I must admit that I am a little biased towards popsicles this time of year in Arizona. Sometimes they are the quickest way to cool a toddler down after hanging out in the desert heat. Another advantage? They make awesome teethers for toddlers.
Brody is 15 months old, and it seems like he’s been teething during at least 12 of the last 15 months. When he started teething, I went through and tested over a dozen teethers on the market. Some were cute and some were practical, but some of my favorites have been natural teethers.
I’ve been experimenting with different frozen combinations to help soothe his gums. My favorite? A frozen strawberry and chamomile natural teething popsicle.
Chamomile has the reputation of having a calming effect on upset stomachs and helping troubled sleepers, but one of the lesser known uses of chamomile is to soothe gum inflammation. For these popsicles, I use a very diluted form of brewed chamomile tea. Never use caffeinated.
IMPORTANT! As with any new food, herb or medicine for your little one, check with your healthcare provider first. You can also swap out the chamomile tea for coconut water or milk.
Strawberry and Chamomile Natural Teething Popsicles
(makes 6 popsicles)
2 cups of boiling water
1 chamomile tea bag (make sure it is caffeine free) – swap out with coconut water or milk if preferred
10-12 ripe strawberries
Boil 2 cups of water and let the chamomile tea bag brew for 5 minutes. Trim stems from strawberries and muddle (or puree) the berries until they form a chunky liquid. After the tea has cooled, pour it into popsicle molds, filling each one 2/3 of the way. Fill the remaining 1/3 of the mold with muddled strawberries. Freeze overnight.
My other favorite natural teether? Chilled cucumber teething rings! Here’s the simple tutorial for these magical rings. Here’s to soothed gums and happy babies!