Parents are faced with a number of different questions when raising an infant child. One of the most common questions is, "Is my baby teething?"

Infants require constant attention and care. Many new parents find it all overwhelming because there seems to always be something new happening. There is a lot of information available about baby health as well as normal growth and development, but it is easy to become worried and thin that something may be wrong. One question that many parents ask is, "Is my baby teething?". While questions about common things are most frequent among first time parents, many parents with other children worry and question things as well. This is because each child grows and develops as a slightly different rate, and many babies will experience things differently from each other. Teething can be a painful experience for little ones, and it can be stressful for the parents. Knowing the signs of teething, however, can allow parents to figure out if the baby is teething or if there is something else wrong.

There have been a number of studies into the exact age when a baby should begin teething. These studies, however, have actually shown that all babies begin teething at different times. While the most common age when teething begins is between five and six months, some babies start much earlier. Since there is no set age, it is best to know the symptoms of teething which include red or swollen gums, increased drooling, chewing on things or putting things in the mouth, and crying without any other reason.

For many babies and parents alike, teething is a very difficult time. It can be painful and uncomfortable for the baby which leads to plenty of sleepless nights for parents. There are, however, several options for soothing the discomfort of teething. There are topical ointments that can be applied to the gums to soothe pain, but these should not be used constantly. For longer lasting soothing, babies should be allowed to chew on teething toys. If an actual toy designed for teething is not available, many parents have also had success with frozen waffles or wash clothes that have been moistened and frozen. The coolness soothes the gums while the chewing motion helps to allow the tooth to break through the gum line.