Too Young to Be Teething?

Updated on February 06, 2009
A.C. asks from Harpers Ferry, WV
32 answers

My son is exhibiting symptoms of teething... He has been chewing on his fists and acting hungry, but isn't hungry or doesn't want to nurse. He is drooling excessively, like soaking his face and outfits. Today he was slightly fussy and acting uncomfortable. He stopped doing all this over the weekend, but it picked back up today. Could he be teething? He's only 3 months old. I've read that babies can possibly teethe at 3 months, but they usually don't start until about 6 or 7 months. When did your babies teethe? Since drooling, fussing and fist-chewing are baby activities anyway, how can you really tell if he's teething? What can I do for him?

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for writing back about my teething question! Hearing from you made me feel more at ease. I definitely put a nice clean wet washcloth in the frig for him, and he really liked that. I gave him a face and gum massage and he fell asleep in my lap; he was soo happy. I can't feel any little pearly whites in there yet, but in the meantime its bib city for baby Miles and my frig is full of gelly rings and other fun things to chew on. Thanks again for your input, I really appreciate it!

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A.J.

answers from Washington DC on

Totally normal! One of my good friends son started teething at 3 months and had 16 teeth by the time he was 7 months. where as it took my son until he was about 5 or 6 months to pop one tooth!!

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M.B.

answers from Dover on

My son starting teething at 2-3 months and popped his first tooth at 5 months, so its never too early. we used orajel for bad nights as a quick fix but otherwise tylenol as needed.

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E.B.

answers from Washington DC on

My daughter started drooling a lot around 3 months but nothing actually popped through until 5 months. My neighbor's baby had a tooth popped out around 3 months. All kids are different!

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

It sounds exactly what I am going through right now. I have a 3 month old too (10-13-08). He is totally teething. I can actually see the white part on the outside although he hasn't cut teeth yet. On the other hand, I have two year old who didn't cut a tooth until he was like 10 months old and he is still teething this day. Look in his mouth and see if you see more of white areas in his mouth and if his gums are really red. Also, at his four month appt ask the pediatrician what they think.

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T.H.

answers from Norfolk on

if he is getting teeth you might see them. other than that these are the things babies do. they put things in their mouths all the time because thats their instict. babies drool because they dont realize they should swallow. the first 18 months of life will be like this. bibs work great.

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L.T.

answers from Charlottesville on

He's teething!! 3 months isn't to young. just hang in there and do what you can to make him happy even if it's means holding him all day. It won't last forever. :)

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C.B.

answers from Washington DC on

He's not too young. My first son cut his first tooth at 3 1/2 months. My second son cut his first one at 5 months and my youngest cut his at 6 months. However, all 3 of them started signs of teething around 3 months. I thought that last 2 were going to cut theirs early too but it took forever. From what my dr. told me, I understand that the teeth start pushing under the gums at 3 months which can trigger teething symptoms. I never did anything for my kids except give them teething toys or put a wet washcloth in the fridge to make it cold and let them chew on that.

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J.W.

answers from Norfolk on

Not to young at all. My first I am convinced started teething around 2-3 months, I just didn't realize it because it took her until 7-8 months to get her teeth. My youngest started teething EARLY nad had her first tooth by 5 months. The first tooth takes longer usually to come in , therefore usually teethign symptoms last longer for the first teeth to come and break though. mY oldest teethed until she was close to three and she ahd it BAD. My youngest just turned 2 and has had all of her teeth like a dream for about 5-6 months already. Holland teething tablets from Walgreens are AWESOME and they dissolve. Hurricane Gel is also great. It is not a perscription but you will probably have to ask at Wal Mart for them to order it. It is great and works better than anything I have tried. The directions say you can't swallow it and that the child has to rinse out after applying but that is not truw. My dr said it was fine if they swallowed it and it is because I used it A LOT with my oldest. Good Luck!

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J.M.

answers from Washington DC on

It sounds as if he is exhibiting symptoms of teething. It doesn't mean he'll cut a tooth anytime soon. Babies often go through these bouts of teething symptoms well before they actually pop a tooth. Give him some of the teething toys to gnaw on, rub his gums if he'll let you. All babies are of course different and it's possible he could cut a tooth at 4 months.
Good luck!

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L.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I hate to break it to you, but my son had 3 teeth at 3 months. In fact, they popped out the day he was baptized. My husband actually had 2 teeth at 2 months. So he could be getting teeth and they can break through....

The dentist told us that kids with early teeth will lose them early too - which he did. The problem with that could be overcrowding with the big teeth in a smaller mouth. But so far, there has been no talk of braces and they all came in straight and fit. I think he lost all of his plus got the 12 year molars by end of year 10 into 11.

I just kept them on a regular eating/sleeping schedule and if it got bad, a bit of pain reliever to help them get to sleep. I actually think teething was easier on us at the early age rather than with my other kids at a later age.

