Re: My six-month-old is super fussy. How can I tell if it’s teething or something else? What can I do to help him?
When your little angel turns into a cranky devil, there's a good chance he's teething. Is he drooling a lot? Rubbing his mouth or ears? Trying to gnaw anything he can get his lips on? Does he have an unusual amount of diaper rash? Is he running a mild fever? (101 or less -- anything more isn't from teething and merits a call to the ped.) Run a finger along his gums to feel for hard raised bumps or sharp bits. The two front bottom teeth are usually the first to come in, followed by the two front top ones.
You can help by giving him something cool and hard to gnaw on (like a spoon or teething toy you’ve popped in the freezer). For pain relief, many parents swear by homeopathic remedies like Hyland’s Teething Tablets. Acetaminophen also helps, but check with the doctor for the right dosage. And even if your little guy shows no real evidence that teeth are about to make an appearance, feel free to use “He’s teething!” as an all-purpose excuse when he bursts into tears at the sight of your mother or tries to chomp another baby’s finger during play group.
Paula Kashtan | May 07 , 2009 4:17 PM