Teething two month old. Teething at 2 Months: Early Signs, Symptoms, and Effective Remedies

12.12.202010.07.2023 by alexxlab

When do babies typically start teething. What are the common symptoms of teething in infants. How can parents soothe a teething baby. Is it normal for a 2-month-old to show signs of teething. What remedies are safe for early teething babies.

Содержание

Understanding Early Teething: Can Babies Really Start at 2 Months?

While it’s uncommon, some babies may indeed show signs of teething as early as 2 months old. This phenomenon, known as early teething, can catch many parents off guard. But is it normal? Let’s explore this topic in depth.

Most infants begin teething around 6 months of age, with the majority cutting their first tooth between 4 and 7 months. However, the timing of teething can vary significantly from one child to another. Some babies may not get their first tooth until after their first birthday, while others may be born with a tooth or two – a condition occurring in approximately 1 in 2,000 newborns.

Early teethers, those showing signs at 2 or 3 months, are simply ahead of the curve in their dental development. This early start doesn’t necessarily indicate any health issues or future dental problems. It’s important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace, and teething timelines can even be influenced by genetics.

Is early teething cause for concern?

Generally, early teething is not a cause for alarm. However, if you notice signs of teething in your 2-month-old, it’s advisable to consult with your pediatrician. They can confirm whether what you’re observing is indeed teething and rule out any other potential causes for your baby’s symptoms.

Recognizing the Signs: Teething Symptoms in Young Infants

Identifying teething symptoms in a 2-month-old can be challenging, as many of these signs overlap with normal infant behavior. However, there are several common indicators to watch for:

Excessive drooling
Increased fussiness or irritability
Swollen or tender gums
Chewing on fingers, toys, or other objects
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Mild temperature elevation (less than 101째F or 38.3째C)

It’s crucial to note that high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting are not typical teething symptoms. If your baby experiences these, consult your pediatrician as they may indicate an unrelated illness.

Can teething cause a rash?

Yes, teething can sometimes cause a mild facial rash. This is often due to excessive drooling, which can irritate the skin around the mouth and chin. Gently wiping your baby’s face and applying a barrier cream can help prevent and soothe this rash.

The Teething Timeline: What to Expect and When

While every baby is unique, there’s a general pattern to teething that most infants follow:

Bottom front teeth (central incisors): 6-10 months
Top front teeth (central incisors): 8-12 months
Top lateral incisors: 9-13 months
Bottom lateral incisors: 10-16 months
First molars: 13-19 months
Canine teeth: 16-22 months
Second molars: 25-33 months

By age 3, most children will have a full set of 20 primary teeth. Remember, this timeline is just a guideline. Some babies may deviate from this pattern without any cause for concern.

Should I worry if my baby hasn’t started teething by 9 months?

Not necessarily. While most babies will have at least one tooth by 9 months, it’s not uncommon for some to start teething later. If your baby hasn’t cut any teeth by 18 months, it’s advisable to consult a pediatric dentist for an evaluation.

Soothing Strategies: Effective Remedies for Teething Discomfort

Watching your baby struggle with teething pain can be distressing. Fortunately, there are several safe and effective ways to soothe your teething infant:

Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger
Offer a cold teething ring or a clean, wet washcloth to chew on
Use a mesh feeder with frozen fruit for babies over 6 months
Try infant-safe teething toys, especially those that can be refrigerated
For babies over 6 months, offer cold foods like yogurt or applesauce
Consider over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies over 6 months), but always consult your pediatrician first

It’s important to avoid teething gels containing benzocaine, as these can be harmful to infants. Also, steer clear of amber teething necklaces, which pose a choking hazard and have not been proven effective.

Are there any natural remedies for teething pain?

Some parents find success with natural remedies like chamomile tea (cooled and given in small amounts) or frozen breastmilk popsicles. However, always consult your pediatrician before trying any new remedies, especially for very young infants.

Teething and Breastfeeding: Navigating Changes and Challenges

Teething can sometimes affect breastfeeding patterns and behaviors. You might notice:

Changes in latch or feeding position
Increased desire to nurse for comfort
Temporary nursing strikes
Biting or gnawing on the breast

These changes are usually temporary and resolve as your baby becomes accustomed to their new teeth. If you’re experiencing persistent difficulties, consider consulting a lactation specialist for personalized advice.

How can I prevent my teething baby from biting while nursing?

If your baby bites during nursing, try to react calmly but firmly. Say “no” and immediately end the feeding session. This helps your baby associate biting with the end of nursing. You can also try offering a teething toy before or after nursing to satisfy your baby’s urge to chew.

