Teething Explained: Your Go-To Guide for What to Expect, What Helps, and Supporting You and Your Baby Through It

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Teething Explained

By Katherine · Paediatric Nurse, Health Visitor & Maternal Wellbeing Practitioner · Baby Steps

Teething Explained: Your Go-To Guide for What to Expect, What Helps, and Supporting You and Your Baby Through It

Teething Explained:

After years working as a Paediatric Nurse and Health Visitor, I remember when my eldest daughter, Isabella, started teething.  I was genuinely taken aback by just how uncomfortable she seemed. Even with all my experience, it still felt like a rollercoaster!!

Since then, I’ve always made a point of sharing practical, calming tips with parents to help them navigate this stage with more confidence and less stress.

Teething often happens alongside weaning, which can make feeding feel unpredictable - and this is where cool, soothing foods can become real little heroes in your toolkit.

Babies go on to develop 20 teeth in total, with most having arrived by around 2–3 years of age.

This guide is here to help you understand what’s happening, what to expect, and how to gently support your baby through it all.

So what is actually happening when babies teethe?

Teething happens when teeth move through the gum to erupt into the mouth.

During this process:

• The gums become swollen and inflamed

• Pressure builds underneath the surface (hence why they chew on their hands and toys non stop!)

• Nerve endings become more sensitive

• Saliva production increases significantly

  
  

This combination is what leads to the classic teething behaviours - chewing, dribbling, irritability and disrupted sleep.

It often starts weeks, if not months before you see a tooth appear, which is why parents are often caught off guard.  Isabella showed signs of drooling, red cheeks, chomping on everything around 3 months and her first tooth appeared at 8 months! 

When does teething start and how long does it last?!

Every baby is different, but generally:

• First teeth appear around 6–10 months (sometimes earlier or later)

• Teething can begin as early as 3–4 months

• It continues in phases until around 2.5–3 years old

Each tooth may cause symptoms:

• A few days before eruption

• Sometimes up to a week (especially if multiple teeth are moving at once)

Why teething feels so uncomfortable

Teething discomfort is caused by:

• Pressure pushing through sensitive gum tissue

• Local inflammation

• Increased saliva irritating skin

• Heightened oral sensitivity

Babies can’t explain this discomfort - so we see it in their behaviour, feeding and unfortunately sleep!!  Often it can be hard to know why they are uncomfortable as they can’t tell us.  How much babies are affected massively varies.  I felt like I was pacing and cuddling at night with every tooth but one of the babies in my NCT group just seemed to have them quietly pop through! 

Common signs your baby is teething

Mouth & sensory signs

• Chewing on hands, toys, clothes, anything available

• Excessive drooling

• Swollen, red or shiny gums

• Biting during feeds or refusing spoon/finger foods

Behaviour changes

• Clinginess and wanting more comfort

• Shorter naps or disrupted sleep

• Frequent night waking

• Irritability or being “not quite themselves”

Feeding changes

• Reduced appetite for solids

• Preferring milk feeds for comfort

• Food refusal or pushing away textures

• Wanting to feed little and often

Physical signs

• Red cheeks (can be one-sided depending on where the inflammation is)

• Drool rash around chin, neck or chest - which can lead to sore skin especially in the winter months with wet skin in the cold air

• Nappy rash flare-ups

• Mild temperature increase

The big one parents don’t expect: feeding changes

One of the most common concerns I see in my work and remember with my babies, is sudden feeding disruption.

During teething:

• Babies often don’t want warm meals 

• They prefer cool, soft, soothing textures 

• Appetite for solids can drop suddenly

Even in winter, even in freezing February,  babies may reject hot food when gums are inflamed.

This is not fussiness. It is comfort-seeking.

Cooling soothing foods (your expert toolkit)

This is where simple changes can make a huge difference.

Think: cool, soft, hydrating, easy to manage.

Fresh fridge foods (instant relief)

• Cucumber batons straight from the fridge

• Melon wedges or watermelon fingers

• Chilled bread

• Chilled soft ripe pear or peach or any vegetable batons/ crudite

• Avocado slices cooled in the fridge

• Cold cooked pasta spirals

Yoghurt-based soothing foods (a key staple)

Yoghurt is one of the most effective teething foods because it is:

• Cooling

• Soft

• Easy to swallow

• Soothing on inflamed gums

Try:

• Full-fat natural yoghurt on its own

• Greek yoghurt for thicker texture

• Yoghurt dips for fruit or veg

• Mixing yoghurt into mashed vegetables

• Stirring into pasta sauces or lentils

💡 I often remind parents there are no rules here - even adding yoghurt into meals like mashed veg or shepherd’s pie can help cool and soften everything for a teething baby.  Yoghurt is used in savoury food in many cultures. 

Chilled comfort foods

• Chilled bread fingers or toast strips

• Soft cheese on cold toast

• Rice cakes from the fridge

• Cold cooked veg sticks (carrot, courgette, sweet potato)

Homemade teething lollies (brilliant for sore gums)

Freeze into moulds:

• Coconut milk + banana

• Yoghurt + berries

• Mango + yoghurt

• Stewed apple 

• Add in Veg to any of the above, e.g. kale, spinach,carrot, sweet potato, mixed with yoghurt or coconut milk and fruit

These are especially helpful in warm weather but work all year round.

Extra soothing tools

Chilled muslins

• Keep a clean muslin in the fridge

• Safe for chewing and gum pressure

• Very calming for babies

Cool water

• Small sips of cool water from an open cup, helps soothe gums - tap water from 6 months

• Supports hydration during drooling

• Useful alongside feeds and snacks

Chilled teething toys 

• Put your little one’s teething toys into the fridge for extra effect

Teething aids 

• Teething gels can be more effective when kept in the fridge

• Homeopathic teething granules can offer a soft dulling effect in their mouth

 Nights can be the hardest part

Teething often peaks overnight especially as they are not distracted by the things around them and the tips I have shared to soothe and distract them.  

