When Your Baby Starts Teething
When do babies start teething?
Many Sleep Experts as well as Pediatricians disagree about whether teething actually causes symptoms -- like the baby becoming fussy, diarrhea, and getting a fever. Teething may or may not be related to these common symptoms or it is possible just coincidentally appear at the same time as emerging teeth. Regardless, many parents maintain that their teething babies do experience pain. Although quite a few babies get through the teething phase with no problems at all.
Common symptoms of teeting may include: Drooling (which can lead to a facial rash) Gum sensitivity and swelling. Irritability or fussiness when eating or sleeping Biting behavior when nursing Refusing food or refusing to nurse Sleep problems including waking up many times during the night
Though many parents report that their babies have loose bowel movements, runny noses, or perhaps even a slight fever just before a new tooth arrives, most experts don't think teething is to blame for these symptoms. Another common problem is when you can' get your baby to sleep through the night. One who does is the respected Dr. William Sears, who is a pediatrician and author of "The Baby Book" which is beloved resource by many new parents.
Sears believes that teething can cause irregular bowel movements such as diarrhea and a mild diaper rash because your baby's excessive saliva that comes from drooling ends up in his gut and loosens his bowel movements. Inflammation and sweeling in the gums, he thinks, may cause a low fever (under 100 degrees).
Another school of thought is from respected child development experts such as Penelope Leach. She asserts that teething cannot cause fever, diarrhea, throwing up, or loss of appetite. She asserts that these are signs of sickness that should be checked out by your pediatrician. Esteemed pediatrician Berry Brazelton says such illness symptoms are probably due to an infection unrelated to teething. The stress associated with teething could make your child more vulnerable to iillness right before a new tooth comes along.
The one thing most pediatrician and teeting experts agree on is that you should call your baby's pediatrician if your child has symptoms that worry you or a temperature of 101 degrees or higher (100.4 degrees or higher for babies younger than 3 months since they are even more vulnerable). The doctor can help determine whether your baby is showing signs of a problem that needs medical attention, like an ear infection. If your baby has loose stools -- but not diarrhea -- don't worry. The condition will clear up on its own.
About the Author
Jennifer Sleep is a child health and wellness expert. For more information visit her website at http://giftofsleepconsulting.com/
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