Did you know? A newborn baby has around 20 teeth lingering under their gumline. And it doesn’t take long for that first tooth to begin making its appearance, usually between 6 months and one year of age. When your infant begins teething, it can be a very difficult time, however, we’ve rounded up the best tips to soothe your child during this time.
Signs of teething
- Sore or tender gums
- Excessive drooling
- Low-grade fever
- Irritability
- Chewing
- Rash around the mouth
Please remember, while a low-grade fever is normal during teething, if your child experiences a fever over 100.4 degrees and diarrhea, you should speak with your pediatrician.
If you suspect your child is teething, inspect their gumlines for any bumps, a common sign a tooth is making its grand entrance. Typically, the first tooth to appear is an incisor on the bottom. However, teething can be a slow process and some symptoms can set in months before the first tooth appears.
Ways to Soothe
There are several ways to soothe a baby that’s teething. Here are some ways we recommend:
- Massage the gums to help ease the pain
- Get a cold washcloth for your baby to chew
- Refrigerate a pacifier or teething toy
- Freeze milk popsicles for them to enjoy
- Chill some fruit
As a last resort, you can speak with your pediatrician about using over-the-counter pain medication. However, shy away from teething gels that use lidocaine or benzocaine as they can numb a baby’s mouth and cause issues with swallowing.
What hacks and tricks have you used to soothe a teething baby?