Babies don’t need many things to be happy. But one thing that can help them feel better is teething.
Teething is a natural process in which your baby’s teeth come through the gums. It begins when your baby’s first tooth appears and continues until all 20 primary teeth have erupted. The process usually takes place over several years. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies typically start teething by about 4 to 7 months of age. It can take longer or shorter time depending on the child’s genes and environment.

How do you tell if your baby is teething?
When your baby is teething, you will notice a few different signs. The first sign to look for is swollen gums. This is often accompanied by drooling and irritation. If your child develops a fever or shows any other signs of illness, however, it’s important to contact their doctor right away, as this could be due to an unrelated problem such as an ear infection or flu instead of teething pain.
Teeth usually appear in pairs and start at the bottom of your child’s mouth (lower front teeth) before moving up towards the top teeth over time; this means that if one tooth appears earlier than another one, it does not mean that all others will follow suit immediately after.
What causes teething pain?
When your baby’s first teeth begin to emerge, they can cause soreness in the gums and mouth. This pain is caused by the pressure of an emerging tooth against the gums.
Teething is a natural process that occurs as your child’s first teeth begin to push through their gums. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that babies typically start teething by about 4 to 7 months of age, but every baby develops at their own pace.
As soon as you notice some visible signs of teething (such as swollen cheeks), it’s time to take action! Here are some tips for helping relieve your teething baby:

Use teething rings.
Teething rings are a great way to help your baby when they are teething. Choose a firm rubber teether that is not liquid-filled and is easy for your baby to hold and chew on, and stay with your baby while they use it. Teething rings come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, so you can find one that your child will love!
Offer a firm rubber teether, not a frozen one.
If your baby is teething and having a hard time, you can gently rub or massage their gums with a clean finger, or give them a firm (not liquid-filled) rubber teething ring to chew on. The FDA advises making sure the teething ring is not frozen, because an object that is too hard can hurt your baby’s gums. Stay with your baby while they chew so they don’t accidentally choke on the teething ring. Do not use teething jewelry, such as amber teething necklaces, or any teething creams, gels or tablets, including those that contain benzocaine or lidocaine.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children.

Wash bottles and pacifiers often.
When it comes to teething babies, there are a few things you can do to make sure their bottles and pacifiers stay clean.
First, clean bottles, nipples and other feeding parts after every feeding, either by hand or in a dishwasher if the items are dishwasher-safe. Second, sanitize feeding items at least once a day if your baby is younger than 2 months, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system. You can sanitize by boiling the parts in water for 5 minutes, by using a microwave or plug-in steam system, or by running a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying or sanitizing cycle. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for each feeding item to see which method to use.
Teething toys
Teething toys are an excellent way to help your baby soothe their gums. The best teethers are firm, solid (not liquid-filled) and made of a material such as firm rubber.
You want to make sure that you choose an age-appropriate toy for your child based on their developmental stage. For example, younger babies may need something that is textured and easy for them to hold onto, while older kids might like something more interactive like flashing lights or music (just be sure those aren’t too loud!). If a toy uses button or coin batteries, make sure the battery compartment is secured with a screw or another child-resistant closure, because a swallowed battery can cause serious internal burns.

You may be wondering, “Why is my baby teething?”
It’s a normal process for babies to start teething at about six months of age, but it can also happen earlier or later than this. Teeth are important for a child’s growth and development, and it’s good that you are here to help your child with this process. You’ll want to know what signs of teething you should look out for, what causes the pain, and how best to relieve it when it happens!
We hope this article has given you some great tips on how to help your teething baby. Learn how to create a sleeping routine for your child! Read here. https://ifitsallaboutbaby.com//how-to-create-a-sleep-routine-for-your-young-child
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: When Does Teething Start?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Making Families Safer from Button Cell or Coin Battery Dangers