Could My 3-Month Old Be Teething?

Updated on April 14, 2008
A.H. asks from Bronx, NY
43 answers

Hello Ladies... I have a daughter turning 3 months on Tuesday. Within the past two or three days, she has been crying more often (and isn't as easy to console as she normally is), drooling more often, and sticking her fist in her mouth and chewing on it. Could this mean she's teething? I thought this process wouldn't start for another few months. Thanks for your help.

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So What Happened?

Well, thank you to everyone who responded - no one in my immediate circle has kids (or has an opinion I would trust - haha), and my mother-in-law said she couldnt remember what happened with her kids....I got stocked up on some teething products if necessary, and am getting used to the slurping sound of my daughter's hand in her mouth. Thanks again for your help! A.

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L.N.

answers from New York on

Teething can happen anywhere from 2 months (sooner in rare cases) and not begin in some as late as 1 yr. I have a 10 month old and he has 8 teeth and is cutting his 1 yr molars.

I am a dental hygienist and know the process makes no sense, but each child is different, and while teething can start so early you may not see a sign of a tooth for months. Hope I was of some help.

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J.D.

answers from New York on

A.,
Yes she can be teething. I also have a three month old (16 weeks tomorrow) and she started teething about two weeks ago. You still, most likely, won't be able to see her teeth come in for another two-three months. I went to a mom's luncheon where there was a pediatric dentist and she said it can start at three months and what you're describing are symtoms... so, good luck! I'm with you!

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M.M.

answers from Jamestown on

my baby girl started exactly like this about 2 months old...and yes it was definitly teething. They may not actually break through with teeth though for a few months...yet she may just pop one through any day. Goodluck!

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L.M.

answers from New York on

Yes. Definitely. A lot of children get their first tooth at 4 months. Drooling is a good sign. Remember it takes time for the teeth to pop through.

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S.T.

answers from Albany on

Hi, A.. Your three month old may be teething because that happened to all three of my boys. In fact, my oldest was teething before then and he had his first set of teeth by 3 months old believe it or not. Also, if that is the case, get Teething Tablets and they are great. If you don't mind me saying, but Orejal or however you spell it, is junk and has chemicals in it. Teething Tablets are homeopathic and will soothe your baby's gums. Congratulations in your baby girl and enjoy that joys of parenthood!!!
God bless!!!

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S.O.

answers from New York on

Hi A.
It could definitely be teething. I have 18 month fraternal twin boys. My one boy got his first tooth at 3 months and the other one got his first at 7 months so you never know. They say its heriditary from the parents when babies get teeth, but who really knows!?
S.

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S.F.

answers from New York on

Hey,A.!
Yes, its one-hundred percent normal. I do not have any children but I know this because i have a lot of siblings, and I therefore have quite a lot of nieces and nephews. I have a nephew that is, also, 3 months old ans is teething... we already see a tiny tooth coming in!
Enjoy your new baby!

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Q.F.

answers from New York on

yes, absolutely she could be teething (or at least starting to). my daughter started getting her 2 front teeth in at 3 months, but they didn't actually break through the gums until about 4 1/2-5 months (though the whole time you could see the white of the teeth showing through the gums!). her ped. told me to give her some tylonol to ease the pain at night IF it kept her up at night (which from time to time it did). i started giving her (once the teeth actually started coming through the gums) something that had all natural stuff in it...i think it was called natural something. just go in the supermarket (i think i was in pathmark) and look near the baby teething meds (like baby ambesol) if i remember correctly it has a picture of baby winnie the pooh biting baby eeyore on the ear (lol). but it was supposed to be better then things like tylonol and such that won't work as much after using too often. and when i gave it to her she would go to sleep w/in 10-30 min of taking it (i tried to only give it to her around nap/bed time). congrats on the new lil one and good luck with the teething. once her 1st 2 came in i only had a short time until the bottom 4 came in (all at once) then another 2 on top, then all 4 of the eye teeth (i think that's what they're called, i call them the "fangs") and then all 4 of her 1st set of molars....by about 14 months she was done with all her teeth (until the rest of the molars come in...but i think i see another molar starting now at age 2). again, good luck.

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A.S.

answers from New York on

She definitely could be teething. It takes quite a while for those razor-like baby teeth to move all the way up to the surface. I also highly recommend Hyland's Teething Tablets. You can get them at a health food store, but I've also found them at CVS. They are small tablets that dissolve instantly on the tongue. We used them for about age 3 months on. When my son cut his 2 year old molars he asked for them, and told me they helped. Good luck!

