There's no way to predict exactly when teething will start, but there are a number of signs that may signal it's coming.
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Transcript:
Expecting a visit from the teething fairy sometime soon? Most babies get their first tooth at about six months, though there's, wait for it, a wide range of normal teething times, with some babies celebrating their first birthdays with a still-gummy grin.
There's no way to predict exactly when the teething fairy will fly in for a first visit, but there are a number of signs that may signal she's on her way. Does drool rule at your house? Teething stimulates drooling, with the faucet flowing early and often, sometimes even a month or two before that first tooth is cut. Some babies drool just a little, while others drool buckets, sometimes resulting in coughing and gagging. The constant drip of drool on those sweet cheeks, chin, mouth, and neck can lead to chapping, chafing, roughness, redness, and rashes. Keeping the area as dry as possible and applying a moisture barrier cream can help protect baby's skin.
Another teething sign, crankiness. Those new pearly whites poking through tender gums may be teeny tiny, but the pain and inflammation they cause can be bears. Teething irritability and crying can last a few hours or continue on and off for days or weeks. Teething babies may also be fussy feeders, and frustrated ones, since the suction of suckling makes gums feel even more sore.
Since the teething fairy tends to work the night shift. with inflammation and pain more bothersome after hours, teething may disrupt sleep. Settle your little one with soothing, but try to avoid returning to nighttime feedings if he has already kicked them or to other sleep associations he has moved on from, like rocking. These habits can continue long after teething pain has left the building.
Counter pressure provides sweet relief for teething pain, which is why your little teether may be chomping down hard on anything she can get those gums on, from her fists and fingers, to teething rings to your fingers, hands, arms, shoulder. Nip full-on biting, but do offer a soothing massage with your clean finger or knuckle.
Beyond biting, your little teether may also rub his cheek or pull on his ear. That's because gums, ears, and cheeks share nerve pathways, and so an ache in the gums can travel elsewhere. Of course, since ear infections can also trigger ear yanking and cheek rubbing, check with the pediatrician to rule out a cause beyond teething.
Other signs you should check in with the doctor about, which may or may not be linked to teething, include looser poops because of all that swallowed drool and a very slightly elevated temperature due to inflammation.
What can you do to help ease the ache that comes with teething? Give baby plenty to chew on. Offer a variety of teethers to figure out which type baby likes best, soft and pliable, harder, nubby, a combo, classic rings or rattles, teethers shaped like fingers on a hand, a giraffe or a cow, or fashioned like a mitt or toothbrush. Safe teethers come in lots of different materials, including silicone, natural rubber, cloth, and wood. Squeaky may score extra points for diversion.
Chilling your baby's gums numbs them, while easing inflammation and swelling. So stash teethers in the fridge or let her suck on a washcloth soaked in water or chamomile tea and chilled. Or use a feeder filled with soft-frozen breast milk or formula, or once baby has started solids, banana or applesauce. Too cold is not cool - frozen teethers or ice can injure sensitive gums.
For teething pain that just won't quit, ask the pediatrician about occasionally breaking out the baby acetaminophen. Don't use topical gels and tablets touted for teething without the doctor's approval. And pass on amber necklaces and bracelets, which are considered unsafe. Here's to happier teething!