Does your baby have fever? Has your little one been refusing to eat and has been chewing the toys and his/her fist? If so, there is a high probability that teething has begun and that is what’s causing the baby discomfort, pain, and fever.
Teething in babies occurs usually when they are about six to nine months old. Sometimes it so happens that during the four or fifth month, parents confuse some actions of their babies. Actions such as drooling and sucking on their hands are not always to be considered as a sign of teething even though it is possible for babies as young as 4 months old to develop teeth. Many parents get worried when there is fever with teething, though many believe it’s a natural part of the process.
Is the Fever due to Teething?
Pediatricians have a difference of opinion over whether fever and teething are interrelated or not. This fever may be a possibility, but it is always a low-grade fever, in case it turns into a high grade fever then get your baby checked by the doctor as the reason behind the fever could be an infection as well. The fever usually lasts for a day or two and disappears as soon as the teeth sprout.
A high fever, of around 101 degrees Fahrenheit or more, is an unlikely as well as an unwanted possibility. Consulting your pediatrician should be of utmost priority, as your toddler’s teething may not have any connection to his/her fever. Another major reason of the occurrence of fever could be the common phenomenon of ear infections in infants.
Teething Symptoms
- Refusing Food – Babies usually refuse semisolid foods during this period, as they are just too irritated to eat. Giving your baby soft biscuits will ensure that the child eats something nutritious during this period.
- Increased Gum Sensitivity and Swelling – Check your baby’s mouth by tracing the gum with your finger. If there is swelling then apply gentle pressure over the baby’s gums. This will relieve some of the pain the baby is feeling. You may try some teething remedies, in order to help your little one feel better.
- Showing Irritability and Crying – Even though the baby’s diapers are dry and you can’t seem to find anything wrong with the baby’s general well-being.
- Constantly Drooling – More so than before and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Drooling is a natural instinct that babies have in order to reduce the pain in their gums, as the saliva helps relieving the pain. Also, they do it hoping spiting out the drool will make the pain go away.
- Mild Facial Rashes around the Mouth – This is due to the excess secretion of saliva in the baby’s mouth. The mouth remaining constantly wet and the baby constantly rubbing at his mouth causes the rashes.
- Having Trouble Sleeping – You may have noticed if your baby who usually sleeps well at night is suddenly not being able to do so. If the baby wakes up often during the night and cannot go back to sleep or wakes up crying then it’s a matter of a few days before the first teeth sprouts.
- Pulling the Ear Often – Babies tend to pull at their ear, because the ache in the mouth spreads to the head and ears, causing a lot of irritation. They pull at their ears trying to relieve their pain, because they think the pain is in their ears. Keeping a look out for a possible ear infection as well because one can never be too sure.
- Wanting to Nibble at Things – If the baby constantly bites or nibbles at toys and other items, then it is a sure shot sign of teething, as the biting action helps apply pressure on the gums and temporarily gives the baby some relief.
- Upset Stomach – Most babies come down with diarrhea during this time, because the baby feels stressed, irritated and is not able to eat well during this time.
By and large, a minor fever during teething is common among babies and toddlers, as it’s the display of their immune system resisting and reacting to the pain. Since babies do not have a well-developed immune system they are not very strong, therefore keeping a vigilant check on their temperature is advised. While some babies do not show any of these symptoms during teething, some babies do. Chew toys such as a chew ring and pacifier will greatly reduce the discomfort.
