Mary Herries, RN, Answer Line nurse for St. Louis Children’s Hospital, addresses some of the most common questions parents ask concerning their children and teething.
Parent: My daughter is 3 months old and drools all the time. Does this mean she is teething?
Herries: While drooling is a normal developmental stage of infancy, excessive drooling can be a sign that your little one might be teething.
Parent: Can teething cause my baby to develop a fever?
Herries: Teething does not cause fever, diarrhea or diaper rash. Babies may develop these symptoms while teething because they tend to put more things in their mouths for comfort. This exposes them to more germs.
Parent: My 9-month-old son is teething and won’t stop crying. What can I do to relieve his pain?
Herries: As a sharp little tooth comes closer to the surface, your baby’s gums might become increasingly sore and sensitive. To calm your baby’s fussiness, use a clean finger to gently massage the swollen gums for about two minutes at a time. If the pain doesn’t subside, give your child a mild pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen that is labeled for his or her specific age. Teething gels are not recommended since they can pose choking hazards if swallowed.
If you have a question about your child’s health that you would like answered, call the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Answer Line at 314.454.KIDS (5437) or toll-free 800.678.KIDS.