally, the extra drool can cause facial rashes, chafing, and coughing, since it pools at the back of the throat. Some babies even develop diaper rash and diarrhea.

6. Decreased appetite

When babies are in pain, they generally don’t want to eat, especially since it triggers their sore spots. Keep trying to feed them as much as possible, despite the resistance. Call your doctor if baby’s caloric input decreases dramatically.

7. Pulling of ears and rubbing of chin and cheeks

Babies can be quite resourceful and administer self massage. By pulling and rubbing around their jaw, they create counter pressure that eases some of the pain and throbbing.

Baby Teeth Chart: Which Baby Teeth Come In First?

If your little baby is acting different lately because of teething symptoms, take heart there’s good reason. Soon enough, her little pearly whites will surface. Here’s a quick look at which baby teeth come in first:

For more on which baby teeth come in first, check out this whole post on the subject.

Baby Teething Pain Relief

While all of these baby teeth come in, we don’t have to be victims to teething symptoms. There are some great things we can do to comfort baby in the midst of the teething process:

1. Lower inflammation: Inflammation from teething stimulate nerves, causing pain.
2. Boost the immune system: There is some debate whether teething lowers the immune system, or whether the emergence of colds and fevers while teething is simply a coincidence. Either way, boosting baby’s immunity can’t hurt.
3. Apply cold and pressure: Cold helps numb the area, while pressure soothes inflamed gums.
4. Try teething toys: Safe and non-toxic objects that baby can chew apply counter pressure to aching gums.
5. Herbal remedies: To help ease teething pain, make an herbal tea, soak a washcloth, freeze it, then let baby chew on it.

Want to learn more? Check out my full post on effective teething remedies.

How About You?

What teething symptoms did your baby have?

The post Teething Symptoms: 7 Signs Your Baby is Teething appeared first on Mama Natural.