by Ellen Page

Created on: April 27, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2010

Teething can be a long-drawn-out painful process for some, however, each baby is different and will cope differently. There are many ways to help your baby cope, from natural ways to medication. To begin with you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of teething, and then you will be prepared to help your baby cope with the discomfort that it can cause. Some of the most common symptoms are red flushed cheeks, red inflamed gums, excessive dribbling, restlessness, and a change in appetite, are the first signs that a tooth is on its way. As a tooth is ready to erupt it can cause the gums to become swollen and irritated as it pushes its way up, which can cause pain and discomfort. Here are the signs to look out for, and how you can help your baby cope with the pain associated with teething.

• Dribbling

Teething promotes a lot of dribbling which can cause a rash on the area around the mouth and chest, which will elevate the discomfort and the annoyance of teething. It is a good idea to try and prevent a rash from occurring, you can use a soft dry cotton cloth to dab around the mouth, and if your infant's clothes become wet from excessive dribbling then it is advisable to change the damp clothes to prevent chapping. A bib can be worm to keep the clothes dry, if your baby is happy to wear one.

• Desire to chew and gnaw on everything

Teething gives infants the desire to gnaw and clamp down on anything in sight to relieve the gums; this is a natural way for them to get relief. It is advisable to provide safe items for your infant to chew on, there are many teething aids available for different stages of teething which provide a textured surface that will massage the gums, and these can also be chilled to give extra relief to sore gums. A cold clean damp flannel will also be appreciated, as the rough damp surface is a nice feeling against the gums, this is also good for cleaning the gums and any new teeth that are starting to erupt. The flannel should be washed regularly to prevent germs from building up.

• Food

Teething infants usually lose their appetite; this can be because the gums are feeling tender and sore so food may be difficult for them to chew, as it will aggravate the already sore gums. You can provide your infant with soft chilled foods that require little chewing, also chilled foods such as, mashed banana or yogurt provide give relief, as they cool the mouth. Reverting back to soft mashed foods is also a good idea,

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