The first tooth in your baby’s young life is a big event, but it can be uncomfortable. The more you know about teething, the better you can help your baby get through it.
Most babies begin to teethe between six to ten months, but teething can occur in a child as early as three months and as late as a year old. Parents can soothe their baby by letting them chew on a cold pacifier or a cold washcloth. You can also use your clean fingers and rub on baby’s gums.
Karen Hughes is the maternal educator at Community Medical Centers. She said, “Some babies don’t even show much of a problem with teething, but others do, and they’ll start drooling a lot. Could be a little bit more fussy, particularly if the gum is kind of tender and pink. Other things are, they’re gnawing on their hands, on their mouth, they want everything in their mouth, and they want to gnaw… Of course you can always give the baby Tylenol to help if they’re having mild discomfort, but always check with your pediatrician.”
Teething can be painful, but it doesn’t usually make babies sick. If your baby is teething and has a fever of more than 100.4, and if they’re experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, contact a pediatrician right away.
