Is She Teething? Signs To Know When Your Baby Starts Teething.

Teething usually begins around 6 months of age. But it is normal for teething to start at any time between 3 months and 12 months of age. By the time your child is about 3 years old, he or she will have all 20 primary teeth.

The lower front teeth usually come in first. Upper front teeth usually come in 1 to 2 months after the lower front teeth.

Symptoms of teething?

Some babies are fussier than usual when they are teething. This may be because of soreness and swelling in the gums before a tooth comes through. These symptoms usually begin about 3 to 5 days before the tooth shows, and they disappear as soon as the tooth breaks the skin. Many babies don't seem to be affected by teething.

Excessive drooling: Many babies drool during teething, which can cause a rash on the chin, face, or chest. Try to wipe their faces as much as you can and rub vaseline around the chin.

Fussiness, especially at night: the tooth moves through the bone and gum, with more activity at night than during the day, so your baby may be more irritable then. The pressure of an emerging tooth beneath the gums may be relieved by counter pressure, so teething babies often want to chomp on things. The chewing instinct may also be a response to the odd sensation that something's going on in there.

Ear pulling: While it can also be a sign of an ear infection, tugging can be a symptom of teething. The pain from the jaw gets transferred to the ear canal.

A change in eating habits: Babies who are eating solids may want to nurse or bottle-feed more because a spoon irritates their inflamed gums. Others may do the opposite, eating more than usual because the counter pressure feels good. And babies who are still on the bottle or breast may begin feeding eagerly but pull back because the activity of sucking puts uncomfortable pressure on the gums and ear canals.

Ways to help your baby feel comfortable while teething.

• Use a clean finger (or cold teething ring) to gently rub your baby's gum for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this soothing, although they may protest at first.

• Provide safe objects for your baby to chew on, such as teething rings.

• If needed, give your baby an over-the-counter pain reliever that is labeled for his or her specific age. Read and follow all instructions. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious disease.

Many parents use other teething remedies, such as gels you put on a baby's gums. Many experts question if these work and are safe. If you want to try these products, talk to your doctor about which types are safe and how often to use them.