5 Things Indian Parents Get Wrong About Baby Teething

Teething advice in India is everywhere — from your mother-in-law to the WhatsApp parenting group to the friendly aunty at the park. Much of it is well-intentioned, passed down through generations, and genuinely believed by caring parents. Some of it, however, is outdated or contradicts current paediatric guidelines.

Here, we break down the five most common teething misconceptions in Indian households — and share what the evidence and paediatricians actually recommend.

Myth 1: Diarrhoea Is a Normal Symptom of Teething

The belief: It's extremely common in India to hear that loose stools accompany teething — that "teeth cause diarrhoea." This belief is held across generations and regions.

The reality: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) state that diarrhoea is not a symptom of teething. The confusion may arise because teething begins around the same age that babies start putting more objects in their mouths, increasing exposure to pathogens. Any episode of diarrhoea in a teething baby should be taken seriously and evaluated by a paediatrician — not dismissed as "just teething."

Myth 2: Teething Causes High Fever

The belief: Many Indian parents expect fever as a standard accompaniment to teething and may delay seeking medical care during a teething period.

The reality: A very mild temperature elevation (below 38°C / 100.4°F) is reported by some paediatricians as possibly associated with teething — but this is not consistent across research, and a true fever (above 38°C) is not caused by teething. A fever in a teething baby should be evaluated by a doctor, not attributed to teeth.

Myth 3: Applying Honey, Kalonji, or Home Remedies to Baby's Gums Is Safe

The belief: A range of traditional remedies are commonly used across Indian households — rubbing honey on the gums, applying kalonji (black seed) oil, using clove oil, or even (historically) rubbing a small amount of spirit on the gums.

The reality:

•        Honey: Must never be given to babies under 12 months in any form. It carries a risk of infant botulism — a rare but serious bacterial illness that young babies cannot fight. This is not a "small" risk — it is a hard medical contraindication.

•        Clove oil: Clove oil contains eugenol, which can cause irritation and burns to baby's sensitive mucous membranes. It is not recommended for infant gum application.

•        Brandy or spirits: Applying alcohol to a baby's gums was once a common suggestion. It is now firmly contraindicated by paediatric authorities — even small amounts of alcohol are harmful to infants.

Myth 4: Any Teether Is a Safe Teether

The belief: Parents assume that anything marketed as a "baby teether" is safe by definition.

The reality: In India, there is currently no mandatory pre-market safety testing for baby teethers. A product can be sold as a baby teether without any independent safety verification. As Nubokind's founder Aditya Chopra found, 9 out of 10 teethers sold in India have no BIS certification.

Uncertified plastic teethers can leach endocrine-disrupting chemicals — including BPA, phthalates, and BPS. Research shows that infants carry 20 times the microplastic concentration of adults, largely due to the plastic objects they chew on.

Myth 5: Teething Pain Doesn't Need Management — Babies "Just Cope"

The belief: Some parents minimise teething discomfort, assuming babies will cope with the pain naturally and that intervention is unnecessary or even "coddling."

The reality: Teething genuinely hurts. The pressure of a tooth pushing through gum tissue creates real inflammation and discomfort. A baby who is cranky, not sleeping, and constantly chewing is in pain — and safe relief (a chilled teether, gentle gum massage) helps them and you.

Nubokind's philosophy  is directly aligned with this: our products aren't passive comfort objects. They're purposefully engineered tools that address a real developmental need — soothing discomfort while building motor skills and sensory development simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is loose stool during teething normal in Indian babies?

A: No. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics does not recognise diarrhoea as a teething symptom. If your baby has loose stools during teething, consult your paediatrician.

Q: Can I put clove oil on my baby's gums for teething pain?

A: Clove oil is not recommended for infant gum application. It contains eugenol, which can irritate and burn sensitive baby gum tissue. A chilled silicone teether is a safer, paediatrician-recommended alternative.

Q: What do Indian paediatricians recommend for teething pain?

A: Most Indian paediatricians recommend safe counter-pressure using a chilled (not frozen) silicone teether, gentle gum massage with a clean finger, and monitoring for any symptoms (fever above 38°C, diarrhoea) that require medical attention.