Teething can be a challenging time for both parents and babies. It’s important to remember that not all changes in behavior are necessarily due to teething. However, if your baby is around 6 months of age, it’s likely that teething is the culprit.
Babies typically begin teething around 6 months of age, but some may start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months. Signs that your baby is experiencing teething discomfort include increased drooling, irritability, swollen gums, and refusing to eat or sleep.
To help your teething baby sleep better, you can try using teething toys, offering chilled or frozen teethers, gently massaging their gums with a clean finger, or giving them a cold washcloth to chew on. It’s also important to keep up with good oral hygiene by gently wiping your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth.
If you suspect that your baby may be unwell rather than just teething, look out for signs such as a high fever, severe diarrhea, or unusual rashes. In these cases, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional.
Every baby is different, and each teething experience is unique. As mentioned in the article, every parent’s experience with teething can vary. Trust your instincts and seek support from healthcare providers or parenting resources if needed.
Remember that teething is a temporary phase, and with patience and care, you and your baby will get through it. Stay informed, stay attentive, and most importantly, stay loving towards your little one during this challenging time.
If you’re struggling with helping your baby sleep better, consider seeking advice and support from tools like the Baby Sleep App, which can provide guidance for navigating sleep regressions and other sleep changes. Your baby’s sleep is important for their overall health and development, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.

Dispelling Teething Myths

Older relatives, neighbors, and even medical professionals tend to attribute everything to teething! However, teething is typically a short-lived phase that becomes visible when the tooth emerges.

Baby Behavior around 3 Months

Around the age of 3 months, babies may exhibit behavior changes that resemble teething symptoms. Drooling and putting objects in their mouth is often a sign of readiness for solid foods and not necessarily due to teething. It’s common for babies to experience a sleep regression at 4 months, but this is usually unrelated to teething.

Timing of First Teeth

The first teeth can make an appearance before 4 months or as late as 12 months, but most babies get their first tooth around the 6-month mark. Keep an eye out for the emergence of the bottom front teeth.

Managing Teething Discomfort

Teething can be relatively painless or come with mild symptoms like tender gums, a slight increase in body temperature, flushed cheeks, and more fussiness than usual.

Debunking Teething Myths

Vomiting is generally not linked to teething. Consult a doctor if you’re concerned.

Addressing Fever Concerns

While teething may cause a slight rise in body temperature, a high fever is unlikely to be solely due to teething. Consult a doctor for any worries regarding fever.

Major shifts in sleep patterns, feeding habits, or overall behavior are more likely to be related to illness rather than teething.

Tips for Managing Teething Symptoms

  • Provide teething toys or cold objects to chew on to help alleviate gum discomfort.
  • Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger or a cool washcloth to provide relief.
  • Try using over-the-counter pain relief products specifically designed for teething babies, following the recommended dosage.
  • Comfort your baby with cuddles, soothing music, or gentle rocking to help distract them from the discomfort.
  • Maintain good oral hygiene by gently cleaning your baby’s teeth and gums, even before they erupt.

Duration and Impact of Teething Discomfort

Teething discomfort typically lasts a day or two and doesn’t usually disrupt sleep significantly. If your baby seems unfazed during the day, their discomfort at night may be less noticeable due to decreased blood pressure while lying down.

Establishing Healthy Sleep and Feeding Routines

Utilize an app to create a stable sleep and feeding schedule. Any abrupt deviations from the routine are likely to stand out, indicating an issue.

Let’s address your baby’s sleep concerns promptly! Our acclaimed Sleep App is designed to resolve your baby’s sleep challenges efficiently.
Check out our Baby Sleep App

Trusting Your Parenting Instincts

Always rely on your parental intuition. It’s better to be cautious and seek medical advice if you’re unsure about your baby’s health.

Teething can present challenges for babies and caregivers. If your baby is experiencing discomfort due to emerging teeth, there are methods to soothe and alleviate their pain. Consulting a pediatric dentist during this phase can offer valuable insights to help manage teething issues.

