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HomeTopicsCommon Newborn ProblemsTeething
TeethingTeething is usually frustrating for parents and painful for babies. While leading pediatricians continue to debate the symptoms of teething, parents who are dealing with fussy babies can take some measures to soothe their infants as new teeth break through their delicate gums.
Teething Signs and SymptomsSome common signs your baby may exhibit during teething include:
In some cases, teething symptoms may worsen as they persist. For example, excessive drooling may lead to a rash around the face and neck. Wiping and cleaning any drool can prevent rashes. Doctors don't universally agree that fever is a symptom of teething, so if your baby develops a fever while also showing other teething signs, check with your pediatrician to rule out other health problems that may be causing the fever. In general, teething symptoms usually last a few days to a week. Once the tooth breaks through the gums, these signs tend to disappear. However, new teeth will usually continue to appear until your child is three years old, so be prepared for teething symptoms to recur throughout the first few years of your child's life. As your infant becomes a toddler, he will be better able to verbalize what's bothering him and probably won't be as fussy about teething as babies tend to be. Keep in mind, however, that not all babies experience teething symptoms. In fact, some babies will go through teething with no symptoms at all. Typically, expect teething to begin anywhere between three and seven months of age. Late teething is nothing to be worried about, since all babies develop differently.
Soothing Teething BabiesParents who have a fussy teething baby can take some measures to help alleviate their babies' discomfort. Trial and error may be necessary to see which soothing methods will work for a particular child. Common things that parents use to help soothe teething babies are:
Getting Through TeethingTeething is just another part of growing up. Because babies develop at different rates, some will get through teething easier or faster than others will. Regardless of how long your baby suffers through teething, remember that being a loving, comforting parent will help your baby a great deal. If your child seems to have a particularly difficult time during teething, don't be afraid to ask your pediatrician for any recommendations.
Fortunately, each new tooth breaks through the gums in a relatively short period of time. Consequently, even the fussiest baby will eventually get some relief. |
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