Baby Teething

Baby Teething 911 - What Parents Needs to Know to Help You Both Through It

By Kyra Bradbury

Once your baby starts teething, there's no way to know how the experience will go. Some babies will be over it in a flash, and others will seem like all they do is cut teeth. For some babies, the experience is drawn out and very painful and yet for others, it's more of a slight inconvenience than anything else. You may be able to feel a lump in your baby's gum before it's big arrival or you may have no clues what-so-ever until the pearly white tooth appears.

Usually teething will begin around the sixth or seventh month. Some babies will begin to cut teeth as early as three months. Late bloomers may not even see their first tooth until one year of age. Generally, though, the pattern of teething will follow genetic patterns. If you received your first tooth at an early age, it's likely that your baby will too. The symptoms of teething can precede the actual tooth by as much as two or three months.

Your baby may experience any combination of the following symptoms of teething:

1. Drooling: Teething stimulates drooling. Some babies will drool more than others. Letting your baby wear a bib will help keep baby nice and dry if the drooling becomes heavy.

2. A Rash Around The Mouth Area: Excess drooling can cause irritation on the tender skin from the constant wetness of the saliva. In order to prevent the irritation, you may wish to wipe your baby's mouth throughout the day. If your baby's skin around the mouth does become chapped and dry use a skin cream that is mild, preferably one that is specifically designed for baby's skin. Speak to your baby's pediatrician for a specific recommendation.

3. Cough Without Cold Or Other Symptoms: The excess saliva once again is the culprit and causes baby to cough or gag sometimes. Sometimes the cough is simply a means of getting much loved attention. Be sure, though, that your baby does not have a cold, allergies or the flu.

4. Biting: The pressure from biting fingers, toys, or anything else for that matter, help your baby relieve the pain of the emerging tooth.

5. Pain & Irritability: The first teeth emerging will generally cause the most pain. Molars are also very painful because of their size, but these teeth will usually not come until after baby's first birthday. Usually babies become used to the pain and can sort of learn to live with it after awhile. If you want to offer relief, you can do so with Motrin (if your baby is over 6 months of age) or Tylenol. Baby Orajel can be used as a topical pain reliever also. Teething rings and teething toys can also offer relief to your baby. Be sure to check with your baby's pediatrician for specific medicine guidelines appropriate for the weight and age of your baby. The pain your baby experiences may cause night waking and ear pulling as well. Be ware that these symptoms can also appear with an ear infection as well. If you are unsure at any time, it's always best to check with your child's pediatrician.

6. Eating Strike: Baby will suddenly refuse preferred foods if he or she has started solids. Offer soft foods or whatever baby will tolerate during these times. If your baby refuses solids for awhile, it need not be of much concern since baby will still get most of his or her nutrition from breast milk or formula. Your baby will sometimes seem to want to nurse all the time and may even get frustrated when the pressure of the suction created by him or her causes more pain. If more than one or two feedings are missed because of this type of problem, be sure to consult your baby's pediatrician for help.

7. Low Grade Fever: Despite many doctors still not willing to make the association between teething and any fever, many experienced moms still swear that teething can bring on a low grade fever (below 101 degrees rectally). Still, if your baby does experience a fever with or without teething it should be treated as with any other low grade fever. Call your baby's pediatrician if the low grade fever continues for more than three days.

Once you are sure that your baby is indeed teething you can help him or her by offering something cold to chew on like a cold teething ring or a frozen bagel or banana. Always use any remedy under close supervision. You can also offer a cold drink in a bottle or cup. Babies often will appreciate cold foods as well, such as cold applesauce, pureed peaches or cold yogurt. Again, children's Tylenol can also be used, but please check with your baby's pediatrician first for the correct dosage.

Kyra Brandbury has been a freelance writer for over ten years and mother of three. She is currently working on her new blog, Stay At Home Mompreneurs.