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M.B.

answers from New York on

She certainly could be getting teeth, especially if she is really agitated. Both of my kids had their hands in their mouths starting at 2 1/2 months and my daughter didn't get teeth until she was 9 months old. My son still doesn't have any (he's six months old).

But my doctor told me that at about 3 months they start discovering their tongue and part of the "everything goes in the mouth" is feeling things against their tongue. She said this is the beginning of their verbal skill development - and often coincides with them discovering their voice and talking a lot more. Same thing with the drooling - if their hands are in their mouth, it will usually stimulate the drooling. So she said it is not always about teething (but certainly can be that as well).

Hope that helps and good luck. I'm a fan of the tablets as well - my daughter was really pleasant while getting all of her teeth as long as I gave her the tablets once or twice a day during the difficult times.

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N.C.

answers from New York on

A.,

please let me know what people say to you. i am dealing with the same issue except the crying part. my son is a little over 2 months (and actually the nurse at my doctors office did say it was possible that he could be teeting; i think they start at 3 months) and he constantly puts his fist in his mouth, or licks his wrist, his lips, etc. i just put the pacifier in his mouth and he is fine with that.

he hasn't really started crying for being in pain (teeth coming in), so let me know what you find out.

thanks.
nikki

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L.W.

answers from Albany on

Hi A.. Absolutely she can be teething! My oldest (now a 14 year old 5'9" young man) had his first two teeth at 3 months and by 6 months had 6 teeth! My two daughters after him had similar experiences with my son having all of his teeth in, including second molars, by 19 months of age. The best relief I found for all of them (besides Orajel when it got bad) was a cold washcloth to chew on. My youngest found relief by chewing on her crib though!!! She stripped all four posts by age 2. Good luck!

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L.T.

answers from Hartford on

Absolutely! I had the same experience with my 3rd when he was 3 1/2 mo. Thought he had an ear infection and took him to the Ped. who promptly showed me the bump in the gums. Didn't look obvious to me, but said 'oh well' and went back home. Sure enough, 2 days later we had a little white tooth poking thru! He was done teething by 18 months (including 2 yr. molars). My 2 older children started getting their teeth at 6 mo.

Best of luck!

Best of luck!

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S.R.

answers from Binghamton on

your 3 month old could be teething if she is drooling alot and puting her fist in her mouth check her gums to see if you see any white spots that will tell you if she is teething get some baby orjel rub on gums and that will help or get the little toys that you put in refridrater to keep cold so she can shew on them there teething toys.

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J.H.

answers from Syracuse on

Hi A..

My daughter started teething at about that age, maybe 4 months...but chewing her hands, drooling, all that good stuff...she didn't get her first tooth til about 8 months! (Actually, I think my other 2 kids followed the same pattern). So while it definitely sounds like she's teething, it doesn't mean you'll see teeth anytime soon.

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D.D.

answers from New York on

oh yeah...my son started that soon also. he's 9 months old and has 8 teeth...will most likely have 10 by the end of next week! give her the teethers that you freeze - they love to suck on them. infants tylenol if she's running a fever and lots of cuddling and lots of extra love! good luck!

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K.E.

answers from Buffalo on

My daughter had her first TWO teeth at 3 months old. Its not that uncommon. Just freeze some teething rings and find out from the pediatrician how much tylenol she can have. Start giving her hard things that disolve in the mouth, anything to relieve the pain. Be happy she is teething now. I know from experience that its much easier when done earlier. MY daughter is now 14 months and has ALL of her teeth and just starting to teeth the two year mollars.

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J.L.

answers from Albany on

Hi A.-
My son started with the same symptoms at about that age but we didn't actually see a tooth for a month or two later. He is 19 months now and to this day still uses the massaging action teether by First Years when his teeth are bothering him. My ped. also said that oragel was a waste because when they drool so much they drool out the medicine. My ped. said to give Tylenol when he seemed to be unconsolable or before naps/bed so he would sleep.
Good Luck,
J.

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R.M.

answers from New York on

Hi Arlene. I also thought my baby was teething at this age, but unless the gums are red and/or swollen he's not. Babies start to explore at this age and putting things in their mouth allows them to do this with all 5 senses. Hands are the most convenient things to explore. The drooling is a sign that teeth will be coming, but also your baby is getting ready to digest solid food. It is still a few months away, as are the teeth. Take it as a sign that your baby is developing normally. As always, check with your pediatrician to rule out anything like earaches.

Good Luck!

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T.W.

answers from New York on

My son got his first tooth at 3 1/2 months, I was not looking for this at all. One day he would not take his bottle, which was not like him, He kept pushing it away even though he wanted it he would cry and push it away. I thought he was maybe getting sick. The next day I saw his tooth, it was on the bottom and with in 2 weeks from that he had a 2nd one coming in. It might be teeth, offer her a cold (do not freeze) washcloth and she might chew on it. It can't hurt... Good luck.