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R.F.

answers from Washington DC on

My son is almost 7 months old and had 2 teeth before he was 6 months old. The Doctor told us that they could haver symptoms as early as 2 months, but that does not mean the teeth will break the skin that early. I think my little man starting doing the fist thing about 3 months or so as well. I hate bibs, but I got used to the fact that I really needed to use them...lol.
Baby Miles is fine. Good luck and enjoy the process of life with him. I know I am.
R.

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A.T.

answers from Norfolk on

It is possible that your baby is starting to teeth. My duaghter (now a year) started showing signs of teething early on like around 3 months but it may be a while before you actually see the first tooth. I didn't see it until she was a little over 5 months. It is possible that they are starting to bother him though. There are homeopathic teething drops you can get from target *haven't seen them at walmart* that are 100% natrual and NO side effects. I used (still do) with my daughter and it really does seem to help. They are homeopathic teething drops with poohbear and eeyore on the box.
Good Luck! =)

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J.C.

answers from Lynchburg on

My children's teeth didn't come in until about 6 mo for the first, but the teething symptoms started several months earlier. Also, there have been cases when children are born with teeth so it's definately a possibility. I suggest teething rings that go in the refridgerator. My kids loved those, especially in the months leading up to the first tooth.

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K.T.

answers from Dover on

Teething can take months. He is NOt to young to be starting. My DD started at 3 months and had 4 teeth at 5 months! Bibs, sucking toys, the usual things. I used those mesh feeding bags they have out now. Put in frozen fruit like banana, or peas or green beans and let baby chomp away on it.
You may just have a baby with early teeth!

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S.C.

answers from Norfolk on

He is probably teething. Let him suck on a cool clean cloth or hold a teething ring for him that has been refrigerated (not frozen). With a clean finger massage his gums. The bottom middle teeth are usually the first so you may feel a bump in the gum line around there. Ask your childs doctor if he feels tylenol is indicated. My oldest got his first two teeth (at the same time) at 16 weeks. Good luck!

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Q.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Yes it is possible that your baby can be teething, even though it is a bit early. My son started to teeth at three months and had his two bottom teeth in at 4 months. I wouldn't recommend the baby oral gel because there has been so many side effects from it. However, I would recommend a gel teether (frozen), a waffle, yes a waffle (ego) this is good because they absorb the drool and it’s nice and cold for sore gums. And your last result would be a drop of infant Tylenol. Hope this helps.

Good luck!!
Q-

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A.S.

answers from Dover on

My little boy had been doing things like that since he was about 2 months old. He just turned 4 months last Thursday and had broke through with his 1st tooth the Saturday before. So I guess technically he was still "3" months old. Some just teeth sooner than others. My oldest daughter (now 8) got her 1st 2 teeth with days of becoming 4 months, my best friend's son, same age was almost a year before he got his 1st tooth. EVERY child is different.

Just give him things to chew on. My son likes to chew on blankets even. His favorite is one of those with the character head, he chews on Tigger and the blankie. It also has a rubber corner to it. We gave him some teething rings at Christmas, he had just turned 3 months. Some also suggest freezing a wet washcloth to give them to chew on.

Enjoy! More "firsts" all to come. : )

A.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

My daughter has been chewing on things for months, and just recently had some teeth pop through. So he could be teething and he could also teeth for a long time before you see any actual teeth. My baby was around 3 months when she started that, and is almost 6 months now.

Occasionally I give her some baby tylenol (talk to your doctor for proper dose for his weight), but she also enjoys teething toys.

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A.S.

answers from Washington DC on

My son had 2 teeth at three months. I don't think there is such a thing as *too early*. As a young woman I assisted a woman who's baby was born with a tooth. Teething rings help, baby orajel to ease it if he is has pain or much discomfort. I also have 2 grandchildren that had teeth break through at 3 months.
Don't worry, it is a normal process. Teething rings, wet cloths to chew, baby orajel and normal remedies for teething.

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J.S.

answers from Richmond on

My baby didn't start teething until she was almost a year old, but my neice and nephew both started teething at 3 months. It is a lot more common than you would think, so don't worry about it. You can use the teething rings that go in the freezer and you can also take a washcloth and dampen it and let them chew on that. My baby liked the washcloth.

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M.G.

answers from Washington DC on

he is not too young

even if they are not poking threw they are still moving in the gums.

you can give him some infant tylanall half the recomended dose

also make use of those teethers that go in the fridge (don't put it in the freezer it makes it too cold)

he might like to chew on that and just basically carry around multiple bibs.

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B.E.

answers from Washington DC on

Keep in mind that though he may not actually get his teeth for another 2 or 3 months, the teething process may have started (sounds like it has!) My daughter started her drooly phase at 3 months, though no teeth popped until 6 months.

Good Luck, B.

