The Teething Survival Guide: Signs, Timeline and What Actually Helps
Drool everywhere. Fists in the mouth. A baby who was all smiles an hour ago and now just wants to be held. Welcome to teething! It's a totally normal (and totally exhausting) milestone, and there's so much you can do to make it cozier for everyone. Here's what I wish someone had told me the first time around.
The short version
- Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, but anywhere from 3 to 12 months is normal.
- Simple comforts go a long way: something cool to chew, a gentle gum rub and lots of cuddles.
- A calming jaw massage with an organic teething roller makes a sweet, soothing ritual.
- Little Teethers is our #1 best seller, chosen by over 50,000 families.
When does teething start?
The first tooth usually pops through around 6 months, often the two bottom front teeth. By about age 3, most kids have all 20 baby teeth. Many parents find the very first teeth and the molars (usually somewhere between 13 and 33 months) to be the fussiest stretches.
Signs your baby is teething
- Lots of drool (keep a bib handy!)
- Chewing on everything: fists, toys, your shoulder
- Swollen or tender-looking gums
- A little extra fussiness, especially at night
- Rubbing their cheeks or tugging at their ears
- Wanting more cuddles than usual
Simple comforts that help
Something cool to chew
A firm rubber or silicone teether chilled in the fridge, or a clean, damp washcloth that's been chilled, feels so good on tender gums.
A gentle gum rub
Wash your hands and softly rub your baby's gums with a clean finger. That little bit of pressure is soothing.
Extra snuggles
Babywearing, skin-to-skin and a slower pace for the day. Sometimes comfort is the best medicine for a grumpy little one.
Why parents love Little Teethers
We made Little Teethers for our own son during his teething days, and it's become our most-loved product. It's a small roller filled with organic Roman chamomile, lavender, frankincense and copaiba, gently diluted in organic jojoba and coconut oils. You roll it along the outside of your baby's jaw and cheeks, then massage it in. The soft, calming scent and the massage itself turn fussy moments into a sweet little ritual.
How to use it
- Give the roller a gentle shake.
- Roll along the outside of the jawline and cheeks, under the chin and below the ears.
- Massage it in with your fingertips while you cuddle.
What other parents say
Highly recommend this product for teething babies! It definitely seems to ease the discomfort, and she giggles when I roll it on! ☺️ smells amazing too!
Courtney V., Amazon verified purchase
Seems to work great for our one year old, he'll point at it and clap when we grab it to put on for him so he definitely likes it!
A Foster, Amazon verified purchase
What we use
Little Teethers
Our #1 best seller: organic chamomile, lavender, frankincense and copaiba in a gentle jojoba base. Made for babies 3 months and up, and loved by over 50,000 families.
Shop Little TeethersA quick note
Every baby teethes a little differently. If your little one has a fever or just doesn't seem like themselves, check in with your pediatrician. And it's a great time to plan that first dental visit, ideally by their first birthday.
You've got this, mama. One tooth at a time.
This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for advice from your pediatrician or healthcare provider. Always check with them about your child's health, and call right away for a fever, rash, trouble breathing or anything that feels off.
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