Parents have a big role in raising a baby. However, it can be challenging because they cannot talk and tell us if there is something wrong. Because of this, it usually becomes something of a guessing game whether they are crying because of pain. Teething, on the other hand, can cause your baby distress and it can be one of the tough stages when growing up. Teething happens between the age of 6-24 months. We have to assure them that we are there for them, especially when they feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Now, let us tackle the signs to look for when our baby is teething.
Puffy gums and excessive drooling
To identify if your child might be teething, the baby might put things in his or her mouth and they usually start gnawing on whatever objects they may find. Another sign is if their gums are swollen or even a bruise-like color. Another thing you should be on the lookout for is excessive drooling. As teeth come in, you will notice that the baby will salivate more often. Make sure you always have a clean cloth at hand to wipe away any excess drool to avoid skin irritation.
Fussiness at night
Babies tend to be very cranky due to the discomfort of teething. This happens especially at night because the tooth or teeth usually pass through the bones and gums at this time, thus making them feel fussy and uneasy during the late hours.
When this happens, just distract your baby. Perhaps give him or her a teething toy to gnaw on or a warm bath to relax the baby.
Change in eating habits
A sudden change in eating habits can also be one of the typical symptoms of teething. If the baby is eating solids, they usually prefer breastfeeding or bottle feeding because using spoons hurts their inflamed gums.
In spite of this, there are other babies who actually like eating solids as it eases the tension on their gums. Whichever one they choose, make sure that they are well guided and well taken care of.
As their guardians, we must be very patient and understanding when our child begins teething. That is why we should always be patient with our baby so we can determine the child's needs.
Teething is also one of the challenging stages for a baby because it is painful. We just need to watch out for the signs of teething so we can give the correct home remedies. Remember, if you suspect that your baby is having any mouth pain when he or she is not teething, consult your physician right away, as they will be able to diagnose what is causing your baby pain.