For a 5-month-old, the safest and most effective teething relief comes from simple physical remedies: a chilled (not frozen) rubber teething ring, a clean wet washcloth, or gentle gum massage with your finger. If your baby is in significant discomfort, infant acetaminophen is an option with your pediatrician’s guidance, but most teething pain responds well to non-medication approaches.
What Teething Looks Like at 5 Months
Most babies get their first teeth around 6 months, but the process of teeth pushing toward the surface starts weeks earlier. At 5 months, your baby is likely in the early stages. The gums may look red, swollen, and tender where the bottom two front teeth (central incisors) are preparing to break through. You’ll probably notice more drooling than usual, along with increased chewing on hands, toys, and anything within reach.
Teething discomfort tends to come and go. Your baby might be fussy for a few days, then perfectly fine, then fussy again as the teeth move closer to the surface. True teething rarely causes a high fever. If your baby’s temperature climbs above 102°F, something else is likely going on, such as an ear infection or virus, and it’s worth a call to your pediatrician.
Best Non-Medication Remedies
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting with physical comfort measures, and for most 5-month-olds, these are all you’ll need.
Gum massage. Wash your hands, then gently rub your baby’s swollen gums with a clean finger. The counter-pressure feels good against the pushing sensation of an emerging tooth. Many babies calm down quickly with this alone.
Solid rubber teething rings. Choose a firm teething ring made of solid rubber rather than one filled with liquid. Liquid-filled rings can harbor bacteria over time, and if your baby bites through one, they’ll get a mouthful of whatever was inside. Solid rings are simpler and just as effective. You can chill the ring in the refrigerator to add a soothing cool sensation, but don’t put it in the freezer. A frozen teether becomes rock-hard and can actually bruise or damage your baby’s tender gums.
Cold washcloth. Wet a clean washcloth, wring it out, and place it in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. The texture gives your baby something satisfying to gnaw on, and the cold helps numb the gums naturally. Always supervise your baby with a washcloth to prevent any choking risk.
When to Consider Pain Medication
If your baby is truly miserable and physical remedies aren’t cutting it, infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the main medication option at this age. The liquid form comes in a concentration of 160 mg per 5 mL, and dosing is based on your baby’s weight, not their age. Because acetaminophen is not recommended for children under 2 without a doctor’s guidance, call your pediatrician before giving the first dose. They can confirm the right amount for your baby’s current weight.
If you do use acetaminophen, you can give a dose every 4 hours as needed, but no more than 5 doses in a 24-hour period.
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) is not safe for your 5-month-old. It has not been found safe in babies under 6 months, and the FDA has not approved its use in that age group. Once your baby turns 6 months, ibuprofen becomes an option, but for now, stick with acetaminophen if medication is needed.
Products to Avoid
Several popular teething products are actually unsafe for infants, even though you’ll still find them on store shelves.
Numbing gels with benzocaine or lidocaine. Over-the-counter oral gels like Orajel contain topical anesthetics that can cause a rare but serious condition where the blood’s ability to carry oxygen drops dangerously. The FDA and AAP both recommend against using these products in young children. They also wash out of the mouth quickly with saliva, so whatever brief relief they offer doesn’t last.
Homeopathic teething tablets. The FDA has issued direct warnings about homeopathic teething tablets, particularly those containing belladonna. Testing of products from major brands found that the actual levels of active compounds varied wildly from tablet to tablet, with some containing far more belladonna alkaloids (which affect the nervous system and heart rate) than the label stated. The FDA urges parents not to use these products and to throw away any they already have at home.
Amber teething necklaces. These pose a strangulation and choking hazard. There is no evidence that amber releases any meaningful amount of pain-relieving substance through the skin.
How Long Teething Discomfort Lasts
The worst discomfort typically hits in the few days right before a tooth breaks through the gum and eases up once the tooth is visible. The bottom two front teeth usually come first, followed by the top two front teeth a couple of months later. Each new tooth can bring a fresh round of fussiness, but most parents find that the first few teeth are the hardest. Babies seem to adjust to the sensation over time, and by the time the side teeth and molars arrive, the process often bothers them less (though molars, with their larger surface area, can be an exception).
For a 5-month-old, you’re likely at the very beginning of this process. A chilled teething ring and some extra patience will get you through most of it. Save the acetaminophen for the rough nights, and skip anything that comes in a gel tube or a tiny tablet.