Baby teething
A doctor explains teething symptoms and remedies.
Teething is an exciting milestone, but it can cause discomfort for babies. Dr. Alok Patel, paediatrician at Stanford Children's Hospital, explains what you can do to help your little one through teething pain and what to avoid.
Watch the video or read the tips below.
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Ask a doctor: Teething
I have a love-hate relationship with baby teeth because they're adorable and they're functional, but they cause a lot of sleepless nights. Let's talk about it.
Baby teeth
Usually in babies, the first teeth to show up are the bottom two teeth. Then it's the top two teeth. Then it's the teeth on the sides and then it's the molars.
Teething symptoms
Some children really don't mind teething at all. They have no symptoms. But for other babies and children, symptoms can include drooling, irritability, disrupted eating or sleep. They all round just don't feel great. Those inflamed gums really bother them.
Can teething cause fever or diarrhoea?
It's important to remember that teething should not cause fevers, and it really shouldn't cause diarrhoea either. So if you do notice these symptoms in your teething children, your child may actually have an infection.
Teething remedies
Here are some things you can do at home right now to help out your teething children.
You can use a clean finger and gently push on the spot, or you can use a wet washcloth. Simply get it wet and put it in the freezer for 30 minutes. You can use a rubber teething toy, a stuffed animal, anything that's big enough that won't break apart, that a child can safely chew or gnaw on.
Important to note that you should only offer food items like frozen biscuits or a banana for children who are already eating solid foods, and not necessarily young teething babies.
Teething remedies to avoid
There are also some teething remedies or medications you want to avoid.
For example, any teething toy that has liquid or gel in it could potentially be dangerous because they can break.
Teething necklaces, such as those with amber beads, can be a choking or strangulation hazard and they don't actually work.
Also, teething medications are potentially unsafe for babies to have in their mouths.
When in doubt, if you have questions about how to keep your teething children comfortable, you want to talk to a doctor and see what works for you and your child.
But remember, teething is not something that we should fear. Teething is a milestone that all children go through and we should celebrate it.
Dr. Alok Patel is a father, paediatrician at Stanford Children's hospital, producer and ABC News correspondent.
