Newborn babies do not usually have visible teeth. The baby teeth, or primary teeth, usually begin developing and growing in between three and seven months of age. Young children usually have all 20 primary teeth by age three. Your baby may be fussier than normal when he or she is teething. This is because your baby’s gums may be sore or swollen before a tooth breaks through. Soreness may begin about three to five days before the tooth appears and should disappear as soon as the tooth breaks the gums. Teething can be hard for you and your baby. Here are some tips to relieve teething pain:
Soothe Your Baby’s Gums
Using a cool, wet washcloth or a clean finger, gently massage your baby’s gums. If your baby is already eating solid foods, feed him or her cold applesauce or yogurt.
Give Your Baby Something to Chew On
Offer your baby a firm, rubber teether. Avoid teethers that are liquid filled, as they can leak. Also avoid freezable teethers, as they may be too cold or too hard. Never tie your baby’s teether around their neck, because it is a choking hazard.
Prevent Rash
Babies tend to drool a lot during the teething process, which can cause a rash on their chin, chest, or face. Be sure that you keep a cloth handy to wipe drool from your baby’s chin.
If Your Pediatrician Recommends, Use Medication
You can give your infant baby acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain. If your baby is at least six months old, you can use ibuprofen. Never apply topical pain relievers to the gums, as this can cause dangerous side effects.
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