Teething Troubles

Soothing Your Baby's Discomfort

That First Tooth is More Than Just a Milestone; It's a Pox Before the Peace

You may have been at this parenting gig for a few months, slogging through and feeling like you've almost got it figured out — until that kid you love so much begins to act … weird. They're drooling more than usual, gnawing on their little fists like they're starving, and now rejecting the bottle or breast they loved just yesterday. The naps are shorter, the nights longer, and you can't shake the feeling you're forgetting something. That "off" you're sensing? It may be teething at the door.

Teething can seem like a curveball — most of all because it doesn't come with a calendar alert. It's also erratic, uncomfortable and frequently accompanied by symptoms that resemble illness or crankiness. But this stage, however stormy it feels, is one of your baby's first rights of passage. And as with all changes, it requires patience, presence and a whole lot of compassion for them and for you. This guide is the grounded friend that accompanies you through it all: the signs, the soothing, the sanity-saving breaths in between.

The Subtle (and Not-So-Subtle) Symptoms of Teething

Babies are remarkably good at expressing their discomfort. They just don't do it in a language we understand. Symptoms of teething tend to arrive before a baby's first tooth, and parents who know what to expect can give comfort and a little TLC before reactions get confusing.

Here's what you might notice:

• Slobbering: At outfit-soaking levels. This can begin weeks before the tooth cuts through and frequently causes irritation of the skin around the mouth or on the chin.
• Relentless gnawing: The baby you once knew might transform into an itty-bitty beaver, chomping on whatever they come in contact with — teething rings, toys, fingers, even the corner of a table or chair.
• Irritability or mood changes: Teething pain might turn even the good-natured baby into a "grump." You may notice your LO is clingy or fussy with no clear reason why.
• Sleep disturbances: Pain usually flares more at night, so don't be surprised if your child wakes more often or is fussy.
• Swelling in the gums or tenderness: You may feel a bump or notice a small white area under the gumline. It can red or bruised in some cases.
• Lack of interest in feeding: Sucking can aggravate sore gums, so your baby might cut a feed short or be more disinterested than usual.

Not all babies will display all of these symptoms, and some will cut their teeth with barely a whimper. But if that gut feeling is murmuring, "Something's up" — listen.

Comforting Techniques from the Grounds of Connection

Teething doesn't have to be a battle. There are kind, mindful ways to soothe your baby that also make you feel more grounded in your care taking. These are not mere patches — they are rituals of connection and trust.

🌿 Cool Relief That Calms

Applied directly to the inflamed area, cold can be astoundingly soothing to swollen gums. Here are some cold (but not frozen) options to try:

• A silicone or rubber teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes. Do not use gel-filled teethers that may break open.
• A cold, wet washcloth, twisted up and placed in the refrigerator — simple, effective and chewing safe.
• Cold fruit in a mesh feeder (frozen banana or refrigerated apple slices) for babies who have begun eating solid food. Always supervise closely.

These alternatives also help take the edge off teething pain and provide safe opportunities for your baby to explore his mouth and strengthen his oral motor skills.

👐 Touch and Light Pressure

There's nothing like the comfort of your touch:

• Rub their gums in small, gentle circles with a clean finger. Do press with just enough force to tamp down the ache — it's usually an instant soother.
• Provide teething necklaces made from food-grade silicone (worn by caregivers) as a visual aid in comforting and bonding during snuzzles, too.

Never underestimate the physical reassurance of your touch. Even if nothing "solves" the fussiness, your baby knows you're there.

When to Call a Pediatrician

Although teething might make your baby a bit uncomfortable, it shouldn't keep him in distress for days or weeks. It also should not lead to high fevers or severe symptoms — those are red flags to watch for.

Contact your pediatrician if:

• Your baby has a fever of more than 100.4°F (38°C) for more than a day. Mild, low-grade fevers aren't uncommon, but large fevers typically aren't from teething alone.
• You observe diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash in addition to the regular drool irritation.
• They're not eating or drinking for 24 hours or more— you want to make sure they stay hydrated.
• Signs of infection are evident in the gum (pus, severe bleeding, pronounced swelling).
• The misery feels unbearable and relentless in spite of comfort.

Your intuition is your superpower. If something doesn't feel right, you're never overreacting if you want to feel reassured.

This Is Also A Phase—And It Shall Pass

Teething can seem relentless, like a long, damp season of fussiness. But it's temporary. Those little teeth will pop up, one to another, until before you know it, your baby will have a white, toothy smile. Most important, they'll always turn to you — their solid, reassuring guide — for comfort throughout the process.

Each time you reply calmly is another time you hold them a little longer and whisper them through the hard moments, is another time you're showing them what safety feels like. You are doing more than soothing their gums. You're building resilience.