For all of you parents out there (particularly first-time parents), we understand how difficult it is to determine what is going on with your new baby. Looking things up on WebMD easily raises your anxiety level, and many times you feel like you are blindly wading through a sleep deprived existence hoping to understand and bring comfort to your infant that keeps rock star hours.
While we can’t definitively tell you why your child suddenly stopped taking a bottle or now only sleeps when the sun is out, we can help you decode the signs of teething. This painful process can begin as early as four months and can bring the strongest parents to their knees. It can disrupt sleep schedules and eating routines—and that’s just for the parents!
Before you call your prediction for fear that your child has been taken over by a monster that screams at all hours of the day, we have compiled and easy, go-to list that outlines the symptoms of teething and practical suggestions on how to ease the pain for everyone in the family.
Why won’t my child stop crying?
By six months you may have thought that you got over the newborn hump of cry all night and sleep all day. If you are really lucky you may have had a few blissful weeks of minimum middle of the night wakings.
However, if your child is between four and six months and suddenly starts waking in the middle of the night, it could be a result of teething. The middle of the night is when the most fussiness occurs since there are no other distractions and your baby is fully aware of the discomfort they are experiencing. An added stressor for new parents is teething is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms that can mimic a viral illness. Low-grade fevers, rashes and diarrhea are commonly coupled with new teeth. These symptoms are normally caused by excess drool that results in irritation or upset stomachs.
Why aren’t they eating?
With young babies crying is generally the way they demonstrate hunger. However, if they are in pain, babies typically have a decreased appetite and shy away from solid foods. Chewing or vigorous sucking can trigger sore spots in their mouth and cause them to avoid food or bottles.
Since dehydration can happen quickly in young children, it is important to monitor the number of wet diapers your child is producing. To sooth the gums, try freezing milk into a popsicle and allowing them to run it along sore spots in their mouth. This will both provide relief and nutrition.
What does pulling at their face mean?
Babies are actually great at self-soothing, so you may see your child rubbing their cheeks or pulling on their ears while they are teething. This, in addition to chewing on everything in sight, brings comfort. Try gently massaging your child’s gum lines or letting them gnaw on your finger if no teeth have come through yet. Counter pressure helps alleviate the pain, so make sure there are baby-safe toys easily accessible for chewing.
Can I use teething gels?
As dentists we commonly get asked about how well teething gels work. While we wish there was a magic solution to bring relief to you baby, teething gels are no longer recommended by the FDA. While there was no official recall, many stores have stopped stocking these products due to reports of adverse events. If this is something you are interested in, we recommend you give us or your pediatrician a call to discuss.
Teething marks a huge milestone in both the life of the child and the parent. Now that your little one is well on their way to getting their first full set of teeth, you should start thinking about their first visit to the dentist. We love seeing young children and want to set them up on the pathway to great oral hygiene. If you child is approaching their first birthday, give us a call to schedule an appointment!
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