Secret signs of teething

[Littlef00t]

My dd is nearly 5 months and I don't think she's teething yet, but when she chews her fingers and dribbles etc people are always saying 'aww is she teething?'. I just assumed she was being a baby.

Am I missing something and what do I need to look out for? I expect a river of drool, rosy cheeks, very grumpy baby but are there more subtle signs?

I've heard something about fussing when breastfeeding?
She doesn't take a dummy, though my friend's baby will chew on that rather than suck when teething.

Appreciate all your experiences

[BertieBotts]

Oh, everything is a sign of teething if you listen to random people. I suppose the best approach is to assume teething at all times.

[Dittomark]

DD had dodgy nappies for a few days. I think they swallow a lot of drool and it gives them a runny bum. Also can be prone to nappy rash.

She wasn't grumpy though and it didn't disrupt her sleep. Maybe I was lucky :)

[Littlef00t]

Ha Bertie!

If I assumed teething at all times every grump and grizzle would result in being dosed up to the hilt. Maybe all the interfering grannies are working for the pharmaceutical industry!

[Littlef00t]

Ditto, I can't really see how dd nappies could be much runnier but I await being proved wrong

[notaflamingclue]

According to my MIL, DD was teething at 8 weeks. Oddly, the first one didn't appear until about 4 months later.

[TheRealMaudOHara]

For DS a sign they're about to pop through is pulling on his ear and slapping the side of his head, poor bugger. He also gets runny nappies and often has a 'teething cold' so can be very snotty. Also blowing more raspberries thanks usual. Unfortunately he had the general signal of teething for months before the first one made an appearance. Good luck!

[TheRealMaudOHara]

Ps - the runny nappy thing will mean more when you start solids!

[IDontWantToBuildASnowman]

My DC1 showed signed of teething at about 10 weeks. First tooth appeared at 14 months! IMO the only real sign of teething is when the tooth starts to break through the gum. Yes the teeth may be on the move through the jaw before that point, but real teething is the break through part I think.

[BertieBotts]

I didn't dose for teething. Only if he seemed really grumpy, then I'd use one of the homeopathic powder thingies - they can't do any harm and it's only lactose sugar.

I think I gave calpol about three times in the first year? Just if he seemed to be acting differently to normal and it looked/sounded like he might be in pain, and once for a temperature.

[BertieBotts]

The teething gels are good though if they go off their milk.