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Baby Teething

Teething starts as early as three months and completes by the age of 12 year

When does teething start?

The teething may start as early as three months and as late as 12 months. On average, teething starts during the seventh month. Most of the children have a full set of primary teeth by the age of 3 years. These are called 'milk teeth'. Around the age of 6 years, the milk teeth start to fall out, and get replaced by adult teeth completing the process by the age of 12 years.

What are common symptoms of teething?

Gums: The teeth rise up to the surface of gums and cut through. This is painful and discomforting specially for molars that are about twice as wide. The gums may get swollen, look inflamed and cause irritability. It may cause the infant to bite or nibble. The pain may travel from gums towards jaw and back up to ear.

Excessive Saliva: Teething simulates excessive saliva formation, resulting in drooling, coughing, and chin rash. Swallowing of excessive saliva also results in Diarrhea.

Other symptoms: Low grade fever, not sleeping well, cold like symptoms such as runny nose.

Breast feeding and teething

Some infants may find comforting, while others may go on a 'nursing strike' and stop nursing. In case of nursing strike, pump the milk and feed with bottle or a cup.

Some infants may teeth on nipples and bite. The mother should pull away for 15 minutes and tell the infant 'No!'. Finally, the infant will stop biting.

Teething Care

1. Wipe drooling too prevent chin rash

2. Teething ring (refrigerated) to chew

3. Teething Biscuits

Teething biscuits should not be crumbly. Check the ingredients, they must not have eggs, wheat, and honey for infants under 10 months.

Egg-free Wheat-free teething sticks

You can make Thick Bajra or Ragi Roti. Cut into ½" wide about 3 to 4" long strips.

Make malpua (pancake) with Kuttu and let the infant nibble on it. Do not put any sugar syrup.

4. Cold or chilled foods: fruit purees, yogurt, applesauce

5. Bottle of cool water

6. Rub gums with clean finger or cool wash cloth.

7. Rub gums with ice chips. This may numb the pain.

8. Never rub clove extract on baby's gum. It will numb the gums but it is too strong

9. Never rub alcohol on baby's gums

10. Pediatrician may recommend Baby Tylenol or Baby Orajel

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