Teething 101
One of the toughest parts of being a parent is seeing your child in pain, especially if there is little you can do to help alleviate the source of the pain! That is what makes teething so tough for babies and parents alike. The good news is, you will both survive this stage even though at times it feels like it goes on FOREVER! The other good news is that this a new milestone to celebrate and soon, once those little adorable baby teeth pop out, your baby will look even cuter (if that’s even possible!)
When does the teething process start?
This process, as any other milestone your baby has experienced, is different for every one. Some babies are born with teeth (yes, really!) while others start showing their new pearly whites at 12 months. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon!
The chart below gives you a rough idea of when to expect to start seeing some teeth.
If your child's teeth are slow to appear but her bone growth, skin, and hair are normal, there's likely nothing wrong. But if there's still no tooth in sight when your baby reaches 18 months old, mention it to her doctor – she may refer you to a pediatric dentist.
Teething Signs and Symptoms
A few lucky babies just wake up one morning with a new tooth popping from their little gums while others can get very miserable for weeks or even months before this happens. So, if you happen to have a baby who will actually show signs of teething, look for the following clues:
- Extreme Drooling.
- Red, swollen bulging gums.
- A tooth visible below the gum.
- Irritability and Fussiness.
- Trouble sleeping and staying asleep
- Trying to bite, chew, and suck on everything.
- Rubbing theirface.
- Decreased Appetite
- Ear rubbing
Which are NOT signs of teething?
While teething can be a miserable experience for babies and parents alike, diarrhea, a fever, or a runny nose, are not part of the experience, especially if it lasts for more than 24 hours. One of many possible explanations for these symptoms is that because teething babies frequently put things in their mouth to soothe their gums, they get sick from coming into contact with viruses and other germs. So give a call to your doctor if he/her has a rectal temperature of 101 degrees F or higher (100.4 F for babies younger than 3 months) and symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Always consult your physician if you have any questions or in doubt.