A crying, cranky baby may indicate a teething baby. But that's not the only sign your baby is teething. Because some symptoms may point to other illnesses, consult with your pediatrician if you are unsure. If your baby is truly teething, there is little you can do to eliminate his pain, but fortunately some techniques can relieve some of the pain, including medications if the pain becomes too intense for your baby.
Is It Teething?
Babies start teething by the time they are about six months old, with some starting to teeth as early as two months to as late as 16 months. The bottom front teeth are usually the first to break through, and the top front teeth usually break through second. Signs that your baby is teething include red and swollen gums, increased drooling, fussiness, a disruption in sleeping and eating patterns, and increased sucking and chewing on objects.
Home Remedies
Rub your baby's gums with your finger or a smooth washcloth moistened with cold water to relieve some of the discomfort from sore gums. Cold objects provide additional relief. Chill a liquid-filled teething ring in the refrigerator, and give your baby to chew on. Offer your baby a bottle or sippy cup filled with cold water. Stay away from juices, milk and formula, since continually exposing the teeth and gums to these liquids may contribute to tooth decay.
Other Remedies
Rub an oral pain relief gel on your baby's gums. These over-the-counter products provide relief for about 20 minutes, but do not apply them more than six times a day. If you are breastfeeding, do not apply the gel right before you feed your baby because it can numb her tongue and make it difficult for her to suck.
For an especially fussy baby, administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but never use a pain killer containing aspirin. Do not give a baby under three months old any of these pain killers unless your physician advises it.
Other Tips and Warnings
If your baby has diarrhea, a fever or is inconsolable, treat these as separate symptoms from teething since they are not considered normal symptoms of teething. Sometimes ear infections have some of the same symptoms as teething. Consult with your physician if your baby experiences these and other symptoms not typically associated with teething.
