Baby Teething: Signs, Symptoms and Relief

What is teething?

Teething happens when your baby’s teeth start pushing through the gums, which can lead to inflammation – that is, their gums becoming red, sore, and painful. This process takes around 8 days per tooth about 4 days before the tooth comes out and 4 days after.¹

There are no set rules to this. When it comes to teething, babies experience the process in different ways. A good way to prepare for this phase in your baby’s growth is to know the signs when you see them.

Teething signs and symptoms

How do you tell if a baby is teething? Is a teething rash on cheeks normal? Many parents can feel confused about what the symptoms of teething in babies are.

In a survey of parents around the world conducted by Nurofen for Children^†, parents responded that:^1,2

● Most babies start to experience teething pain between 4 and 12 months
● Teething pain typically lasts anywhere from 1 week to 4 months
● The top 2 most common symptoms are restless sleep and red & swollen gums
● When teething, over half of babies experience pain at least once a day
● Most parents describe their child’s teething pain as ‘moderate’

†Online survey of n=1,357 parents with children under 2 years old experiencing teething pain, conducted in June 2017 across 5 markets (United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Russia and Germany).

You won’t always be able to see your baby’s tooth appearing, and you might only be able to feel a bump. Sometimes teeth may emerge with no discomfort – but this is not always the case.

Here are some questions to consider that can help you understand if your child is showing signs of teething:

Your child may experience one or more of these symptoms when they are teething. Always seek medical advice if you are concerned about your baby’s symptoms for any reason.

The teething process

The timing of teething is different between every child. One baby might start teething at 4 months, while another may not start till 12 months. Most children will have all their primary or “milk” teeth by the time they are 3 years old.^3,4

Every baby is different, but here’s a rough order of how baby teeth emerge:^3,4

How to relieve teething discomfort

When you see teething signs, knowing how to help relieve any discomfort can help make it less stressful for you and your baby. Remember that different comforts help different babies, and, through trial and error, you can find what works for your baby.

Some things to try include:

Why Nurofen for Children can help

Nurofen for Children contains ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory which helps relieve pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen can be given to babies aged 3 months and older weighing 6 kg and up, to help reduce inflammation associated with teething and provide teething pain relief.

Aside from relieving teething pain, Nurofen for Children oral suspension provides up to 8 hours of teething pain and fever relief^5-8 and can be taken on empty tummies. It’s available in either strawberry or orange flavours, and is colour free and sugar free.

Tips for protecting your child’s teeth

Caring for your baby’s teeth is important. Healthy teeth allow them to chew food and speak properly, and also helps ensure their future adult teeth have plenty of room to grow.

Here are some ways you can help take care of your baby’s teeth and develop good oral hygiene habits:

Baby teething toys: options for soothing discomfort

For a teething baby, you might be thinking what types of strategies you can use to find some comfort for your little one - especially if they seem to be distressed from the baby teething process. There are some baby teething toys that might help soothe any discomfort they may be feeling. In particular, you can try a chilled teething ring, which can provide a distraction and some relief due to pressure and coolness. Another option for a teething baby may simply be a dummy or pacifier, this might also offer temporary relief and settle restlessness. If you use a dummy as a baby teething option, it is best not to add anything sweet as this might cause tooth decay. It’s also very important not to use things like amber necklaces or any other necklaces that might cause strangulation or come apart and present choking hazards.

Baby teething remedies: home and medical solutions

When going through the baby teething years, there are several at-home baby teething remedies and medicinal pain relief options you can try. Just remember, whichever option(s) you choose, always supervise your baby and/or speak with your doctor or pharmacist when unsure. One option you can try are sugar free rusks for gnawing on, or another option is gently applying a clean finger to massage the gum surface or using a cold compress.  For your teething baby, you can also try a peeled cucumber or even a frozen carrot (large enough so they cannot swallow it).  For medicinal options, it's generally recommended to avoid using teething gels due to the risk of adverse effects and limited evidence for their effectiveness.⁹  If you think your teething baby is in a lot of pain, you should see your doctor as they can rule out any other issues and provide advice on a pain relief medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. 

How to soothe a teething baby at night: practical tips

A teething baby might also experience more sleep disturbances during the night. So when up at night trying to soothe a teething baby, you might be thinking whether you are doing everything possible to help them? Before looking at some options, it’s important to remember that not all sleep disturbances may be related to teething, and if you suspect something else speak with your doctor.

Some non-medicinal strategies for a teething baby at night may include keeping them comfortable, and ensuring their nappies are clean and not soiled.  Using your usual cues and routines that normally work to get them back to sleep are also an option.  Cuddle therapy and gentle rocking in moderation might also help, as well as gentle singing and placing your baby down where they usually sleep.

If non-medicinal options aren’t working to soothe a teething baby at night, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist about pain relief medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. These medications are intended for short use to help relieve pain and fever.

Understanding drooling and teething

One experience parents commonly report for a teething baby is drooling. It is thought drooling occurs during the teething process due to agitation in the oral cavity, causing irritation and redness of the gums.  If you find your teething baby is drooling, simply wipe the drool away with a soft cloth whenever it appears. This is very important as drool might cause skin irritation around the mouth and chin area.

If you are concerned about your baby’s drooling in any way, see a doctor for advice.

Teething and feeding: changes in eating habits

Your teething baby might change their habits when it comes to food. They may display a preference for one thing over another, or start trying to nibble on whatever they can reach. There are several things to try if they are being a fussy eater, such as mashing up their favourite food or pureeing it.  You can also try offering a peeled cucumber, frozen fruit, carrots or even sugar free husks to gnaw on.

Prior to breastfeeding or bottle feeding, you can gently rub their gums or use a cold compress to try and relax your teething baby and then try feeding. If at any stage you are struggling with feeding, it’s very important to see a doctor for advice.

Teething and sleep: the impact on your baby's sleep pattern

Sleep disturbances may be one of the challenges that can be experienced with a teething baby.  If you experience this, there are both medicinal or non-medicinal options you can try to help soothe your teething baby at night.

Non-medicinal options may include some of the usual strategies such as gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger, a cold compress and wiping away any drool so it doesn’t cause irritation and further discomfort. Try also keeping a regular sleep routine, as this might help your teething baby stay a little more settled throughout the night.

If these strategies aren’t providing enough relief, you can try pain-relieving medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Remember, you know your baby best, and you can try these options to see what works for your teething baby to help settle them back to sleep. Yet if you are seeing any other symptoms of concern, or you are feeling fatigued from a lack of sleep, it is very important to see your doctor for advice and guidance.

This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. Do not use if your child has a stomach ulcer. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. 
NUROFEN® is a registered trademark of the Reckitt Benckiser Group of Companies. Level 1, 2 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna, Auckland. 0800 40 30 30. Prepared December 2024. RKT-M-33891. TAPS NP22037.