Eventually, at some point through your baby’s first year, they will begin to have teething symptoms. Although, it’s important to note that some babies may not actually get their first tooth until closer to 14 months depending on their genetics and how premature they were at birth.
Some babies may go through lots of unpleasant teething symptoms, while others may barely notice the changes. But the best thing that you can do as a parent or caregiver, is to be prepared and know your options!
This article is written by Karissa Tunis
and sponsored by People Toy Company
For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year collection
When do babies start teething?
Typically babies will begin teething around 6 months of age, although their teething symptoms can start as early as 3 months prior. Teeth usually arrive in sets of two, and the bottom teeth typically come in first. A general timeline is:
- 6 months – lower central incisors appear
- 8 months – upper central incisors appear
- 10 months – lower and upper lateral incisors appear
- 14 months – first molars appear
- 18 months – canines appear
- 24 moths – second molars appear
Again, every baby is different and does develop in different orders at different rates. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact your pediatrician.
Find Answers for all of Your Common Newborn Concerns
Teething Symptoms and Necessities
As stated above, not all babies will show the same signs. But what you can expect for a typical baby are swollen gums, excessive drooling, and the need to gnaw. I remember when my first began to drool, I sent my husband to buy every pack of bibs that our local baby store had to offer. We could have cared less how pretty or decorative they were, and the bigger the better! I kept a basket in my family room that was full of bibs, and went through sometimes as many as 15 per day for weeks until the tooth finally broke through the skin.
Learn about Baby’s 1st Milestones
Teething Toys
But even more important than bibs are toys! Thankfully there are products out there that are designed specifically for a teething baby. The shape, texture, and sometimes even vibration, can help ease their sore little gums. There are also options that can be put in your refrigerator, which give a cooling effect when being chewed on. Each baby is different, so you may want to stock up on a bunch of different options to see which your baby prefers. And their preferences may change daily (even hourly) depending on how they are feeling!
Check out this Guide to Buying Baby Toys for each developmental phase
People Toy Company
The People Toy Company has created a lot of toys specifically for this phase and with the purpose of helping to ease sore gums. Their newest line of toys is also perfect for this stage! Their Mochi series is a new line that was designed with keeping in mind that everything lands in a baby’s mouth. So what did they do that is so different with this line? They made the toys with Japanese RICE! 100% Green and 100% Fun, these toys are completely safe for your little one to chew on!
People Toy Company conveniently sells their products through their website, local baby boutiques, toy stores and through Amazon. We have included the Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Below is the Mochi Teething Ring, Mochi Teething Plate, Mochi Maraca, Mochi Blocks Set, and the Mochi Trumpet. Be sure to also check out their other products which have even won Toy Of The Year Awards! Also, find out what developmental milestones should be considered when purchasing your baby new toys and gear.
Teething Pain and Remedies
A few other things to be aware of is that teething discomfort can cause ear pain. Many babies that experience ear pain will actually rub or pull at their ears. It is important to get this checked out to be sure that there are no ear infections, but hopefully they will soon find relief once their pearly whites break-through.
Unfortunately, whenever your little one is not feeling well it can lead to fussiness, especially at night. It’s important to remember to be patient! They can’t speak, and crying is the only way to alert you when they are not feeling well. So you may not want to let them cry it out. Try a little extra soothing and comfort. Check with your pediatrician about giving your little one some Ibuprofen, Motrin, Tylenol, or even some Baby Orajel to help ease the pain.
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Do babies lose their appetite while teething?
Lastly, you may even notice a change in their eating habits. Your baby may not be as interested in baby food, or even their milk. Sucking can sometimes make the pressure worse, so you may even want to try a few new bottle nipples, pacifiers, or changes in breastfeeding positions. You may need to try several different options before finding one that works best. And don’t ever be afraid to call your pediatrician! They have a lot of knowledge and experience with helping families get through this phase.
Try this simple, healthy Baby Food Recipe
Best of luck!
For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year collection
Co-Owner: Karissa Tunis
Karissa Tunis is the co-owner of both the parenting website Adore Them and the family event company Milestone Family Expos. Through these ventures she is able to share inspiring, heartfelt insight with large audiences within local communities and across the country! Her knack for all-things-organization allows her to balance content creation, brand partnerships, and event planning without losing sight of what she wants for her own family. Despite her busy schedule, Karissa also makes it a priority to spend quality time with her husband and five children. You will often find her volunteering at her children’s schools, cheering them on from the soccer sidelines, or enjoying the great sites of Charleston, SC with her family.
Contact: Karissa@AdoreThem.com
