Brought to you by Caldebaby Teething Gel.
Has your little angel suddenly morphed into Oscar the Grouch overnight? If their generally grumpy demeanor comes with a hefty side of drool and tears on tap, buckle in: it's teething time!
It's important to note that while some babies are irritable for a few weeks while cutting their first tooth (usually between three and six months), many babies experience only very gentle teething symptoms.
Here are six signs your little cutie is growing some canines in that gummy smile:
1. She's lost her appetite
The strange sensation of a tooth erupting can make it difficult for a baby to feed. Keep trying (they'll usually latch on to a breast or take a bottle eventually) but do contact your doctor if it persists for more than a couple of days.
2. Drooling
Excessive dribble is par for the course in babyhood (it takes a while to learn how to control or swallow saliva!) but some babies really let loose in the drool department when they begin teething. To prevent a rash, try and keep her face and neck clean and dry with a clean, soft cloth. Dab, don't rub, to avoid further irritation.
3. She's suddenly a big fan of biting and chewing
Whether it's the corner of her bib or her own little hands, a teething baby will often suck or attempt to chew everything in their path. Sometimes the old tricks are the best: take a clean cloth, run it under the tap, squeeze it out and spread it with a tablespoon of apple sauce. Roll up the cloth and twist, then pop it in the freezer for and hour or so. The resulting frozen twist might look basic, but baby will love the cool sensation and the sweet taste.
4. She's crying more than usual
Gum inflammation is no joke when you're only six months old. The sudden, unfamiliar pain can be enough to make anyone feel miserable so don't be surprised if your little one is grumpier than normal. Try rubbing a pea-sized amount of CaldeBaby Teething Gel on irritated gums to cool and soothe. It's sugar-free and has a pleasant honey flavour.
5. Her sleep is disrupted
This will be more apparent in babies who tend to sleep through the night, but one of the earliest signs of teething is disrupted slumber. Try not to re-introduce night feeds to help her nod off, stick to other methods of comforting (gentle singing or rocking) to soothe her back to dreamland.
6. She's rubbing her face more than usual
The pain from aching gums can spread to other areas of your baby's face, causing her to rub her face and perhaps pull at her ears in frustration.
Brought to you by Caldebaby Teething Gel.