Teething typically commences around six months, accompanied by common signs such as irritability, increased drooling, and swollen gums. Techniques for easing discomfort include using chilled teething toys, gently massaging the gums, offering cold washcloths, and utilizing safe over-the-counter remedies.

A pediatric dentist can assist in providing relief for teething discomfort and advise on oral hygiene practices from early infancy through adolescence. Regular dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining long-term oral health.

Teething discomfort may precede tooth eruption by 24-72 hours, but various methods are available for alleviating the pain. Employing consistent sleep routines can also benefit babies experiencing teething discomfort.

It’s essential to differentiate teething symptoms from other potential issues and continue to offer comfort and maintain routines. While teething can be challenging, with the right support and knowledge, you can navigate this phase with your baby successfully.

All primary teeth typically emerge by age two and a half, but individual babies may vary in their timing.

Authored by healthcare professional Dawn Kelly in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Teething can be a trying time, and parents should be prepared to offer tender loving care. First-time parents may have many questions about the teething process.

Access to content may be limited by privacy settings. Adjust your cookie preferences to view.

Authored by healthcare professional Ellie Canon in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Identifying Symptoms of Teething

Flushed cheeks, excessive drooling, and gnawing behavior are common indicators of teething in infants.

  • Gnawing or chewing on objects – Babies may begin to chew on toys, fingers, or clothing.
  • Excessive drooling – An increase in drool production is natural but doesn’t always indicate teething.
  • Flushed cheeks – Rosy red cheeks due to the pressure of the tooth pushing through the gum.

Other signs, such as irritability, visible tooth buds, ear rubbing, inflamed red gums, and disrupted sleep patterns, are also prevalent.

The duration of teething can vary, with discomfort lasting a few days per tooth. Seek medical advice if unusual symptoms persist beyond typical teething signs.

Factors Contributing to Teething Symptoms

Factors Contributing to Teething Symptoms

Teething discomfort is influenced by individual pain tolerance, temperament, and gum density. Some level of discomfort during teething is normal.

Gum swelling can occur during the teething process, and feeding from a breast or bottle may be met with resistance.

The eruption of larger molars in toddlers can lead to heightened discomfort.

Authored by healthcare professional Dawn Kelly in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Access to content may be restricted by privacy settings. Adjust your cookie preferences to view.

Authored by healthcare professional Ellie Canon in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Strategies and Remedies for Teething Symptoms

Effective methods to aid teething babies include gum massage, teething rings, and providing comfort.

  • Gentle gum massage
  • Teething rings
  • Safe chewable foods

Pain relief options may include the use of paracetamol, ibuprofen, teething gels, or homeopathic teething granules containing Chamomilla.

Authored by healthcare professional Dawn Kelly in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Access to content may be limited by privacy settings. Adjust your cookie preferences to view.

Authored by healthcare professional Ellie Canon in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Information on Teething Devices and Rings

Applying gentle pressure to the gums can alleviate teething discomfort, and specialized teething rings can be beneficial in this process.

Consider using chilled teething rings or cold fruits and vegetables as alternatives to teething dummies.

Exercise caution regarding potential choking hazards with any items given to your child.

Authored by healthcare professional Dawn Kelly in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Wondering about the safety of offering teething biscuits to your baby?

Chewing can provide relief to sore gums, but be mindful of the sugar content in teething biscuits.

Before introducing teething biscuits, ensure they meet safety standards.

Authored by healthcare professional Dawn Kelly in 2015, this content does not endorse CALPOL® Products.

Considering which teething treatments to avoid for your baby?

Avoid using aspirin or aspirin-containing products on your baby’s gums if they are teething.

Dental Care

Once your baby’s first tooth emerges, begin incorporating dental care into their daily routine. Encourage them to brush their teeth twice daily and demonstrate your own brushing habits to normalize this practice.

Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste for babies and toddlers up to age three, and a pea-sized amount for children aged three to six.

Introduce your baby to dental visits early to familiarize them with regular dental check-ups.

Related Posts