How To Tell If Your 15 Week Old Baby is Teething

Teething is the process by which an infant’s teeth break through the gums, typically starting with bottom middle fangs. It usually happens around 6 months of age, but can happen anytime between 4-8 months.

It can be distressing to parents when their baby becomes irritable, fussy, or has difficulty sleeping because they’re in so much pain. Teething shouldn’t last more than two weeks at most, but it can often seem like an eternity to new parents.

I’ve put together this blog post to provide you with the most common ways to tell if your 15-week old baby is teething.

Let’s get started!

How To Tell If Your 15 Week Old Baby is Teething? 

Here are some signs that will help you know if your 15 week old baby is teething:

Your baby may have a low fever.

Babies often get a low-grade fever (under 101 degrees Fahrenheit) during the teething process. This is usually caused by inflammation in the gums as new teeth break through. If your baby’s temperature is higher than 102 degrees, you should call your doctor to rule out any other causes of the fever.

Your baby may be extra fussy.

Many babies become fussier than usual during teething. This can be due to the discomfort of new teeth coming in, as well as the fact that they’re losing sleep.

As a result, your baby may not want to eat or drink as much as they usually do, as well as cry when eating. 

Your baby’s mouth may be red and swollen.

The gums may look red, swollen, and irritated when your baby is teething. This is caused by the inflammation of the gums as new teeth come in. This sign is especially common when the upper front teeth come in. If your baby has a fever, their gums will likely be red and swollen too.

Your baby may have a rash.

Some babies get a rash on their face during teething. In other words, the rash may start on your baby’s cheeks and then spread to the chin, forehead, and nose.

This is usually caused by drooling and wetting the skin around the mouth so much.

Your baby may be drooling more than usual.

Drooling is a common symptom of teething. Drooling is caused by the saliva glands working overtime to help your baby’s teeth break through. This is also because the gums are sore and irritated, which can cause babies to drool more than usual.

If your baby is drooling a lot, you can try using a bib or a towel. You could also give them something cold and wet to chew on because this may soothe their gums.

Your baby may have difficulty sleeping.

Many babies have difficulty sleeping when they’re teething. This is because the pain from teething can keep them up at night. Plus, the gums are sore and irritated, which can make it difficult for babies to sleep through the night.

If your baby is having trouble sleeping, you can try giving them a cool bath before bedtime or putting a cold washcloth on their forehead.

Your baby may be chewing on their hands more than usual.

Some babies like to chew on things when they’re teething because the gums are sore and irritated. This can include their own fingers or anything else nearby, such as toys or blankets!

If your baby is chewing on their hands a lot, you can try giving them a teething ring or toy to chew on.

Your baby may have difficulty eating.

Some babies have difficulty eating when they’re teething because the gums are sore and irritated. This can include difficulty sucking from a bottle or nursing from mommy.

If your baby has difficulty eating, you can try giving them smaller meals more often. You could also give them a cold teething toy to chew on as this may soothe their gums and make it easier for them to eat.

How to soothe a teething baby?

Babies are not born with teeth, they start growing them around six months of age. For some babies, this is a very painful process. The good news is that there are many ways to soothe your teething baby. In this section of the blog post, I will discuss multiple solutions.

Give Your Baby a Cold Spoon

The first solution is to give your baby a cold spoon. This will soothe his/her gums by reducing the inflammation and pain that come with teething. You can also try giving him or her frozen breast milk popsicles, ice cubes, etc. 

For this method to be effective you should leave the cold spoon in the freezer for a couple of hours before use.

Use Teething Rings and Toys to Soothe Your Baby’s Gums 

The second solution is to try teething rings and toys. These will help your baby divert his/her attention from the discomfort that comes with teeth breaking through gums. Teething rings are safe to chew on and they will help your baby relieve some pain as well. 

Use Your Baby’s Favorite Chewing Toy

The third solution is to use his/her favorite chewing toy, for example, a stuffed animal or blanket that he loves playing with. This method might not work if your baby doesn’t have a favorite toy, but it’s definitely worth trying. 

Give Your Baby Cold Food or Drink 

The fourth solution is to give your baby something cold to eat or drink. This will work best if you freeze the food in advance and serve it at room temperature instead of serving straight from the refrigerator. You can also give your baby cold water to drink. 

Massage Your Baby’s Gums 

The fifth solution is to massage your baby’s gums. This will help relieve some of the pain and inflammation. You can use a clean finger or a toothbrush (soft bristles). If you are using your finger, make sure it is clean. If you are using a toothbrush, make sure it is brand new and has not been used by anyone else before. 

Give Your Baby Painkillers 

The sixth solution is to give your baby pain relief medication prescribed by his doctor. You can also use an over-the-counter medicine if the doctor approves or advises so. 

Some of the most common painkillers used for teething babies are ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Always consult your doctor before giving any medication to your baby. 

Apply a Teething Gel or Ointment 

The seventh solution is to apply a gel or ointment specifically designed to soothe teething babies. These products are available at most drugstores and they come in different forms such as gels, ointments, liquids, etc. Make sure you read the instructions on the label carefully before using them. 

Use a Salt Water Solution 

The eighth solution is to use a saltwater solution. This will help soothe the inflammation and pain by reducing it. You can buy or make your own saltwater mixture at home, but you should never give this type of medication without consulting with your doctor first as it might not be safe for all children.

You may also want to check this detailed guide on the best developmentally appropriate toys for infants and toddlers. 

Final Words

It’s normal to be worried about your child when they’re teething, but it’s important not to let that fear cloud your judgment.

In the end, if your baby is teething and you’re unsure of what to do next, seek advice from a medical professional. There may be more going on than just teeth coming in. If this article has been helpful for you or someone else (or both!), please share it with others who could benefit!