Are you a first-time parent, eager to see your little gummy bear pop a tooth? Or are you terrified of all the horrible things you’ve heard about teething? Did your first kid get every teething symptom known to man? Or did they just appear one day? Whatever your curiosity for teething stems from, I can’t wait to dive deep and get some answers!
So… Why did I take 1,682 pictures of my baby’s gums? So that you wouldn’t have to!
I am a stay at home mom of two gorgeous boys, a photographer, and I am slightly obsessed with the teething process!
So I took a picture of baby M’s mouth every day from the time he was two months old till almost 9! That is except for the day before he actually sprouted that first tooth, since we had just finished traveling 15 hours for a funeral. That’s the one thing you can count on with teeth, they always seem to come when you least expect it! Not to worry though, I documented that second bottom tooth which erupted days later.
When will my baby cut his or her first tooth??
According to Kids Health.org your baby will likely start teething around 3 months, but they often won’t cut these teeth until between 4 and 7 months. This is one of the most important things to note about teething. The pain and symptoms from teething, like drooling and chewing on everything, can start when the babies are young (2-4 months) even if they are a long way away from actually cutting that tooth.
My boys both started teething at 2 months. They chewed on literally everything, and drooled constantly, however they cut their first teeth much later. My first son cut his first tooth at 5 and a half months whereas my second son cut his first tooth at 8 and a half months. So is your baby just Teething’ or actually Cutting a Tooth’?
This gif shows baby M as his second tooth cut. The first picture was the first day you could feel the sharp tip. It wasn’t really visibly noticeable until the next day.
4 days before his First Tooth Cut.
I FEEL A TOOTH!!!
I must admit, both myself and my friends fell for this with all of our kids before the tooth actually cut! If you feel your baby’s gum you may be able to feel a tooth.
This isn’t very surprising because the teeth are there under the gums. That doesn’t mean that your baby’s tooth is just about to cut though.
HOWEVER, in the 4 to 5 days leading up to the actual first tooth cutting with baby M if I applied gentle pressure and wiggled my finger slightly front to back I could actually feel the tip of the tooth and it was slightly Sharp. This was the First Sign I saw of the Tooth actually Cutting.
First Tooth Cut in this Picture!!
Irritability
One of the most talked-about teething symptoms is irritability. Often teething babies have a serious case of the grumps! This symptom definitely varies between kids. My kids were always insanely cranky while teething however some parents don’t notice much of a change in their kids demeanor.
According to the Clevland Clinic, your baby is likely to sleep less during teething due to pain or other factors like a change in routine. My sons often wake up more while teething due to general teething pain as well as from the inevitable ear infection and cold that often accompany each tooth. However, I found that sometimes they slept more. More on this below!
Chewing
Is your baby chewing on literally everything? Not just mouthing things occasionally, I mean putting every surface they could possibly chew on in their mouth. Then they might be getting close to cutting that tooth!
Drool
Drool is a tricky teething symptom. Babies drool almost all the time so this isn’t a great way to tell if your baby is getting ready to cut a tooth. However drool can increase before your baby cuts a tooth causing them to have rashes around their face and mouth. Some babies also get the runs, I know mine both did!!
When will the Tooth Fully Cut?
The picture on the left was the first day that the second tooth cut. And the picture on the right is 18 days later! It’s impossible to say how long it will take your baby specifically it took baby M roughly 2 and a half weeks.
What can I do to Soothe my Baby?
There are so many ways to help a teething baby! Every mom swears by something different. I personally found that Motrin worked the best however since you don’t want to give it unless you are absolutely sure that your baby is in pain, it is best to have some other tricks up your sleeves as well!
Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether
This banana brush is amazing! I used it for both of my boys. The rubber banana brush is a great shape, it can be used for teething in the front and can be chewed on further back when your baby is cutting molars. You can use it as a tooth brush. Additionally it is bright and cheerful. The only downside is that it does not get cold.
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
Another favorite in our house was teething keys. These keys are great because they double as a fun toy and can be cooled in the fridge for extra soothing power.
Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder, 2 Pack, Blue/Green
These mesh teethers are so much fun for little kids and can also be frozen or put in the fridge to cool for your babies gums! Only downside is that they create a huge mess when you put fruit in it. These are great for outdoor summer use though.
RaZbaby RaZ-Berry Silicone Teether/Multi-Texture Design/Hands Free Design/Red
When my oldest starting getting his molars he would chew off the tops of his pacifiers which is dangerous because he could choke. This silicon teething pacifier was absolutely amazing for him! He could chew on it safely and it worked well to soothe him.
Punkin Butt Teething Oil 2 oz. | Natural Relief for Babies First Teeth
This oil is a very safe and natural way to sooth your babies teething pain. It is great since you can rub it on their gums even before the teeth are cutting.
EGGO WAFFLES BUTTERMILK 10 CT 12.3 OZ PACK OF 3
My mother in law swears by frozen waffles! This easy cold snack can be gummed and used to soothe swollen gums. This is best saved for children who are old enough to eat it safely. It works well for my second child who is a proficient eater. My firstborn didn’t get the hang of it until he was around a year and a half.
Teething Remedies to Avoid
Orajel Baby Daytime and Nighttime Non-Medicated Cooling Gels for Teething
I never used Orajel because of the possible side effects. According to drug.com it can cause a condition where your oxygen levels become dangerously low. It is also not recommended to use on children under 2 years old.
Baltic Amber Teething Necklace For Babies
The FDA warns against using amber teething necklaces due to choking and strangulation hazards.
Whether your baby is teething now, or will be teething soon, good luck! May the odds be ever in our favor.
