SAFE TIPS FOR TEETHING

What is teething?

Teething is a normal part of your baby's development which happens when new teeth start to push through your baby's gums. You may see swollen gums or little points of white pushing through the gum.

Signs that your baby might be teething

Drools a lot

Wants to chew on things

Have mild gum pain 

Elevated temperature, but not a fever (temperature less than 100.4 rectal is not a fever)

 

 

What can you do to comfort your child while teething?

• Massage your baby's gums.
  If you have long nails, cut your nails and smooth them with an emery board. Wash your hands. Find your baby's swollen gums and rub them with your finger for a few minutes. Putting pressure on the sore gum may reduce the discomfort.
• Try teething rings.
  Babies like to chew on smooth, hard things when teething. A teething ring is something safe for babies to chew. Try chilling the teething ring in the refrigerator.
  Do NOT give your baby ice, Popsicle type treats, or other frozen things because the cold can hurt the gums and cause frostbite. Do NOT give hard foods like raw carrots to a baby because of  the danger of choking.
• Do not give your baby salty foods or acid foods like lemons or oranges. These can bother your baby's gums. If your baby cries when she sucks on a bottle or nipple, change to a sippy cup.
• Give pain medicine ONLY if your baby needs it.
  Pain medicines usually are NOT needed for teething. If the pain increases and your baby doesn’t respond to gum massage, give acetaminophen (Tylenol) for 1 day/24 hours only. You don't need to buy special teething gels. The FDA does NOT advise the use of teething gels or teething tablets in children under 2 years old.

Call your Pediatrician during normal office hours if:

• Your baby gets a fever.
• Your baby cries a lot for no reason.
• You have other questions or concerns.