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S.S.

answers from New York on

it is possible but most likely not what's happening. the average age is 7 months although it can happen a lot earlier or later. my daughter did the same thing around 3 months - i think it's just a normal developmental thing which will continue on for a while.

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A.M.

answers from New York on

my daughter is the same age, does the same with drooling, but isnt teething. could be anything with the crying- growth spurt, illness, off schedule with sleeping. good luck

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A.D.

answers from New York on

Hi A., Yes, all the signs point to teething in my experience. One of my sons had a tooth a 4 months old. Get her some teething stuff. I think they still make the kind you put in the fridge. It must feel so good on those painful gums. My 5 kids are all grown now. Ranging from 41yrs.to 24. Some things don't change and teething can start as early as 3 months. Good luck, this is just the beginning. I'm sure your daughter is wonderful and she was born on Elvis's birthday! Here I go dating myself! Mary

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P.J.

answers from New York on

Sounds like teething to me...I just hope that she won't go through what my eldest did. He started all thwe fussing and drooling about that age but didn't get first tooth until 9 months and 2nd tooth at first birthday. He suffered with each one. I had to keep a stock of Infant Tylenol and Nite time Baby Oragel. He stopped using his binky at about 2.5 months - jus tthrew it out of his crib and would never take it again...which had been the only thing that had helped. My younger son popped his first tooth at about 2.5 months and got his second one the next day. You rarely knew when he was getting one...BUT, he did not finally give up the binky until nearly 3. The eldest took formula in a bottle - the one iwth the mouthful of teeth nursed until nearly 3! It figures right! LOL!

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D.R.

answers from New York on

She absolutely could be! My daughter was teething at 2 months and had two teeth in at 3 months old with two more following soon after. The doctor dismissed my belief that she was teething at 2mos. until her teeth arrived!

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S.C.

answers from New York on

oh yes that's teething for sure. my daughter started this early and lasted until 9 months of age! she drooled like a running faucet too so don't be alarmed if that happens. frozen bagels are great when they get a little older and can hold it (to gnaw on) but for now - tylenol on occasion if she's really out of sorts and the gel teething stuff helps - not 100% but it can take the edge off!

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C.H.

answers from New York on

Sounds like your daughter is ahead of the curve on teething. Both my sons got their first tooth before 3 mo of age and both had 6 teeth at 6 mo. If this is the case, she will also be among the first to lose teeth in kindergarten

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J.H.

answers from Utica on

Hi! My son started at about the same time (around 3 months), and it went on, and on, and on...his first tooth didn't pop through till 10 months. Once the first came through, another 4 popped out within the following 2 - 3 weeks.
In the beginning of it all, I had asked our pediatrician if he could be teething already, and was told that yes he could be, but teething can go on for many months. And for ours, it did.
Something that I thought worked good, and seemed the safest, was Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets. They're all natural. They seemed to help calm our son on his bad days/nights.
Good luck!
--J.

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K.S.

answers from New York on

Yes , she is and nothing is wrong with her.

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D.

answers from New York on

It doesn't necessarily mean she's teething. My son started that at 4 mos and didn't get his first tooth until 9 mos. Stick your finger in her mouth you would be able to feel them under the gum if their there. The bottom from two come in first. You can by baby oregel to help.

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L.D.

answers from Albany on

She is probably teething and the bad thing is, you may not see an actual tooth for another 3 or 4 months. :( Once the first tooth comes in though, it won't seem as bad for future ones.

Unfortunately it is probably pressure she is feeling and nothing is going to help that. My ped doesn't suggest Tylenol until the teeth are about to break through and doesn't suggest Orajel saying it is very short lasting.

Now my parents...they would tell you to rub a drop of whisky or rum on her gums!

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K.G.

answers from New York on

Hi Arlene my son is 5 months and we experienced the same timing. He hasn't broken yet but periodically he has a tough time as the teeth start to move. I have been giving him teething tablets which are all natural. There are a few brands out there-Humphreys, Hylands are a couple. So far so good they seem to alleviate the pain. The tablets look like baby aspirin and dissolve in 2 seconds under the tongue. Hope this helps.