Dental Care for Teething Babies: Starting Good Habits Early

Even before your baby’s first tooth emerges, it’s important to establish good oral hygiene habits:

Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings
Once teeth appear, start brushing twice daily with an infant toothbrush and a rice-grain sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle to prevent tooth decay
Schedule your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth emerging

These early practices set the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.

When should I start using fluoride toothpaste for my baby?

The American Dental Association recommends using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears. This amount is safe if swallowed and helps prevent cavities from the start.

When to Seek Professional Help: Red Flags in Teething

While teething is a normal process, there are situations where professional medical advice should be sought:

High fever (101째F or 38.3째C or higher)
Severe diarrhea or vomiting
Excessive bleeding of the gums
Signs of significant pain or distress
No teeth by 18 months of age
Teeth appearing in an unusual order or with abnormalities

These symptoms may indicate an issue unrelated to teething or a rare complication that requires medical attention.

Could delayed teething indicate a health problem?

In rare cases, delayed teething might be associated with underlying health issues such as nutritional deficiencies, hypothyroidism, or certain genetic conditions. If you’re concerned about your baby’s teething timeline, it’s best to discuss this with your pediatrician.

Teething is a significant milestone in your baby’s development, marking the beginning of their journey towards a full set of teeth. While it can be challenging, especially when it starts early, understanding the process and having effective soothing strategies can make this period easier for both you and your baby. Remember, every child is unique, and there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal in teething. Trust your instincts, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice when needed. With patience and care, you’ll help your little one navigate this important stage of growth and development.

When Do Babies Start Teething? Symptoms, Remedies, and More

Teething is when a baby’s teeth start to come through their gums. Most babies will start teething around the age of 6 months, but some may start sooner or later.

You love watching your baby hit those sweet milestones — the first smile, first giggle, and rolling over for the first time. But one that’s sometimes not so sweet (for you or for them) is teething.

Although this is a typical part of growing for babies, it is one of those milestones that can bring discomfort, tears (from you and baby), and even sleepless nights (yep, more of those!).

As for when your baby will actually start the process, it depends.

A baby’s teeth can sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort, so you might not realize they’re teething until you see the first sign of a tiny white tooth. For other babies, though, teething does cause discomfort.

Common symptoms of teething may include:

drooling
face rash from drooling
chewing on different objects
irritability and crankiness
crying
refusing to eat
swollen, sore, or tender gums
trouble sleeping
flushed cheeks
pulling on their ears
slightly elevated temperature to around 99°F (37. 2°C)

Note

On the other hand, a rectal temperature 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, vomiting, or diarrhea are not usually signs of teething. If your baby has these symptoms, contact their pediatrician.

Was this helpful?

Symptoms of teething in breastfed babies

Teething symptoms can occur whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby. But if you breastfeed or chestfeed, you might notice other changes, too. For example, gum pain or soreness might cause your baby to latch on differently.

Before a tooth emerges (and even afterward), you might feel your baby gnaw or bite down on your breasts. And since breastfeeding is soothing for babies, they might feed more often while teething.

Keep in mind that teething symptoms occur before a tooth breaks through the gum, so don’t be alarmed if you notice these changes in your baby but don’t see any sign of a tooth.

Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old.

But there’s a wide range of when it’s considered “typical” to start teething. So don’t panic if your little one hasn’t cut a tooth by 7 or 9 months old. If you’re concerned, you can always speak with their pediatrician at their next checkup.

To get even more specific, most infants begin teething at around 6 months old. Your little one will likely have a full set of their first teeth by age 3, and all the joys of the teeth-brushing routine will have been long established.

But “typical” doesn’t mean “best” or “all.” Exactly when your baby will start teething may even be hereditary.

And though it may seem impossible, some babies are born with one or two teeth! This occurs in about 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 800 cases — so it’s uncommon. It makes for some incredibly adorable pictures, but let’s be honest — toothless grins are pretty darn cute, too.

Infants born with teeth should have them closely monitored since they can present a choking risk.

Some infants are early teethers — and it usually isn’t anything to worry about! If your little one starts showing signs of teething around 2 or 3 months old, they’re simply ahead of the curve in the teething department. And if your baby is a late teether, try not to worry about this either (easier said than done, we know).

Every baby is different, so don’t be concerned if all your child’s little friends have started to cut teeth already — yours will too, in their own time. In fact, if you’re going to compare at all, it’s better to consider when their siblings (if they have them) got their first tooth.

The bottom two teeth are usually the first to appear, followed by the four upper teeth. So keep an eye on that area and prepare for cuteness overload when they do.

Next, their teeth may come in two at a time, one on each side of the mouth. But this pattern can vary, and many factors can influence the timeline (like if your baby was born early or at a low birth weight, for example).

