Is my newborn teething?

Teething is a natural process during which a baby’s teeth start to emerge through the gums. While the exact timing of teething can vary from child to child, most babies will begin teething around 6 months of age. However, rarely teething can start at 3 months of age of earlier! Alternatively, sometimes teeth might not emerge until around a baby’s first birthday. Many parents wonder “is my newborn teething?” because the signs of teething can be difficult to distinguish from other common newborn behaviors. At any rate, teething is something your little one will experience off and on until around 2 to 3 years old, when their full set of baby teeth finishes coming in.

What are the signs of newborn teething?

Some babies show signs of teething, while others seem to not miss a beat. For babies who do show signs of teething, the typical signs and symptoms of teething include:

• Irritability or fussiness
• Excessive drooling
• Chewing on firm objects
• Sore or sensitive gums
• Rash on the face (from excessive drooling)

The following symptoms can commonly be confused for teething, but they are not typical teething signs. It’s important to seek medical guidance if your baby is experiencing any of the following:

• Extreme or prolonged crying
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Diaper rash

Again, these are not typical signs of teething and do warrant medical attention.

What are the typical stages of teething?

Teething occurs in several stages, with one or several teeth emerging at once.

• Stage 1 of teething (0-6 months): At birth, babies have a full set of 20 primary teeth beneath their gums, but no teeth usually emerge during this stage. The rare exception is called natal teeth, when a baby is in fact born with at least one tooth.
• Stage 2 of teething (6-8 months): The lower and upper front teeth, known as incisors, begin to emerge around 6 months of age, and signs of discomfort may become evident before this time. For most, but not all babies, the bottom incisors emerge first.
• Stage 3 of teething (10-14 months): After the incisors emerge, the primary molars begin erupting. These teeth come in the back of the mouth in the lower and upper jaws. Parent may notice even more pronounced signs of teething during this stage.
• Stage 4 of teething (16-22 months): After the primary molars, the lower and upper canine teeth will emerge.
• Stage 5 of teething (25-33 months): During this final teething stage, the large lower and upper molars emerge.

How can I help my teething baby feel better?

Teething is a natural process that all babies will go through throughout the first years of life. While you may wonder “is my newborn teething?”, it’s uncommon for babies under 3 months of age to begin teething. Many babies go through teething without much of a fuss. Others may benefit from safe teething home remedies such as:

• Teething rings
• Cooled wet washcloth
• Chilled pacifier
• Gum massage with a clean finger

Most babies do not need pain medication for teething. It’s also important to note that medicated teething gels are not FDA-approved. Also please note that using essential oils on the gums can be dangerous and is not recommended! Amber teething necklaces should be used with caution and if you want to use one you might consider putting it on their ankle vs their neck!

Teething is Normal

Teething is a natural process that can cause discomfort for babies and toddlers. Mild irritability or fussiness, drooling, chewing are common teething signs that can cause confusion. It’s unlikely that a newborn baby would experience teething under 3 months of age, but it’s not unheard of.

Understanding the signs and stages of teething can help you recognize when your baby is teething, and help you be best prepared with safe teething comfort measures. If you have concerns about your baby’s teething process, it’s advisable to consult with a pediatric dentist or healthcare professional for guidance and advice.

Remember, every child is unique, and the teething process can vary from one baby to another. It’s important to be patient and provide comfort and care to your baby during this developmental stage.