🩺 Health · 4–24 months
🦷 Soothing teething troubles
Teething can cause tender gums, extra drool and fussiness, although timing varies. Dad can offer comfort and check for other causes of distress: fever, diarrhoea or a clearly unwell baby should not simply be blamed on teeth.
Gear to have on hand
- An intact, age-appropriate silicone teething ring suitable for refrigeration.
- A clean, soft washcloth.
- A thermometer; ask a pediatric clinician or pharmacist before using pain medicine.
Your comfort plan
1. Offer a chilled teether
Refrigerate it according to its instructions, never freeze it. Supervise chewing and check regularly for damage.
2. Massage gently
Wash your hands and gently rub the gums with a clean finger. Stop if your baby dislikes it.
3. Care for dribbly skin
Pat the chin and neck dry rather than rubbing. Change damp clothing and remove bibs before sleep.
4. Check before giving medicine
If pain affects feeding or settling, ask your pediatric team, barangay health centre or pharmacist about treatment. Any paracetamol dose must match your baby's weight and the product concentration.
5. Recognise illness
Seek medical advice for fever, poor feeding or fewer wet diapers. A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs urgent assessment. For breathing difficulty, blue colour or floppiness, call 911.
Classic mistakes
- ❌ Freezing the teether A frozen-solid object can injure delicate gums.
- ❌ Using necklaces or numbing gels Teething necklaces risk choking and strangulation. Avoid numbing gels containing lidocaine or benzocaine, and do not rub alcohol on gums.
A local detail, or your own experience with this guide? Write to the team
Same topic
- Paternity Leave Act
- Maternity leave allocation
- Birth registration
- Family Code
- Emergency services
- Newborn screening
- Infant feeding
When in doubt, contact your doctor or midwife. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.