How to deal with a teething baby

Can you blame it on the teeth?

Although parents connect a variety of symptoms to the arrival of a tooth, doctors are often reluctant to attribute a rash or loose bowels or irritability to teething for the very good reason that this "diagnosis" could mask other health concerns that might need attention. Many an ear tug that was originally attributed to teething ended up actually being an ear infection. You'll get to know your baby's teething pattern and be a good judge of when a symptom relates to teething or when it needs further investigation by your doctor.

Signs Of Teething

• Drooling from increased saliva production.

• Face rash caused by drooling. Pat off the drool-don't rub it. Also, lubricate the irritated area with a mild cream.

• Throat-clearing, again from increased saliva.

• Chewing. A teething baby will bite down on any hard surface -- a table edge, crib rail, books, toys, or teethers -- for some relief. A baby may massage his gums with his tongue, fingers, and fist. Occasionally he'll bite down while nursing, which requires a prompt No.

• Irritability. Indications of pain, such as sharp crying, rubbing his face.

• Diarrhea. Parents often notice looser bowel movements when babies are teething, but doctors are reluctant to assume a connection for fear of missing a more serious diagnosis for which diarrhea is a symptom.

• Low-grade fever. Inflammation of the gums can sometimes result in a low-grade fever. Teething rarely causes a fever higher than 38°C (100.4°F).

• Reluctance to feed. Suckling puts pressure on swollen gums. If your baby takes to the breast eagerly only to pull away in pain, the onset of teeth may be the cause.

• Wakefulness. If your baby is showing signs of teething during the day, expect some disruption in his sleep at night, even if he was previously a steady sleeper.

• Ear pulling. The gums share nerve centres with the ears and cheeks a baby may indicate discomfort in her gums by grabbing at her ear.