Baby's First Pearly Whites: Teething Symptoms

Somewhere between 3 and 12 months, your baby's teeth will make their grand, grumpy entrance. How babies experience teething can vary widely. Some have teething symptoms—such as excessive drooling and crankiness—weeks before a tooth actually emerges, while others show no signs at all. Fortunately, there are some signs to watch for as this developmental milestone approaches that can help make teething easier for your baby — and for you.

Your little one is not likely to understand why he feels so achy, why he keeps waking up in the night with soreness in his mouth or why his chin is so itchy. So here are top teething symptoms to keep an eye out for:

1. Drooling:

Teething stimulates drooling. It's hard to believe so much fluid can come from the mouth of such tiny babies. If you find their clothes always soggy, tie a bib to prevent them from staying wet and catching a cold and also stay clean and dry. Also keep wiping their chin to avoid rashes. Apply a protective layer of v moisturizer as suggested by the doctor to keep away dryness.

2.Coughing and gag reflex:

A lot of drooling can make babies gag as well as cough a lot. There is nothing to worry there are no signs of flu, cold or other allergies.

3.Biting:

To soothe the pressure built on the gums due to the poking teeth, the baby tends to chew and bite anything they get their hands on right from rattles, teething rings, your fingers and even your nipples while breastfeeding.

4.Crying:

While some babies smoothly transit through the teething phase, others go through a lot of pain due to inflammation on the gums. The result is whining or frequent crying. The first sets of teeth are always the most painful. Talk to your doctor about when to offer pain relievers.

5.Refusal to feed:

Cranky babies yearn to be soothed by something in their mouth... teether, bottle etc. But the suction of nursing makes the gums feel worse. Hence the baby may refrain from feeding which adds to the frustration as neither their pain is being catered to nor their hunger. Babies eating solid foods also refrain from eating. If the same continues for more than a few days, consult the paediatrician.

6.Ear pulling and cheek rubbing:

Teething babies may tug furiously at their ear or rub their cheek or chin. Gums, ears and cheeks share nerve pathways, and so an ache in the gums can travel elsewhere. Babies with ear infections will also yank on their ears so do check with your paediatrician if you suspect your baby may be bothered by more than just teething.