Tips on Comforting Teething Babies

It’s a wonderful moment when you see your baby’s first tiny white tooth but it isn’t always a smooth journey as new teeth can also cause a lot of discomfort as they push their way through sore, red gums. This is called teething. Teething can sometimes be quite a stressful process as there are no set rules on when the right time to start teething is and all babies experience it in different ways. This is why it’s important to learn how to spot the signs of teething and know what you can do to ease their pain.

WHEN WILL MY CHILD’S TEETH APPEAR?

Your baby’s first teeth start to develop while they are still in the womb however they usually appear after around 6 months. For some babies this may happen a lot sooner while for others it may happen a lot later, this isn’t a cause for concern.

The first teeth to start pushing through the gums will be the bottom front teeth known as incisors closely followed by the top front teeth. The back teeth usually appear last.

Children usually have all their teeth by the time they’re two and a half, though there are exceptions to the rule.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF TEETHING PAIN?

Before the first tooth appears, your baby might show these early signs of teething:

• Flushed cheeks
• Fever
• Sensitive red gums
• Excessive dribbling
• Desire to chew on whatever they can find
• Crying
• Refusing to eat
• Waking up at night distressed

Sometimes you might be able to see your baby’s tooth coming through, or you may feel a bump on their gum line.

HOW CAN I HELP SOOTHE MY BABY’S TEETHING PAIN

Extra cuddles and hugs always help a teething baby. You’ll also find they often love to chew, so give them something firm to bite on such as a teething ring. A helpful tip is to chill the teething ring in the fridge so your baby will find it extra soothing.

If your baby is distressed and can’t be soothed then you may want to consider giving them some pain relief medicine. Nurofen for Children is sugar and colour free and offers pain relief for up to 8 hours for babies from 3 months and weighing over 5kg.