While most babies start teething when they’re about four to six months old, this doesn’t apply to every baby. Some babies are born with a tooth or two, while others reach their first birthday with no teeth at all. Occasionally, some babies start teething before they’re four months old, but that doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with them.
Regardless of when a baby starts teething, the emergence of teeth is usually accompanied by similar signs. The most common signs of teething include:
Remember that teething won’t cause serious symptoms, regardless of the baby’s age. So if a child has diarrhea or a high fever, it’s time to call the health care provider, even if they’re teething at the same time. Irritability caused by teething can be stressful for new parents who are already battling postpartum symptoms or postpartum depression. But the important thing to remember is that teething will pass, and the baby will likely feel better soon.
If a three-month-old is teething, it’s normal to wonder what that will mean for breastfeeding. When the unavoidable happens and the baby bites down on the breast, calmly unlatch them, say immediately and firmly “No,” and take a little break from nursing. It may happen several times, even before their teeth fully emerge, but it will work. Using the same words and tone each time will help them get the message.
It’s also important to make sure that the baby has latched on correctly. When they’re in a good position to breastfeed, it becomes less likely that they’ll bite while eating. Positioning the baby so that the nipple is aimed toward the roof of their mouth and the baby’s tongue is between their lower teeth and the breast is ideal for breastfeeding. Additionally, making sure to remove them from the breast immediately after they’re done nursing can help keep them from biting.
If the baby bites too frequently, consulting with a lactation consultant may help.
If a 3-month-old is teething, there are many items available that can help ease their discomfort, like teething mittens and hand teethers.
Many babies like to chew their hands while they’re teething. If a three-month-old can’t hold objects and put them in their mouth yet, a teething mitten could be the solution. The teething mitten fits over the baby’s hand, and they’ll be able to chew on it happily for hours on end, without having to hold the object itself.
Teething mittens are also great for sensory stimulation since they feature bright colors, varying textures, and a silicone surface that will soothe their symptoms.
Hand teethers are small objects that are shaped and designed specifically to soothe babies’ aching gums. As their name suggests, they are shaped like hands and filled with water or another liquid. They can be placed inside the fridge, and once cool, their temperature provides extra relief for swollen gums. Their “fingers” are perfect for babies to safely scratch every nook and cranny of their gums.
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Teething pacifiers are very similar to regular pacifiers, with a few modifications especially for teething babies. They’re made of silicone, which is more resistant to babies’ bites than other materials. They also tend to feature different textures that soothe babies’ gums while stimulating their mouths.
At the end of the day, it’s perfectly normal to have a three-month-old teething baby. While it’s a bit earlier than expected, their teething won’t have any negative effect on the rest of their development. More than likely, the baby will be done teething soon and continue their development.
