Teething can be a very uncomfortable time for your baby. It may begin as early as 3 months, causing the gums around the emerging teeth to be swollen and tender.
To ease baby’s teething pain, give him or her firm objects to chew on. Objects like teething rings or hard, unsweetened teething crackers may be good choices. Do not give frozen teething toys – extreme cold can injury your baby’s mouth and cause even more discomfort.
Medication
Pain relievers that are intended to be rubbed on a baby’s gum are not a good choice. A teething baby may drool so much that the medication is quickly washed away! These medications may also numb the back of the throat and interfere with your baby’s ability to swallow. If your baby is uncomfortable, talk to your pediatrician about what to do. Your pediatrician may suggest that you give a small dose of acetaminophen (like Tylenol), or ibuprofen (like Advil, Motrin).
When your baby’s teeth are coming through, she or he may also have a very slightly increased temperature. If the temperature reaches 100.4° F or 38° C, it’s probably not because of teething. If your baby has symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea while teething, talk to your pediatrician to find out whether there may be a medical condition requiring treatment.
Teething can wake a baby as well. Try and keep the usual bedtime routine – changing the routine, even for a few nights, may only lead to sleep troubles.