You may have tried:

• Cuddles

• Feeding

• Teethers

• Settling routines

…but your baby is still waking up distressed.

This is often when parents feel most overwhelmed.

When soothing isn’t enough (night-time support)

There are times during teething - particularly overnight - when comfort measures alone aren’t enough.

In these moments, some parents choose to use infant pain relief such as Calpol (paracetamol) or Nurofen (ibuprofen), when appropriate for age and weight and used according to product guidance.  Ibuprofen can have the edge as it is an anti-inflammatory.  As always seek medical advice with any queries.  

These can help:

• Reduce inflammation

• Ease discomfort

• Support more settled sleep during peak teething phases

They are not needed every night, but can be a helpful short-term support when your baby is genuinely struggling to settle.

As always, seek medical advice if you are unsure or concerned.

Skin, drool & irritation

Teething saliva can cause:

• Chin and neck irritation

• Chest rash

• Nappy rash flare-ups

Helpful support:

• Gentle patting (not rubbing)

• Frequent bib changes

• A balm such as Neals Yard Remedies Baby Balm is perfect to protect and heal the skin. Apply to the face, chin and chest, when your baby is fast asleep so it has a chance to sink in.  It is no problem if they get it on their hands but it is good for the balm to have a chance to sink in while they are sleeping.

• Regular nappy-free time

Nappy-free time (a massive parentin win-win!!)

This is one of my favourite practical tips and has been really popular on social media.  I found it by accident with my daughter - I took her nappy off towards the end of the day, with her on an old towel under an activity mat.  She LOVED it.  She loved the freedom of being able to move around more easily. It became part of our day, towards the end of the time when it wasn’t quite bathtime and I was tired and it gave me a window of hands-free time - yay!!!!!

It:

• Helps irritated skin recover

• Gives baby movement freedom

• Encourages sensory development

• Often improves mood and comfort

Supporting development during teething

When unsettled, distraction is key!!! 

• Anything they can chew on - the cool soothing foods are the heroes and the king is cucumber batons!!! Teething toys they can hold and chew on - remember to keep in the fridge.  One of my favourite is this one 

• Activity mats for movement and exploration

• Soft sensory toys

• Short tummy time if tolerated - please don’t worry if your baby doesn’t like tummy time.  So babies don’t like being on their front especially as they are gaining more head control.  Both my babies didn’t like it for a long while and are now teenagers walking, running and climbing with no problems!! 

• Mirror play for distraction

Early dental care: building healthy habits from the very first tooth

When your baby’s first tooth appears, it’s a lovely milestone - and also the perfect moment to gently introduce early dental care habits.

At this stage, it’s not about perfect brushing. It’s about familiarity, routine, and making it part of everyday life.

What to start doing when the first tooth appears

• Introduce a soft baby toothbrush

• Use a smear of age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste

• Brush twice a day (morning and before bed)

• Keep it gentle, fun and part of the routine

💡 Think of it as “getting used to it”, not perfect cleaning at this stage.

Why early dental habits really matter

In the UK, the most common reasons for hospital admission in childhood is dental extraction due to tooth decay, often linked to sugar intake and inconsistent oral hygiene in the early years.

This is why early prevention is so important - long before toddler independence kicks in.

Dentist visits: don’t wait too long

• Once your baby has a couple of teeth, seek advice from a dentist

• Aim to register them early rather than waiting until toddler age

• Early visits help normalise the environment before anxiety or resistance develops

Many parents are surprised, but waiting until they are older can make appointments much harder.

Why early exposure helps later on

By the time children reach toddler age, many will:

• Refuse to sit in the dental chair

• Resist opening their mouth

• Become anxious or uncooperative with examination

Early, gentle exposure helps prevent this by making the dentist feel familiar rather than frightening.

The goal: calm, consistent habits

• Make brushing part of the daily routine early on

• Keep it calm, predictable and consistent

• Let them hold the toothbrush and be involved

• Build positive associations rather than battles

Final dental hygiene thought

Establishing good dental habits early is one of the simplest but most powerful ways to protect your child’s long-term health.

It’s about consistency, familiarity, and starting before it becomes a struggle

Final reassurance

Teething can feel intense because it affects everything at once: sleep, feeding, mood and routine.

But it is temporary.  This phase will pass.

If your baby is:

• Chewing constantly

• Drooling

• Off solids but still feeding

• More unsettled than usual

They are very likely teething.

And you are not expected to “fix it” - only to support, soothe and simplify.

If you need more support…

If you’re finding feeding changes, teething symptoms, or weaning transitions overwhelming, you don’t have to navigate it alone. 

My Weaning Without Worry Workshop is designed to help you feel calm, confident and prepared for the whole early feeding journey - including teething advice:

• Safe introduction to solids

• Understanding gagging vs choking

• Essential baby first aid

• How teething impacts feeding and appetite

• Building confidence at mealtimes

Or, if you prefer tailored support, I offer 1:1 appointments at any stage - whether you’re starting weaning, in the middle of it, or navigating feeding changes linked to teething and just want calm, expert guidance specific to your baby.

Sometimes having an experienced, reassuring voice alongside you makes all the difference.

Here with you every step of the way,

Katherine

07796 942771

katherine@baby-steps.co.uk

Written by Katherine

Paediatric Nurse · Health Visitor · Maternal Wellbeing Practitioner · Mum of Two

With over 30 years of experience supporting babies and families, Katherine founded Baby Steps in 2006 to give parents the calm, expert, personalised Weaning support that stretched NHS services can no longer provide. Katherine works with families online and in person from her peaceful woodland studio - and genuinely loves every minute of it.