A Teething Baby?
Know The Signs

A teething baby can be very upsetting for everyone around, especially if you don't realize at first what the problem is. When your baby is teething it can be a very painful experience, for him and you!

Every baby has to go through teething, some will just sail through the whole process, others will find it a nightmare. A baby normally starts teething at around the age of six months, but this can be earlier, or later. Lauren didn't start getting her teeth until about eight months, whereas Joe was the average six.

Symptoms of a teething baby

• Put a clean finger into your baby's mouth, feel carefully around the gums. Do they feel hard, or have any hard bumps just under the surface? this could be an indication that you have a teething baby. If your baby tries to pull his head away when you put your finger in his mouth, this could mean his gums are painful.

• Constant dribbling down the chin is another way to tell that your baby is teething. Try to keep wiping his chin so it doesn't get too sore. You may also notice a rash on the chin too, caused from the saliva.This is a good time to keep a bib on your baby, as the saliva runs down onto the clothes and can make baby's neck and chest very uncomfortable.

• Your baby may constantly ramming his hand into his mouth.

• Is your baby trying to chew on everything that he comes into contact with? Another symptom of teething!

• Baby's cheeks may be very red. Or maybe just one cheek. Joe had the one red cheek when he was teething.

• Waking during the night when baby would normally sleep through. Waking and not wanting food or water.

• General grumpiness!

Never associate a fever or high temperature with teething. If your child has a high temperature you should consult your doctor.

My doctor always told me never to associate any illness with teething. My son used to get ear infections every time he was cutting his teeth... my doctor said the two problems were not related.(Although my Mum would always say "Is he teething again, I blame those blinking teeth!)

The doctors advice is a good principle to follow, and you shouldn't assume that a runny tummy, or a sore throat are side effects from a teething baby. Take him to your GP and get him checked over.

Time for a look at some soothing teething remedies.

Return from a teething baby to baby health advice

Or back to new baby and beyond homepage