Your baby’s first tooth appearing is an exciting milestone. While a first tooth is something to celebrate, the teething process is not! It can leave your baby feeling a little grumpier than usual and quite unsettled. In this guide, we will discuss what to expect when your baby is teething, the signs of teething, and remedies to help your teething baby.
The Signs of Teething
Most babies start teething between six and ten months old, although some babies can start earlier or later than this. For most babies, the bottom two front teeth are the first ones to appear. Usually, you can tell that your baby is teething based on specific signs and symptoms. There are several baby teething signs to look out for which indicate that your little one’s first tooth will be putting in an appearance sometime soon:
- Chewing on everything that they can get hold of
- Drooling more than usual
- Unsettled at night
- Pulling at their ears
- Irritable and unsettled
- Tender gums
It is important to note that these symptoms could also be signs of illness, so get your baby checked over by a doctor if you are concerned that they may be ill rather than teething.
Remedies to Soothe Your Teething Baby
Before those first teeth appear, your baby will show some of the signs mentioned above and so you may find that they are unsettled, waking more frequently during the night, and a little grumpier during the day. Several remedies can be used to ease teething discomfort for your baby, here are some that you may like to try:
Teething Toys
Teething toys are a popular choice and can bring babies comfort while their teeth are breaking through their gums. It is vital to make sure that the teething toys you give your baby are safe for them to chew, and are made from safe materials. Putting the teething toy in the fridge before giving it to your baby can make it extra soothing for their gums.
Teething toys like the Matchstick Monkey can provide ultimate comfort for your baby when teething as they can help soothe your little one's pain at the source with fun, flexible teethers that get teething gel to the right places!
Reduce Irritation and Soreness
Teething babies drool more than usual. All this extra drool can lead to soreness and irritation around your baby’s mouth and chin. To prevent irritation from developing, try to wipe away the drool when you can.
Massage Baby’s Gums
Massaging your baby’s gums can offer them the same soothing relief that they get from their chew toys. Your hands must be clean when using your finger to massage your baby’s mouth. Be prepared as your baby may bite down on your finger when you are massaging their gums!
Distraction
Distraction is a powerful tool when calming a teething baby. Reading a story, playing with toys, or going out for a walk could be all that is needed to help your baby forget about their teething troubles.
Lots of Cuddles
When your baby is feeling unsettled, they may become fussier than usual and unsettled. Sometimes, all that is needed are some extra cuddles for comfort.
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