• Bulging gums, you may actually be able to see the bump where the tooth is trying to push through.
• Drooling
• Red cheeks
• Low fever (brief) not more than 101, and not long lasting. If the fever is higher, and persists, it is probably something else.
• Pulling at ears (the sensory nerve that feels pain is the same for teeth and ears so they may feel pain in their ears when it is from their teeth, and vice-versa)
• Night waking, if you notice a change and the baby wakes up in pain
• Distractions of the day are gone at night so it may be harder to deal with at night.
• Looser stools, even diarrhea
• Stronger urges to bite and chew anything and everything, if you stick your finger in their mouth and they clamp down on it, you’ll know!

Ideas to help:Most importantly, be understanding of their discomfort. Even they do not understand why they feel a little off (compare yourself with PMS!) so be patient and reassure them by cuddling or distracting them from their pain with a book or a massage or singing to them. You will be surprised how well they can handle the discomfort and settle themselves down when they know you are there to help. You know, anything is more bearable with a friend nearby (remember labor pains! You really need someone to hold your hand or talk you through it).

• Give your baby a cool bottle of water.
• Give her a cool washcloth to chew on. This is something you could freeze. Wring it out well so there isn’t much water in it and it won’t stay frozen for long.
• Acetimenophen or Ibuprofen (I like Ibuprofen better, but every baby is different) for short periods of time when it is worse than others (it does come and go).

You have to choose, let the baby wail and spiral out of control (then the pain becomes something to fear and the response may become automatic the next time she feels the discomfort) or give her something you know will help. Do you take medicine when you have a headache? Help her out. Most bouts with teething aren’t going to last weeks at a time.

• Some people have success with the homeopathic pills (Hylands teething tablets) that go under your tongue. I never used them but I understand they are effective for just a short period of time, but it may be enough to help your baby settle down and get distracted again.

Most teethers are only useful for cutting the front teeth. Try to find something so they can get it to their molars, which can be more uncomfortable to cut.Other things to watch for:

• Keep baby’s chin and neck dry. The extra drooling can cause a rash or irritation. You can use cornstarch to provide a little dryness in all those cute pudgy fat folds! Use a teething bib or even a bandana. I’m more comfortable with things that Velcro on and off to avoid it getting caught on something and choking the baby.
• Don’t use liquid filled teething rings. Emerging teeth can tear through. Quite honestly, I haven’t found them useful whatsoever.Don’t give her frozen items. Some people freeze teethers, or bagels or popsicles. They are just unable to let go when their fingers get too cold. You really wouldn’t like holding a frozen object continuously. And parts of the food may break off as it thaws and cause a choking hazard.
• I don’t like topical numbing gels, like Anbesol. It can really feel strange and it is difficult to get ONLY on the spot you need it (assuming you know EXACTLY WHERE you need it) and the excessive drool she’s experiencing slides that gel elsewhere and leaves her feeling strange.

The Baby Safe Feeder is a great option so you can give a cold wedge of apple to your baby without worrying he’ll choke on it. Food (cold food) goes in the mesh bag and baby works and works and tiny bits of food (and flavor) come through the mesh. They’ll be busy and love the delicious taste. You can keep it interesting with lots of different foods. You can actually try frozen foods in this because they won’t be holding the frozen part with their sensitive little fingers. Frozen grapes, peaches, mangoes.Baby’s First Toothbrush, that we talked about last week, doubles as a great teether. It can reach those back molars and can be very soothing.

Good luck! Remember to be reassuring and let your baby know it isn’t a bad thing. You will get through it together!