Signs and symptoms of teething (photos)

Teething can be a painful process, and this can keep your baby awake at night. So if your baby is suddenly finding it hard to settle down and rest, teething could be the cause. Try to stick to your baby's bedtime routine and give her comfort if she's unsettled.

All babies drool a little, but a teething baby will often end up with a very wet chin! Extra drool can make your baby's chin sore, so dab it dry with a soft tissue or cloth as often as you can. Put a smear of petroleum jelly on your baby's dry chin for extra protection.

Rosy-red cheeks are a common sign of teething. Your baby's cheeks go red because the tooth that's coming through the gum can cause irritation. You may notice that your baby's cheeks also feel warm.

Chewing helps to relieve the pain and pressure of teething, so you may notice your baby trying to soothe herself by chewing on her fingers. Try to keep your baby's hands clean so that she doesn't swallow any germs.

Babies love to put things in their mouths, but if your baby has started to nibble on anything she can get her hands on, she may be teething. Try giving her a teething ring, or, if she has started solids, a cold piece of cucumber to gnaw on. This will help to soothe her gums. Avoid using anything that could be broken into hard pieces, because she could choke on them.

Swollen, red gums are a sure sign of teething. Gently rubbing your clean finger over her gums may help soothe them.

The pain from teething can make your baby irritable, and she may cry more. If your baby is upset by teething, cuddles and kisses are the best cure.

Sore, swollen gums can make sucking painful for your baby. If your baby is hungry, but keeps coming off your breast or bottle, she may have a tooth coming through. If your baby has started solids, try feeding her cold apple puree or plain yoghurt.

If you look into your baby's mouth, you may see little tooth buds. These buds will look like small bumps along your baby's gum. If you run a finger over them, you may be able to feel the hard tooth underneath.

Find out more about:

• teething
• soothing the symptoms of teething
• how to care for your baby's new teeth