We know that teething can be a challenging time for parents and infants, but it is a normal process that all children go through. Baby's first teeth need to break through the gums, which can be painful and distressing. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of teething and a few ideas on how to cope with them.
While it's true that your baby's first teeth could begin to appear as early as 3 months of age or as late as 12 months age, on average, baby teeth begin to break through at about 6 months of age. It's important to remember that every child is unique, but most children will have all 20 primary teeth by the time they are 3 years old.
It's a good idea to take your child to their first dentist appointment within 6 months of their first tooth coming through, or by their first birthday.
Signs & Symptoms of Teething
Teething can be a painful and long process for both you and your child. Swollen and tender gums are common as baby's first teeth are coming in. Be prepared to deal with a few fussy nights and maybe even a couple of good cries, while your child is teething.
Common symptoms of teething include:
- Irritability
- Decreased appetite
- Drooling
- Rubbing face or pulling at ears
- Swollen and tender gums
- Putting everything in their mouth
- Lack of sleep
Coping With Teething
To help relieve your child's discomfort due to teething there are a number of remedies you can try.
You can offer them something to chew on, like a cold or frozen face cloth or a rubber teething ring, or you could massage your baby's gums with a clean finger. Pressure on the gums often helps with the pain and swelling of teething.
Try a few different things to help your baby feel more comfortable, and when in doubt offer up a hug! It's important to remember at this difficult time, that your presence is one of the most comforting things you can offer your baby.
Be patient, overtime you’ll learn what works best for your child, and try to keep in mind that this period in your baby's development won't last long.