Infant Teething Symptoms

More or less bothersome, infant teething symptoms affect the majority of babies around six or seven months of age. Many parents are not prepared for the intensity of certain infant teething symptoms, and though very unpleasant reactions are rare, they do nevertheless exist. Drooling, gum swelling, redness and lack of appetite are among the most common of the infant teething symptoms; they appear in almost all the case, but the reaction to the discomfort entirely depends on the child.

In case of excessive drooling, you should be prepared to stick to very strict hygiene rules: do not let the child's face wet for too long a period of time as this increases the risk of developing irritations, rashes and even infections. There is no way to control such infant teething symptoms, so you basically have to help the child cope with it by carefully wiping the saliva off the face, and eventually using some fat but gentle baby cream on certain cheek areas.

For gum swelling, you can give your baby a special teething ring to chew at; biting at a hard surface reduces the pressure in the gums and reduces the discomfort of such infant teething symptoms. The rings can be made of metal, plastic or rubber, but you need to be careful that there be no detachable parts that can be accidentally swallowed by the baby. Another way of alleviating the soreness of the gums is by using some special gels and powders designed for pediatric usage.

Many parents grow worried when they notice changes in the behavior of their baby; such infant teething symptoms are actually normal given the fact that something is bothering the child. Some babies start scratching their cheeks or pulling their ears, as part of the pain in the gums can pass to the ears and the back part of the mouth. Irritability accompanied by crying is also frequently associated with teeth eruption, however, if you are not sure that teething is the problem that makes your child cry, contact the doctor immediately.

Infant teething symptoms will only last until the teeth break through the gums, which does not take more than a few days, usually between three and five on the average. Gently massaging the gums with a cold piece of cloth or with the finger could also help soothe the baby and improve its overall health condition and mood. Any deterioration of the baby's condition should not be overlooked, as more serious problems may lie behind!