Your baby will most likely get his first tooth between 4 and 7 months of age, and will continue to go through periods where he is teething throughout his first couple of years. Teething causes many uncomfortable symptoms, but gas is not one of them. According to Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., gas, which is accompanied by discomfort and crying, is common in infants. It is possible that your baby will experience gas pains and teething symptoms at the same time, and it might be difficult to tell which is causing him the most pain.
Teething Symptoms
Typical symptoms of teething include drooling, irritability, sleep problems and gum swelling and sensitivity. According to BabyCenter, doctors disagree about whether or not symptoms like diarrhea and fever occur as a result of teething, although it is possible that a low fever can occur as a result of gum inflammation. Gas, however, is not directly caused by teething.
Teething Relief
You can help relieve the common symptoms of teething in your baby by offering her a teething ring or cold cloth to chew on. Eating applesauce or yogurt can also sooth her inflamed gums. Try rubbing a clean finger on her gums to massage the area.
Gas Relief
If your baby is experiencing gas, try carrying him around or encouraging him to crawl if he is able. The movement might help him to expel gas bubbles. Avoid giving him foods that you notice make his gas worse, like dairy products or common allergens like nuts. If you are breastfeeding, avoiding these types of foods in your diet could help as well. You can also burp your baby frequently during feedings to help reduce gas buildup.
Considerations
If nothing you try at home seems to help your baby's gas or teething symptoms, or if you are unable to pinpoint the cause of his gas, talk to his doctor. His doctor may recommend other home remedies or an over-the-counter pain reliever.
