When your child’s first tooth comes through it is an important milestone. However, it can be quite an uncomfortable one. The more you know about teething, the better you can help your baby get through it. Here's what you must know about your baby teething troubles and when to call our home doctor for baby teething troubles in Sotogrande.
About teething
Most babies tend to start teething when they're around 6 month’s old. However, all babies are different so some might start to teeth early on, others may teeth a little later. The lower central incisors which are the 2 teeth located at the front on the bottom of the jaw are typically the first teeth to come through. This is followed by the upper central incisors, which are located at the top of the jaw.
Signs that your child is teething can include:
- Chewing on things
- Dribbling
- Low fever of 37.2 C
- Irritability
- Tender or sore gums
Some parents worry that teething can cause diarrhoea or a high fever but there’s not enough evidence to suggest this is the case.
The best way to soothe your Child’s Gums
If you think your baby is teething, you should consider doing the following:
Rubbing their gums – Take a clean finger and rub it on your baby’s gums. This can help to ease their discomfort.
Use a teething ring – This can help to soothe their gums. However, you should make sure that the ring is not too cold.
Offer them a carrot or a cucumber – If your little one is already eating solid foods, a piece of carrot or cucumber could help them. Please make sure you keep an eye on your child as there is always a choking risk.
Clean up the dribble – When your child starts teething he or she will have excess dribble. This can irritate the skin. You can help to prevent this by keeping a clean and dry cloth nearby. Wipe their chin and mouth with the cloth. You might also want to consider using some lotion or moisturiser.
Medication – Visit your local pharmacy and ask for some over the counter medication. This could help to ease your child’s discomfort.
Avoid homeopathic remedies – these can often contain lidocaine or other painkillers which could be harmful to your child.
When to call our home doctor for baby teething troubles in Sotogrande
When a child is teething they can be quite irritable. However, it is important that you make sure your child is not ill. Call our home doctor for baby teething troubles in Sotogrande or anywhere on the Costa del Sol if your baby:
- Is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 38 C or more
- Is more than 3 months old and has a fever of 38.8 C or more
- Has diarrhoea, a rash and a fever, or vomiting
- Cannot be soothed or settle
- Looks ill or appears to be very sleepy