Re: just a quick question

Posted by AA on November 11, 2002 at 04:14:14:

In Reply to: just a quick question posted by sher on November 10, 2002 at 11:44:19:

: My son is 5 months old now and he started teething 2months ago. I was wondering how long others' children teethed before the teeth showed up.
: Thanx sher

Teething goes on for as long as it takes and each baby is different. I don't remember any problems past about 2 years of age - and the earliest any of mine teethed was about 5 months.

Babies start chewing, drooling and grinding their gums long before they actually start to show signs of cutting teeth. The gums will get shiny, stretched and white over a newly emerging tooth. One of mine developed a huge puss pocket over one his teeth because it broke through, then receeded - the doctor didn't want to drain the puss pocket but eventually I insisted and the tooth came through within a few days. I wish I hadn't waited as long as I did because he developed severe decay with that particular tooth.

Clear it with your pediatrican first - but there are some really good pain relieving gels out there that don't have the sting that I have always noticed with some. There are some that are also on ready to use swabs but I don't know how suitable they are for babies, Teething causes more itching of the gums than pain - and we all know itching can make us want to scream or even cry - so sometimes just rubbing their gums with your fingers for a few moments will give some relief when they are frustrated.

My kids cut their teeth on any number of odd items from a leather key ring (not really adviseable) to their older siblings toys - it always seemed however, that each child developed a preferrence for one particular teething tool - (one liked his baby wash cloth best - I gave it to him - under supervision - rather than having him chew the carpet or other unknown cloths).

Sorry - nothing can be done about the drooling ( the washcloth helped - lol).

Don't give up if your baby doesn't like one teether or another - eventually you will find something that works for your little individual. Just as long as it's clean, non-toxic and too big to swallow or choke.

Good Luck

AA

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