There are various issues that tend to occur when infants begin teething, which is why many parents dread this stage. One of the most common teething problems includes a low fever, and many parents assume that this means the infant is ill. Another issue is the fact that babies tend to chew on everything possible in order to make the discomfort go away, which can be dangerous. Additionally, most babies lose sleep due to their discomfort, damaging their normal sleep schedule and that of their parents.
It is normal for a teething baby to run a low fever during this stage of their life. Any sign of a fever often worries parents of infants, but as long as it is below 100°F (38°C), there should be no concern. On the other hand, it is not normal for it to be higher than this number, or for the fever to last very long. If it is particularly high, does not seem to go away within days, or if the infant was premature at birth, it is best to check with a pediatrician. It should also be noted that vomiting, coughing, and earaches are not usually related to teething, and should be taken care of by a doctor rather than being chalked up as normal teething problems.
Most babies spend the teething phase trying to chew on anything within reach, which is known as one of the most common teething problems. This is dangerous since small items can become lodged in their throat, but even larger items can pose a problem since they may contain bacteria. The result is often diarrhea, which should not be considered one of the normal teething problems, and should be treated by a doctor. To prevent this teething issue from getting out of hand, infants should be kept away from small objects and anything that has not been sanitized. Clean teething rings should be provided, instead.
It is not uncommon for babies to have trouble sleeping through the night once they begin teething since they are in such distress. Parents can usually keep infants from waking up throughout the night in pain by rubbing teething gel with benzocaine on the gums, which provides at least a few minutes of relief. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are usually also appropriate for the pain, allowing both parents and infants to get some sleep during this uncomfortable stage. If none of these solutions work, a pediatrician should be consulted to find a resolution to these and other teething problems. Most pediatricians' offices are happy to offer free phone consultations on such matters for their regular patients.
