The 5 Stages of Teething
Teething is an important milestone in a child’s development. It’s one of those things that clearly indicate that a baby will soon be a toddler and will be functioning more like everybody else. It’s exciting, but it can also be a quite challenging time for parents and infants, especially with the discomforts the little ones feel during this stage.
If you’re a parent, knowing what to expect when your child starts teething will be helpful in minimizing the pains of the teething period. The period is divided into five stages; provided below are the changes you can expect and how to deal with them as your child goes through these different Stages of Teething.
Stage 1
This is from 0-6 months. All your child’s milk teeth are still below the surface. Not much discomfort can be expected here until the 6th month when the little one starts feeling new sensations on his gums that make him want to “gum” everything.
Stage 2
This is from 6-8 months; your child now cuts his first teeth. The lower and upper front teeth, known as the incisors, begin to come out at around 6 months. Prior to the eruption, you’ll see the white top part of the teeth pushing against the gums. This can create a somewhat “itchy” sensation, which is relieved when the baby chews on things. Cold “teethers” (those rubbery items that you can cool in the fridge) help a lot during this time. Along with the itchy sensation, expect the baby to drool a lot, so have the baby wear a bib to help keep him dry. Also, have a cloth for wiping saliva away handy to keep the baby’s mouth and chin dry; constant saliva wetness can result in rashes forming around the baby’s mouth.
Stage 3
This is from 10-14 months. During this stage, the primary molars begin erupting and they tend to create more severe discomforts for the little one. Therefore, be prepared for frequent crankiness and whining. It’s also quite common for babies to experience loss of appetite, and have fever and diarrhea. If your child’s overly sensitive during this stage, do have a check-up with the doctor to see what solutions you can use to reduce your child’s discomforts.
Stage 4
This is from 16-22 months when canine teeth start to emerge. Similar discomforts are present; as such, the same solutions can be used to make the baby as comfortable as possible.
Stage 5
This is from 25-33 months. The last stage is the worst; the little one will experience the most severe pains as large molars emerge. The location and size of the teeth increase the intensity of the discomfort and you can expect your baby to be greatly irritable. Try giving your child a cold, hard vegetable such as a peeled cucumber or carrot – this can help relieve the pain (make sure you monitor your kid all the time, though, because he may bite off a big chunk of the veggie and choke on it).
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