Somewhere between four and seven months, many babies start to get teeth, which experienced moms know affects much more than just their mouths. Besides the sore gums and general crankiness, teething can cause a rash-producing drool, earaches and also lead to sleep problems. Many moms rely on these tips and remedies to get them through trying teething times:

Apply a little pressure. Some babies find it soothing to have their gums rubbed softly. Try teething toys. Teething rings and other toys are easy for baby to grasp and help them work out the discomfort. To keep them clean, try to wash them regularly with mild soap and water.

Freeze a facecloth. Lots of babies like to gnaw on a clean washcloth that’s been placed in the freezer for an hour or so. The texture is rough enough to soothe those itchy gums, and the cold helps numb the soreness.

Feed some frozen fruit. Some moms like to freeze soft fruits like bananas and peaches and put them in a safe baby feeder. Then baby gets a nutritious snack as well as some teething relief.

Keep baby’s skin dry. Some moms find that having lots of extra bibs on hand can help protect their baby’s skin from the extra drool that sometimes goes along with teething.

Protect with a barrier. Lots of moms like to smooth some petroleum jelly on commonly affected areas like the chin and neck to help prevent more irritation.