Teething
Teething happens at different times for each baby, but your baby’s first teeth usually come through between five and nine months after birth. These are often followed by the molars at about 12 – 18 months, which can be more troublesome. Canines will arrive between 12 – 16 months and second molars finally by 24 - 30 months.
Some babies' teeth can come through with no symptoms at all, but for others you may notice:
- Red and swollen gums
- One flushed cheek
- Baby dribbling more than usual
- Gnawing and chewing on things a lot
- Baby is more fretful than usual
You can help your baby through these phases of teething by:
- Using teething rings
- Applying teething gels that contain a mild local anaesthetic, which are available from your pharmacy
- Providing raw vegetables or fruit for your baby to chew on
- Giving your child paracetamol or ibuprofen if they’re in a lot of pain
- Preventing teething rash by controlling any excess saliva from dribbling
