What is teething?
Teething is a natural process, but each baby’s experience is different. Some babies may have no symptoms, while for others it may be unpleased and painful.
Signs of teething:
- Drooling
- Chews on fingers, toys and other objects
- May have rosy cheeks
- Seems to be in a bad mood and cries often
- Does not want to eat (but may want to nurse more)
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- May have red, swollen, sore gums inside the mouth where the teeth are going to break through
- Diaper rash
*Fever, coughing, running nose or diarrhea can all be signs of a serious illness. If your baby shows any of these signs, contact your local health centre.
Tips for teething:
- Rub the gums with a clean finger
- Rub the gums with a cool facecloth
- Allow your child to chew on a cold (not frozen) teething ring or wet facecloth (the facecloth can be put in the fridge to cool it down before use).
Here's what you should not do:
- Do not use gels that numb – they may numb the throat and increase the risk of choking while feeding.
- Do not give your baby teething biscuits. They may cause choking and tooth decay due to high sugar content.
- Do not use teething rings that tie around the baby’s neck. This is a choking risk!
If you have questions about your baby’s teeth, talk to your health care provider or dental professional.