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Every parent seems to suffer right along side their baby when it comes to teething. What exactly is teething? For those of you who have not heard of “teething” before, and I am sure this is quite a small margin, I will give you the “dictionary” definition of the term:

- Teething: (noun) 1: the first growth of teeth generally between six and nine months of age. 2: the phenomena accompanying growth of teeth through the gums.


Now that we are clear on the definition, let us now discuss the symptoms. We cannot find a suitable remedy for an ailment without assessing the appropriate symptoms, now can we? Symptoms may include, but are not limited to the following:


- excessive drooling

- swollen gums

- more cranky than usual

- refusal to eat/loss of appetite

- slight fever (more often associated with a virus or infection than teething)

- runny nose (more often associated with a virus or infection than teething)

- bright red cheeks

- gums seem inflamed

- if your child has been sleeping through the night, they may begin waking several times per night due to the discomfort

- baby may bite down occasionally while nursing

Still not sure if you are seeing symptoms of teething? Ask yourself these questions:

- Can you see a new tooth coming through the gums?

- Can you see a slight bulge in the gums where a tooth is trying to “push” through?

- Can you feel something hard under the gums when you feel with the tip of a clean finger?

(A “yes” answer to any of these questions is likely to mean your baby is teething.)


Okay, we have discussed the possible symptoms and asked ourselves some key questions. A determination has now been reached, so let us now discuss some remedies:

- rub baby’s gums with a clean finger or cool wash cloth

- give baby something cool and soft to chew like a teething ring from the refrigerator, for example

- give baby a bottle of cool water

- if baby is very cranky or has a fever, acetaminophen (such as Children’s Tylenol, for example) will help

- give baby a teething biscuit

- give baby frozen ice chips with parental supervision

- try a frozen wash cloth

- give baby a frozen banana with parental supervision

- a cold apple wedge wrapped in an infant sized wash cloth will give baby an incentive to bite down and work the teeth through when they taste the sweetness of the fruit

- over the counter teething gels containing benzocaine (use a last resort)

- NEVER rub brandy or any other alcohol on baby’s gums because it is a very dangerous poison to infants


Remember, if your child sleeps for five hours or more in one stretch they are not likely in a lot of pain due to teething. A good habit to get in to as soon as baby gets home from the hospital is to clean bacteria off their gums after each feeding. This will help them adjust to gum massages when teething begins and will prevent early tooth decay in tooth buds developing below the gum surface.