Teething : Hi I have a three month old... - Pregnancy and Par...

Pregnancy and Parenting Support

59,382 members17,014 posts

Teething

Joleine profile image
78 Replies

Hi I have a three month old baby girl and she keeps biting on her hand does that mean she could be teething early I’m a first time mum I’m quite new so could it be possible she is teething early.

Written by
Joleine profile image
Joleine
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
78 Replies
MissEd profile image
MissEd

Maybe, but baby often bite their hands as its how they explore. My lo chewed his hands from about 3 months but didn't get a tooth till 8.5 months x

TerryNaples profile image
TerryNaples in reply toMissEd

Same 😂 we deluded ourselves for months hahaha and still no teeth at 9 months old

Seb9 profile image
Seb9

I was the same, everything was a sign of teething and my little girl got her first tooth at 9 months and got her top teeth first, just to be different 😁

The only answer to your question is, it could be, although babies do tend to chew and put everything in their mouths, it won't hurt to give her a few teething rings to chew on and it'll help if it is teeth.

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

Yes she always puts her hand in her mouth and I got her a teething mit I put thst on her hand is the sign of teething flustered cheeks as well

Annh17 profile image
Annh17

They find they hands and feet around this age, so they explore. But it could be the start of teething. By LG was teething at that age, but didn’t actually get her 1st tooth till she was 7 months, then she got 3 in a week lol.

Get her some teething toys too help, also we found Melanie granules work well for teething. But every baby is different x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toAnnh17

What is thst I havnt heard of Melanie granules what is it exactly and I would rather her get her teeth at 6 months lol

Annh17 profile image
Annh17 in reply toJoleine01

Sorry, it was meant to say nelsons teething granules 🙄😂 they are just granules, we give them too her of a night time before bed and sometimes during the day (but mainly at night) we have only ever used that product, we also give her calpol when we know her teeth are breaking through.

She’s teething now and she keeps pointing to her teeth, bless her x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toAnnh17

Aww bless her hope lacie won’t be as bad when she theeths and how do I give the granules to her in her milk or mush then up and put them in a sarange and give them to her

Annh17 profile image
Annh17 in reply toJoleine01

My LG has been brilliant when teething, it’s just a long process. She will get the red cheeks and fingers constantly in mouth for 2 weeks, then she will get poorly ears for a week, then her tooth will start too break through. So it’s a long process, but she has been an angel with them, it’s just when they start to break through, you can tell it hurts her, so that when granules and calpol are needed. The back 1s take a while, but the front ones come through really quick. She’s 16months now, apparently they say the further back the teeth the more painful and slower they take 🙄

As for the granules, we just give it too her on a spoon now, but when she was little and no teeth, we used too put on our finger and rub on gums. x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toAnnh17

When you putted the granules on her gums did it hurt her and I’m scared to death for when she starts teething and I feel like I don’t know what to to do I have cooling ring for her the gel ones I ordered a better one for her and hope it works my daughter has started to dribble a bit now and that is what I’m going to be scared of when she gets sore ears what can I do about thst

Annh17 profile image
Annh17 in reply toJoleine01

No didn’t hurt at all, it soothed them, try bonjela, I’m sure you can get it from 3 months, we used too put that on dummy, which really helped.

She gets poorly ears, as it runs in family. So she’s prone to ear infections, but good old calpol, it’s brilliant lol. x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toAnnh17

Yes I have some calpol ready for when she start teething I use to have calpol when I was a kid ana I still do lol I have the six plus even tho I’m not suppose to lol but I just love the taste of it lol

Demmarie profile image
Demmarie

Hi, that could mean she’s teething or hungry. are you breastfeeding or is she having formula? babies can teeth as early from 2 months onwards. if you think it could be her teething it may be worth picking up some bonjella and giving her calpol. But I always take it as they’re hungry. Look online for symptoms Of teething and hungrier babies x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01

No I’m not breastfeeding I’m bottle feeding and I’m always catching her for when she is hungry and yes she is on sma formula but she does nore at her fist I have calpol but I do have to get some baby bonjela

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

I got anbesol liquid rather than bonjela or teething powders as they're just herbal remedies. The anbesol liquid is really good and had lidocaine in it for pain relief.

