There are multiple answers to when does baby start teething? The most important thing to remember is that every baby is different and while the average age is around 6 months, it is also common for a baby to start teething as early as 2 months and later on at 1 year.
Symptoms:
When a baby starts teething it is normal for him/her to be cranky, uncomfortable, and crying. It is a painful process as teeth break through the gums. You will most likely notice a change in behavior.
The baby’s appetite is likely to be affected as consuming any food could lead to pain while attempting to chew the food. You will also notice a preference for certain types of food over another.
Actions:
Know that during this phase the baby is going to need extra attention and care. Lots of loving to keep him calm and comfortable. Try to spend as much time with the baby as possible, keep him distracted and entertained this helps a lot. Play games, read books, play music that you can sing along to.
Talk to your baby as much as you can. This helps to enhance your bonding and also engages the baby and makes him feel loved and cared for.
Comfort:
Do whatever you can to keep the baby comfortable, extra baths seem to help a lot, letting the baby enjoy the bath tub with some toys. Water seems to be a natural tranquilizer and helps the baby to feel at ease and relax. Loose comfortable clothing is recommended.
You can buy and freeze some teething toys and give it to your baby so it will numb the gums and take the pain away. Keep the baby well hydrated by offering to drink water as often as possible.
Pay close attention to wet and soiled diapers and change them right away. After changing a soiled diaper it is a great time for a bath in the tub, this is a great way to relax the baby.
Meals:
Keep them simple. Stick to a variety of purees. Make sure the meals are balanced with the appropriate amount of vitamins and nutrients. Pureed meats, frozen fruits, you can use a meshed feeder for frozen milk to soothe the gums. The easier it is to process, eat, and chew, the more likely for the baby to eat it.
You can have the baby nearby maybe in his feeding chair, so he can watch you prepare meals. Talk to your baby while you do things, explaining what you are doing to keep him engage and entertained. This could be a very fun and active time that distracts the baby from any discomfort he might be experiencing.
Medication:
Talk to your pediatrician about any medication since this is very specific to your baby’s age and condition. Do NOT self prescribe any over the counter drugs, also do not follow other people/parents suggestions blindly, every baby is different so take this very seriously.
I hope you enjoyed this article, if there any other baby topic you would like me to cover please feel free to leave a comment.
