Getting teeth is a nasty business.

That title is 100% true, and any mother/childcare-giver will tell you so!

When a little one is teething, they just aren't quite themselves.

Even the most angelic babies can become quite unruly.

Granted, there are always a few exceptions.

In most every case, here is what happens:

Once a baby's body recognizes that it needs to focus on teeth, 

the rest of their systems slack off a little bit.

They may exhibit certain symptoms while they're beginning to grow teeth, others when they are actually cutting teeth (when the teeth first physically poke through the gums), and while the teeth grow all the way in.

The first signs you will see are usually

•Diaper rash

•Runny nose

•General fussiness

-these will come with almost zero warning, and when they do, prepare yourself with the teething essentials, which I will outline later. 

As things progress, the next symptoms are

•Interrupted sleep and eating patterns

•Elevated body temperature/fever

•Increased/unusual fussiness

-these ones usually come with the cutting of teeth, which is by far the worst stage. Baby won't want to nap, play, eat, or do many of their normal things. They mostly want to cry and be held. Not every baby will experience an actual fever, but they almost always run a slight to moderately high temperature. In some cases, you will need to call a doctor if their temperature reaches or exceeds 100ºf, to get a recommendation of if/when/at what temperature to take your little one to urgent care. Again, this is only in some cases, so don't freak out at the first little increase in temp. 

After the cutting is over, things will return to normal. You may continue to see minor fussiness, receding diaper rash, etc. All will eventually be right with the world.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, there are teething essentials that you will want to have.

This list is gold, people. Tried and tested teething secret weapons.

Here it is:

•Baby Orajel

OR

•Teething Tablets

•Humidifier
-Something most people have already. Break it out if they get a runny nose.

•Teething Toys
-Go ahead and refrigerate and teething toys you have, so they'll soothe the gums

•Baby Tylenol
-For if they get a fever

•Pacifiers
-If they'll take them, you need to make sure you have one or more at all times during teething, so you don't go insane from all the fussing and crying


Most importantly, just keep a level head, and give your little all the love and cuddles they need.
Best of luck.

Thanks for reading!
Alex,
The Knowledgeable Nanny