Has your baby been extra irritable? Waking more often? Chewing on everything? If it seems too soon for teething, think again. Medical experts and fellow moms share their advice and experience on how to recognize the signs of teething, so you can be prepared.
When they start chewing on everything, be prepared!
"As a mom of multiple children, I can tell my baby is teething if his gums look swollen and he is more fussy or needy than usual. Also, my babies drool A LOT when they are teething! If my baby is trying to chew on anything he can get his hands on — especially his hands — I can tell teeth are probably coming soon. I like to keep Baby Orajel Non-Medicated Cooling Gel on hand to help soothe teething gums."
— Nicolette McKinlay, writer and mom of four
Irritability and sleeplessness are common signs of teething
"A teething baby will most likely be irritable during the day and sleepless at night. Babies are born with all 20 primary teeth below the gum line. These teeth will start to erupt around the age of 6 months. Some of the most common symptoms associated with teething, aside from irritability and difficulty sleeping, include fussiness, increased drooling and decreased appetite."
— Jessica (J.J.) Smith, CPNP-AC, CPN, board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner currently practicing in acute care medicine at Dayton Children's Hospital in Dayton, Ohio
'So much drool!'
"Drool! So much drool! And that can happen in the weeks and month before the first tooth pops. It's quite the process emerging little teeth."
— Gretchen Bossio, blogger and mom of four
Be mindful of choking hazards
"The first sign you will see is constantly putting things in their mouth. It is usually fingers, but can be objects, so keep a watch on this."
— Dr. Melissa Weintraub, dentist, blogger, and mom of three
Not every baby is the same
"While my oldest two kids showed no real signs of teething, my youngest was particularly irritable, had mild fevers, and drooled more than usual during the time his teeth were coming in."
— Johanna Torres, Mom.com team and mom of three
Their diaper may hold clues
"Uncharacteristic irritability plus diaper rash were two signs I always linked to having a teething baby."
— Kristina Nagle, Mom.com team and mom of three
Teething may start months before teeth
"When babies start teething, they produce more saliva, much of which they don’t swallow. They drool, sometimes a lot. It’s common to experience months (four or more) of drool before you see signs of teeth."
— Wendy C., mom of three
Watch for multiple symptoms
"There are usually several symptoms that can occur when your baby starts teething, such as drooling, constantly putting their hands or toys in their mouth, rash around the mouth, disrupted sleep, and sometimes a fever."
— Christy Quinn, Mom.com team and mom of one
*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