On average, babies have:

4 teeth by 11 months
8 teeth by 15 months
12 teeth by 19 months
16 teeth at 23 months

Those sometimes distressing (but always perfectly usual) teething symptoms may come and go during this time period. Or they may be more consistent as your little one cuts new teeth or starts to feel the first symptoms of a tooth emerging.

If your child doesn’t have any teeth by 18 months, see a pediatric dentist for evaluation. In rare cases, an underlying medical issue may cause a delay in teething. These may include:

malnutrition
vitamin deficiency
underactive thyroid

If you’re concerned that it’s been a while since your child cut their last one or two teeth, speak with their pediatrician.

When your little one is teething, you may feel more inclined to reach for that bottle of wine or chocolate bar because it’s tough to see your baby in pain. (No? Just us?)

Well, baby needs some soothing, too.

Home remedies

These are some tried and true — and most importantly, safe — home remedies you can try:

Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger, knuckle, or moistened gauze pad.
Hold a cold washcloth, spoon, or chilled teething ring on your baby’s gums.
Use plastic or rubber toys that are chilled — never frozen solid (ouch!).
Offer cold foods like a chilled little slice of cucumber if your baby is already eating solids — but always keep a watchful eye on them, because this could be a choking hazard.

Medical treatment

Currently, there aren’t any medical treatments to soothe teething pain in a baby. The good news, though, is that babies typically respond positively to home remedies.

If these remedies don’t relieve symptoms, feel free to ask your pediatrician about the occasional use of over-the-counter baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Your pediatrician can advise whether this is an OK treatment and provide guidance on proper dosing.

And an important note: No matter how attractive the item or the claims of its manufacturers, avoid teething necklaces or bracelets — worn by adults or babies — made of amber, wood, or silicone. These can quickly turn into choking hazards, and it’s just not worth it.

Also on the no-go list: homeopathic teething tablets and medicated topical gels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against using both of these products.

Medicated topical gels contain the ingredient benzocaine, which is an anesthetic. It’s found in products like Anbesol, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase.

Benzocaine is linked to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia.

Keep in mind that good oral health isn’t important for only older children, teens, and adults. Your baby’s oral health matters too. So start brushing those pearly whites as soon as the first tooth grows in.

How do you keep their tiny, delicate teeth healthy? There really isn’t much to do at this age, but the first step is to buy an infant toothbrush that is soft and gentle. You’ll brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

And yes, it’s OK to use a fluoride toothpaste, but not too much. You only need a small grain-size amount until they’re 3 years old; then, increase to a pea-sized amount.

Brushing helps prevent tooth decay, which can occur when sugar from milk, juice, or formula remains on their teeth and damages the enamel.

Have questions about teething? Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions.

What are the first signs of teething?

The teething experience can differ for each individual baby, but some of the first signs include:

drooling
gnawing
trouble sleeping
irritability or crying
a mild increase in body temperature

Some babies also develop flushness around their cheeks or a rash. And if you breastfeed or chestfeed, teething might change the way your baby latches, or they might feed more often to soothe themselves.

How early do babies show signs of teething?

Teething typically occurs around 6 months of age. However, some babies start teething as early as 2 or 3 months. Then again, some babies teeth later and don’t cut their first tooth until 8 or 9 months (or later).

How long does teething last for babies?

The teething timeframe differs for each baby. But regardless of whether a baby starts teething at 6 months or 9 months, they typically stop teething before age 3. Some babies stop teething around 24 months, while others don’t stop until 36 months.

Do babies get sick when teething?

Even though your baby may have physical discomfort, teething doesn’t make them sick. So if your baby has a runny nose, productive cough, diarrhea, vomiting, or a high fever, these symptoms aren’t associated with teething. This could be a sign of an infection, so speak with their pediatrician.

When your baby cuts their first tooth usually says nothing about their development — as with most things baby, there’s such a wide range of totally OK. Most infants end up with a full set of baby teeth by the time they’re 3 years old, regardless of when they cut that first tooth.

But if your baby hasn’t cut a tooth by the time they’re 18 months old, talk with your dentist. Ideally, you’ve already brought your baby to a pediatric dentist by age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (and the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, too).

So if you haven’t seen a dentist yet, this would be a good time to have your sweet babe’s mouth and gums checked out.

While visiting the dentist for the first time may sound scary, remember these two things: Your baby hasn’t yet had a negative dental experience to create dread, and pediatric dentists are great at making the visit comfortable — it can even be even fun.

Once your little one does cut a tooth or two, be sure to take good care to clean around the area each day with a damp, cool washcloth or soft-bristle baby toothbrush. Before you know it, they’ll (hopefully!) be brushing their teeth on their own.