Easing The Teething Woes

All things must pass, as they say. Here are some tips on easing the gum grump before the teeth emerge.

Nothing warms the heart like seeing two little white spots emerge from your baby’s gummy smile. Just when you thought your baby has adjusted her biological clock to yours, her teething discomforts start to wake her in the middle of the night (and that means waking you too). Experienced parents can relate to the period when junior could not stop drooling while trying to find something to chew on. From cushions and handkerchiefs to pacifiers (and even mummy’s arms!), babies are desperate for anything to ease the throbbing pain piercing their gums. What do you need to know and do about this phase in your babies’ growth?

Teething stages

Your baby’s teeth will emerge two by two, in a systematic manner. The process usually starts when they are between four- to seven-months-old. The first to emerge are the bottom front incisors, followed by the top two. The lateral incisors follow, growing adjacent to these four teeth during your child’s eighth to 16th months. Then comes the molars, which will grant your baby the ability to chew and grind biscuits and other savoury crispy treats.