Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary rate, and each milestone will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how to communicate with them to help stimulate their learning.
The appearance of a baby's first teeth is often an emotional moment for parents, but not always easy for the child! Pain, excessive drooling, red cheeks… teething is accompanied by a multitude of minor ailments that can be bothersome for your baby.
The arrival of baby's first teeth
The timing of tooth eruption varies considerably from child to child. The first tooth usually appears before 6 months of age. However, it can appear as early as 4 months in some children (or even at birth in exceptional cases). Conversely, a 12-month-old baby may not yet have any teeth, without this being a sign of developmental problems if no other abnormalities are present.
So be patient… When your baby starts biting their toys hard, sucking their fingers constantly and drooling a lot, there’s a good chance their first tooth is very close!
Teeth almost always appear in the same order in all babies.
Most often, teeth erupt in the following way:
Between 6 and 10 months: the lower central incisors.
Between 8 and 12 months: the upper central incisors.
Between 9 and 16 months: the upper and lower lateral incisors.
Between 13 and 24 months: the first premolars.
Between 16 and 23 months: the canines.
Between 23 and 33 months: the second premolars.
Thus, between the ages of two and a half and three, all 20 of your child's baby teeth should have erupted. They will then be fine until around age six, at which point their adorable little baby teeth will begin to fall out, making way for the permanent teeth. permanent teeth.
The main signs of teething
The signs of teething vary from child to child. The eruption of a tooth is preceded by a more or less painful inflammation of the gums. The pain is due to the movement of the teeth within the jawbone, or to their passage through the gum.
Teething can also be accompanied by a host of minor, harmless problems, but sometimes bothersome for your baby:
- Swollen, red and sensitive gums
- Excessive salivation. This increased salivation protects the gums during teething.
- One cheek (or both) red and hot
- A grumpy mood: your child may be more irritable than usual and cry more easily
- Irritation around the mouth
- Diaper rash
- A slight fever (below 38°C)
- Disturbed sleep
- A temporary loss of appetite
However, be careful not to attribute everything to teething: if they are indeed related to the eruption of a tooth, all these symptoms should fade quickly.
A fever above 38°C, pain that seems too severe, diarrhea, vomiting or a greyish complexion should not be attributed to teeth: if you have any doubt, consult your doctor.
Simple little things to soothe baby during teething
- Comfort him and cuddle him. Think of him. massage His whole body. This will soothe him; your caresses will make him forget his pain.
- Gently and regularly wipe your baby's face with a clean cloth. This will help prevent irritation caused by saliva.
- Offer him a clean, liquid-free teething ring that he can chew on as he pleases. Some can be chilled beforehand (but not frozen), as the cold is beneficial due to its slightly numbing effect.
- Gently massage her gums with a perfectly washed finger, or with a clean, damp cloth.
- Give him cold foods suitable for his age (compotes, yogurts, etc.)
And others to avoid
- Do not apply anesthetic products as they are dangerous. The baby could swallow them and they could decrease the swallowing reflex that allows the baby to swallow.
- Do not give him raw vegetables or fruit to bite on, as they could get stuck in his throat.
- Avoid using a teething necklace (such as an amber necklace)
- Teething biscuits are not recommended because they do not provide relief and contain sugar which can cause cavities.
- Finally, forget old wives' tales: never pierce your baby's gums to help the tooth come through. Don't rub them with alcohol or sugar to help it erupt.
When should you see a doctor?
If the pain is too severe, if your child's temperature is above 38.5°C, if your baby has other symptoms or does not seem to be in their usual condition, then it is strongly advised to consult your doctor.
He may prescribe a soothing balm that you will use to massage your baby's gums, or a homeopathic preparation.
