As those first tiny teeth begin to peek through, it might feel like your little one suddenly wants to chew on everything. Toys...fingers...everything is fair game. We know this phase can be tough, so we just wanted to lend a helping hand with some little insights into the world of teething. After all, knowing what to expect and how to soothe your little one might make this milestone just a little bit easier.  

What are the signs of teething? 

While your little one may start teething at around three months, you usually won’t see the first little tooth until around four to six months of age. Usually, the first teeth to appear are the bottom two incisors, followed then by the molars. Here are some signs to look out for: 

• As your little one begins teething, they may drool more or try to chew on things. 
• Teething can cause gum pain, so it's likely your bub will be a little bit irritable and fussy. Some say there isn’t enough discomfort to cause crying, but this will really depend on your baby. Every little one is different, but if your bub seems overly uncomfortable, please consult your doctor. 
• Sometimes children can develop a rash on their face. This is due to the increased saliva which can irritate their skin (it's more a biproduct of the drooling). 
• Your little one might also pull on their ear (on the side of the emerging tooth). 
• Flushed cheeks are also a common sign of teething. 

Is a fever a normal part of teething? 

While swollen gums may increase your child’s temperature, illness is not associated with the teething process. If your little one has a fever, it's likely there is another reason, so you should always talk to your doctor. This goes for any other signs of illness such as vomiting or diarrhea. 

How do I soothe my teething bub? 

We know it's just awful to see your bub uncomfortable, but please rest assured that this will pass. Here are some little ideas that might help soothe your little one 

• Massaging your baby’s gums may help ease some discomfort. You can do this by gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger. Alternatively, you could try a teething ring. Just make sure it isn’t too firm, as this could cause further pain. 
• You can also try giving your bub a wet washcloth that has been in the freezer for 20 or so minutes. Again, just make sure it’s not too hard so you don’t hurt your little one's gums further. 
• If your little one is eating solids, you can also try serving chilled foods to help soothe the discomfort. 
• If you are breastfeeding, this is also a great way to give your little ones some extra comfort. 
• If you choose to use an over-the-counter remedy, please check with your doctor that this is safe for your bub. 
• Chamomile tea has often been used to relieve teething pain. You could try this remedy with cool sips from a spoon or rubbing this directly on your little one's gums. Just be sure that it's caffeine free. 

From our family to yours, we hope these tips help you. We know this isn’t the easiest of times, and we’re here to support you in every way that we can. Please reach out to our Careline team if you have any questions or need support.  

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LittleOak has been nourishing children for many years and feeds millions of infants, babies and children across the globe each and every day, in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. In the US, we're proud to have our FDA compliant Toddler Milk available for families.