Your Little Guy and Teething

The baby is teething. Fun times at my house. I don’t think I’ve slept more than 4 hours a night over the last week. The poor little guy…his normally happy-go-lucky personality is a little more edgy. I feel so bad for him (and for everyone else in our house, he has a really high-pitched cry!).

It’s normal for a child to start teething any time between 3 months and 12 months of age. Most children begin around 6 months. Baby G is the youngest teether of our clan. The others were closer to, if not older than 1 year. Did you know that a child would have all 20 primary teeth by the time he is 3 years old? Usually the lower front teeth come first, then the upper front come in about1 to 2 months after the lower front teeth. Baby G’s upper incisor erupted first.

I would be a mess if I were teething, so it’s no wonder why babies are so crabby. The sore, swollen gums prior to the tooth erupts would make anyone miserable. Like adults, I would assume that some babies have a higher pain threshold and some lower. Regardless, most babies are fussier than usual when they are teething. Symptoms usually begin a few days before the tooth shows, and disappear soon after the tooth breaks the skin.

Oftentimes, increased drool, which may or may not be followed by a rash on chin and face accompany teething. Your baby will want to bite on his fingers or toys to relieve the pressure in their gums. They may not want to eat or drink because their mouths hurt. Now your little guy will want to put everything in his mouth, so time to make sure your home is safe from any choking hazards. Regarding the symptoms, they will get better so they’re nothing to worry about. You should call your doctor if your baby’s symptoms are severe or don't improve.

Do you have any helpful tips to make your little guy feel better? I’d love to learn what works for you.

What works for me is to give my son a mild pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve discomfort. I give him a cold teething ring or gently rub my clean finger on his gums to soothe him. He usually protests at first, but appreciates the effort quickly. Sometimes I also use a gel on his gums, but there’s some question from experts as to whether they work or not or if they’re even safe. Ask your doctor if you have questions.

Warning: Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because it has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious disease.

My response to teething is the same as how I feel about so many other frustrating issues that parents face at different times in a child’s life. While it may be difficult, it’s a short period in the grand scope of your child’s life. Be patient, time flies…it’ll be over soon and you’ll wish he was little again.

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