How do you know when your baby is teething?

Teething symptoms: The first tooth usually breaks through when a baby is 6 months old; some babies are born with teeth, some do not get any teeth until they are 12 months, and that is totally normal. Some babies have no symptoms when teething, and others may be fussy, have a sleeping disturbance or put their fingers in their mouths or bite on objects for a few days to a week before the tooth breaks through.

Teething: Most babies begin drooling and "gumming' between 2-4 months, however, the teeth may not erupt until much later. When you see the gums bulging along the edge, then you can assume the teeth are beginning to erupt.

Many signs: Fussy, drooling, sometimes fever of less than 100.5, sometimes loose stools because of so much saliva, child wants to put everything into mouth. Gums may look a bit swollen. Can happen many times over a few months until teeth actually erupt (bottom front first). When top of gum ridge looks like white bulge, probably tooth trying to erupt. Cold teethers help. See pediatric dentist for 1st cm-up.