Teething

The short definition

Teething is when a baby's teeth start to push through the gum, which is uncomfortable for some babies.

What it actually means

Babies are born with a full set of 20 baby teeth already in their gums. Teething is those teeth coming through, not growing.

For most babies the first one appears between 6 and 10 months. Some are as early as 3 months and some not until about 12 months. Most children have all 20 by about 3 years old.

They can arrive in any order, though the bottom front teeth are often first.

Where Dadda will hear it

From everyone, about everything. Teething gets blamed for every unsettled night in the second half of the first year, usually before anyone has looked in bub's mouth.

He will also hear it in the shop, attached to a shelf of gels and amber beads. Both are on the list of things to avoid.

Not to be confused with

Teething, and bub being unwell. Teething is not usually associated with illness. The things people pin on teething may be teething, or may just be development.

That is worth knowing because it is the reason the gels are not the answer.

It is not a reason to work out what is going on yourself. That is a conversation with a doctor or a child health nurse, which is what the line below means.

Also look at

• Read the full item: teething gear
• The full item: dummy