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T.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Hello A.,

Children teething times are different. My son was teething at such a young age and got his first tooth at age 5 1/2 months. I was terrified because when he started to walk at 7 1/2 months and occasionally he would fall I first thought of him losing his two teeth. It depends on the development of the child when they begin teething. Based on the description you described he may be teething. Just get those water rings and place in fridge to get cold and place in his mouth to soothe the gums.

T. R.

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R.S.

answers from Denver on

A., Just feel is gums (with a clean finger ofcourse), you will be able to feel the teeth. Now I think he could potentially be uncomfortable before the teeth move, but if it has been a week I would think you could feel them.

On the side: you can try MOMs club to meet mom's just like you.

R.

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L.M.

answers from Norfolk on

My son had visible teeth at 2.5 months. I did some research and found that on rare occassions, some babies are born with a couple of teeth errupted already! You're recognizing the signs. Trust your instincts.

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K.E.

answers from Washington DC on

Hey A.. It definitely could be teething - my son cut his first tooth when he was 3 months and 1 day old! He'll be 1 on Feb. 13, and just cut his 10th tooth yesterday! When he was that little, it was tough becuase his mouth was so tiny - even if he had wanted to chew on the teething rings and such, most were too big for him. I did find some small ones (I think at Wal-Mart) that would have worked, but he wanted nothing to do with them (he's a very NON-oral child...no toys go in his mouth, never took a paci, etc.). I used Orajel, Tylenol if he was really hurting, and sometimes a wet washcloth put in the refrigerator to get it cold and then letting him chew on it would help. If he takes a pacifier, I've been told you can fill the nipple with water (immerse it in water and squeeze the nipple) and then freeze it. He may get some comfort chewing on that. Look at his gums and run your finger across them. If they're red, inflamed, or almost look like there's a 'bubble' on them, it probably is teething. Good luck!!

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H.G.

answers from Washington DC on

Yeah, he is too young. My 3-1/2-month-old is exactly the same way, he suddenly became a drool factory at about 2 months, whole fist in mouth, soaking clothes. Buy waterproof bibs, put powder under his chin and settle down for the long haul, my pediatrician says -- he is too young to teethe. What's going on is that all their parts and systems aren't fully 'online' when they are born but kick in over the first year or so. So his salivary glands are now working but are a little more than he is prepared for. Plus now that everything goes in the mouth, that makes him drool more.

As for seeming uncomfortable, it's probably the opposite of what you're thinking -- if he is unhappy or feeling off, he is prolly sucking his fist to comfort himself. It doesn't have anythng to do with his teeth -- yet! Unfortunately I think we are both in for a long long association with drool, as I assume they're going to get into teething soon [after 4 months I'm told] and the drool just won't stop!

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K.R.

answers from Danville on

My youngest got her first tooth at 4 months so no it is not to early for him to be teething, trust me even though books or articles say something doesn't mean it is the way it always is, every child is different. IF you really feel he is teething then he prob is feel of his gums and see if you can feel anything that feels like it might be a tooth, also those teething tablets that they have at walmart really do work wonders don't know if he is too young for those yet if it becomes too troublesome call your doctor and see if it is okay to give him some tylenol. hope this helps!

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S.K.

answers from Washington DC on

My kid didn't get her first tooth until around eight months, but I have a friend whose daughter was around four months when she got her first. She also lost her baby teeth early, less than 5 years old. Yep, it can happen. The milestones are averages.

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R.H.

answers from Norfolk on

They can teeth at any age. Some babies are born with teeth so it could be teething. You can tell the difference because they drool more. All babies do chew on their fists and all babies get fussy but you can tell mostly because they drool more than just a little...lol Good luck and get a frozen teething ring or frozen wet wash cloth.

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P.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi A.,

My son got his two bottom teeth at 4 months and ALL of his baby teeth by 12 months. Yep that right - that means he was teething before 4 months.

The only thing that worked for my son was his fingers and fist. I even tried soothing his gums with oral gel but he didn't like anything I tried. It's also normal for your son to be fussy during this time. You can try a teething ring, rubbing a clean finger with a cloth in the area (the two bottom teeth in the middle develop first), or teething gel. I wish you the best!

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A.J.

answers from Washington DC on

My first daughter had her 4 front teeth by 4 months and they started to come in at 3 months - perfectly normal, just as being toothless until 1 year is normal :)

I gave my babies my thumb when they were mostly gums and then would give them a little Tylenol or Hylands teething tablets (homeopathic remedy that you can find at most drug/grocery stores). My girls never liked teething rings with the gel/liquid inside but they did enjoy their hard plastic toys. I think that helped them acutally cut the tooth better anyway.

Your post reminds me that when my daughter started to teethe I thought she was turning into a difficult baby! I didn't even know to look for teeth at that age! lol!

Good luck - just cuddle him more and help him through this short time.

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