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C.S.

answers from Syracuse on

Yep, sure sounds like teething to me! My now 3 1/2 mo DD started this a month ago, with no end in sight. :o( You can try give you DD a whole carrot straight from the fridge to chew on (she'll just gnaw at it, and the hard texture & cold temp will feel good on her gums. The chances of her actually breaking a piece of carrot off are slim, but monitor her nonetheless). Some people also swear by chamomile tea-soaked rags that are kept in the fridge or even the freezer for their DC to chew on. The chamomile naturally soothes, and the cold feels good. If none of that seems to help her, you could also try Hyland's teething tablets (www.hylands.com/products/teething.php) which are safe to give to very young babies. They are quick-dissolving, so there's no need to worry about your DD choking on them. If you are concerned, though, you can dissolve a tablet in a bit of breastmilk or formula & let her suck the liquid off your finger.

Best wishes!

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J.C.

answers from New York on

It's possible she's teething. She could be feeling the pain for months before her first teeth actually cut. My oldest daughter started teething at about 4 months old, but didn't cut teeth until she was almost 8 months old. After that they seemed to come one right after another. If you're really concerned, talk to your pediatrician. Otherwise, time to start figuring out which teething toys will work for her. Good luck!

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M.M.

answers from Rochester on

She could be teething but also 3 months is when babies start to find their fists. By 4 months they usually find their thumbs. My 3 month old son is doing the same thing but my ped told me that it's normal for this age. That doesn't mean that she's not teething though! Do her gums look red and swollen?

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K.J.

answers from New York on

A.,

No, It's really not too early to start teething. The range is bigger than what parents expect. It also takes a lot of teething to get those teeth. My daughter broke her first at five months. I remember my mom (baby nurse) saying that there were babies born with teeth!

~K.

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R.L.

answers from New York on

Yup :) My daughter started teething at 3 months too. Just before she turned 5 months, she cut her first 2 teeth, and 2 more within 2 weeks after, and so on. She had a full mouth, including molars by 11 months. Give her stuff to chew on. My daughter didn't like hard things, they applied too much pressure to her sore gums and jaw. I wet a corner of a washcloth and froze (10-20 min in the freezer) it. Gave it to her, and she liked to chomp away. It morphs well to their mouth and they can really manipulate it. My daughter didn't like ambesol. We also tried the Boiron homeopathic teething capules, that seemed to help, and some tylenol when it got really bad. If you buy a mesh feeder (Sassy sells one), you can put an icecube in it and let them chomp away on that too. You might have to hold it, though, and it can get pretty wet.

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I.H.

answers from New York on

Sounds like she is! My son is 6 1/2 months and already have 5 teeth! He started teething around 4 months or so. The teeth hurts more before they break through the gum, so it could def. be teeth!

I normally use orajel on his gums and when he's really really really hurting I give him tylenol (but that doesn't happen that often). Check with your doctor about how much to give her (it depends on how much they weigh)

Good luck!

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M.S.

answers from New York on

Yes, she is teething. This is the beginning of many months of drooling, crying, biting, chewing, sucking, etc. All I can suggest, is keep a bib on her (so that she stays dry) and give her teeting rings (don't freeze them) you don't even have to refrigerate them at this point. If it really gets unbearable at night time, give a some tylenol at bed time so that she and you sleep. Enjoy, I have 10 month old twin boys so trust me I know about teething.

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M.W.

answers from Binghamton on

Babies can start teething well before you see any teeth. I have a 6 month old that has been chewing on her fist for months and there are no signs of teeth. My first daughter on the other hand had 4 teeth by the time she was six months. All babies are different. Check to see if her gums on the bottom are really red. Sometimes you can even see the little white if you run your finger over her gum. Babies start to drool early. I think I had one that drooled at 2 months. If you think she is in any pain you can give her a teether that you put in the fidge. Good luck. Congrats on your baby.

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C.R.

answers from Syracuse on

most kids don't start until later but it sounds like she is....her teeth could be shifting and that hurts...try a little pain reliver and see if it helps...don't over use it but maybe for bedtimes, you could try oragel or something else for daytime, a cool damp washcloth could be soothing...just not wet, or she will be wet too! Goodluck! Always go with your gut when it comes to your kids and when in doubt go to/call the peditrican...that's why they're there!

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J.S.

answers from Elmira on

Yes A. she could be. My son started teething at two months. Teething unfortunatly is not exact. By nine months he had 8 teeth, but his little friend who is two months older, had only just started to teeth at 8 months. As they say each child developes as different rates, so you may want to get out the teethers, also a damp cool wash cloth works good for little ones to chew on. Good luck

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R.T.

answers from New York on

Hi, my boy cut his first tooth at four months old. He was very much fussy like your baby and use to put his fist and blanket in his mouth. I realized it happened when I saw blood on the wet part of his blanket. I decided to check his mouth and made the discovery. Just check the gums from time to time. They sell homeopathic pellets if you suspect teething. The brand name is Humphreys. It helps while teeth are coming out.

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