Many parents anxiously await the appearance of their baby’s first tooth. It’s a sign that baby is transitioning from infant to toddler, and that soon they’ll be able to start enjoying solid foods. It’s also a sign that tears and tantrums are coming because teething is generally a fairly uncomfortable event for babies. Here’s a look at the signs that come just before that first tooth, and how you can help soothe your child. The Beginning Most babies start to cut teeth around six to ten months old, but many kids wait until their first birthday to cut that first tooth. Kids have their own timeline, and you shouldn’t be worried about a late tooth cutting. If your child reaches 18 months without a cut tooth, you may make an appointment to talk to your child’s doctor. The Signs Everyone knows about the fussiness of children cutting their first teeth. But some babies don’t experience discomfort with teething, and you could always wake up to a surprise tooth almost overnight. So, if your child isn’t in discomfort, how else can you know that a tooth is near? Here are a few other signs that can hint that your child’s first tooth is on the verge of coming in as well. - Increased drooling - The desire to chew on objects that previously didn’t interest your child - Loss of appetite - Difficulty sleeping - Tugging at the ears Many parents also believe that a teething baby will experience a fever. While it is true that a low-grade fever may be present, low grade is the key term. Anything over 99 degrees isn’t associated with teething and deserves a visit to the pediatrician. Soothing the Pain Helping your child will not only ease either discomfort but will also help your anxiety. It’s hard to see your child in pain, and playing an active role in relieving that pain can help you feel in control of a situation that you don’t have a lot of control of in the first place. - Give baby’s gums a massage with a clean finger. Applying pressure can help relieve the pain of teething. - Give baby a chilled or frozen washcloth to gnaw on. - Offer fruit puree in a mesh pocket feeder. The flavor will keep baby gnawing, and the pressure will relieve the pain. - Teething necklaces are a major trend right now. They allow baby a hard surface to gnaw on to relieve the pressure of the teeth cutting the gum. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against Amber stone teething necklaces, however, stating that they’re a choking hazard. Instead, try a silicone teething necklace like our dog tag model. - Distracting baby can actually work great as a pain relief model! - Wipe up the excess drool. Too much moisture around the mouth can lead to additional pain for baby. - When all else fails, talk to your doctor about over the counter pain relief medications like Tylenol. What to Avoid Tempting as it may be, try to avoid using over the counter medications like Anbesol or Orajel. These contain benzocaine, a chemical that has been linked to methemoglobinemia, a condition which reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. The condition is rare, but it can be fatal. The FDA also urges parents to avoid so-called homeopathic teething tablets. Lab tests have revealed belladonna, a toxic substance, in many of these tablets. In the tests, the tabs contained far more Belladonna than was disclosed on the label. Children under two are not able to easily break down the substance, and their reaction to it can be unpredictable. We believe that there are far better teething solutions with far fewer risks out there! On last word? If your child doesn’t seem to be in distress, even if signs of teething are present, don’t feel as though you have to intervene. Some kiddos are just tough, and your attempts to soothe a pain that they don’t have could be worse than teething! Of course, QALO is excited about your growing family, too. We’re excited to officer fashionable silicone teething necklaces that are the perfect marriage of form and function. These safe teethers provide comfort to baby in an attractive, safe necklace that you won’t mind wearing at all. Check them out, here.