She's probably just found her hands if she's not showing any other signs of teething, I wouldn't give her any medication if you can help it till she actually shows signs of being in pain.

Georgielouise profile image
Georgielouise

Yes if she is drooling lots too and has flushed cheeks - its teething. But they don't always come through straight away - can take a few months - normally around 5 or 6 months the first tooth appears but they do bite down on things before hand . Get her a teething toy - there are lots of different ones - ones that go in the fridge are good or get a Sophie giraffe - that is a favourite.

My little boy has his front top and bottom teeth now at 11 months and is still chomping on his teethers -his first came through at 5 months but he was teething for a couple of months before. Now he is getting ready for the next ones coming through.

You can also use teething gel if she gets upset or distressed through teething - you can normally tell if they are crying / moaning and are biting on the hand or toys and are flushed in the cheeks.

Georgielouise profile image
Georgielouise

Also you don't need to give calpol- I didn't give my baby boy any calpol for his teeth - its probably best to leave calpol for when they really need it - like when they get high fevers .My little boy got poorly and his fever was very high and it was a struggle to keep it down - so their body may get use to the calpol and it may not be as effective if you keep giving it to them. They do get through it without - just offer lots of cuddles and comfort - she will be fine.

Annh17 profile image
Annh17 in reply toGeorgielouise

I find calpol helps, we don’t give her it all the time, only of an evening when she’s teething and not all the time.

I find it helps her, every baby is different, I will do anything for my baby to help her with the pain. Cuddles don’t take the pain away.

Every baby is different, so you do what you find is best for you and your baby. x

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toAnnh17

I think calpol helps when you're sure it's teething and they are definitely in pain. Like when you can see that they've got teeth coming through, or they're distressed or in discomfort. If baby is just chewing her hands and not showing any signs of being in pain or upset I wouldn't give calpol at that point especially as she's still only very little and chances are she's just found her hands rather than actually teething just yet, I would try a teething ring, bonjela, anbesol etc first before moving onto calpol,but if nothing else is settling or working then give some, but not as a first option.

Annh17 profile image
Annh17 in reply toSeb9

I totally agree, I wouldn’t give baby calpol just for the sake of it. We started with teething rings, bonjela and granules. Bonjela helped to start with, but then just wasn’t strong enough for her.

We still give granules and calpol when we can see teeth and she points too her teeth in pain x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01

Yes I agree I would do anything for my child to yes like U said hugs don’t take the pain away but at least cuddle comforts them

Demmarie profile image
Demmarie

My daughters always got her hand in her mouth, it could possibly mean she is hungry, or teething. it’s a guess with babies. But could also mean she may have a pain ( wind ) so try your best to wind after every feed. but I would say it’s teething my self because my daughter is the same. I try and give her a drop of boiled water when it’s cooled down to see if that helps :) is she crying When she’s got her hand in her mouth??x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toDemmarie

no she doesn’t and my daughter is 3 months and she isn’t allowed boiled water till she is six month old that is what my health visitor has said I wish I could give her cooked boiled water but I have to take my health visitor advice it’s like I want to put her on a bit of soldier food like portage when she is four months but again she said not till six months so I can’t win here 🙁

Kitcat12 profile image
Kitcat12 in reply toJoleine01

She's your baby! Health visitor can give advise but it's your choice how to parent your child. There's absolutely no harm in giving cooled boiled water, the health visitor just has to stick to guidance which is that water is only necessary when baby starts to eat solids ☺️

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toKitcat12

Yea but she Can only have boiled water when she’s six months if they found out that I have given her cold boiled water before I would probably get into trouble

Kitcat12 profile image
Kitcat12 in reply toJoleine01

Of course you won't! Don't let them make you feel like you can't make your own decisions about your own child. Health visitors are there to support, not to tell you off x

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

If she's formula fed then she can have a little cooled boiled water but probably doesn't really need it unless it's really hot weather. If she's having lots of wet nappies and poo then she's not dehydrated so doesn't really need anything other than milk.

With regards to weaning, the research that's been done into it says that their tummies are not developed enough to handle food at around 6 months which can cause upset tummies weight issues.

If you look at the nhs weaning page there is really good information on signs your baby is ready to wean, until at least 1 food is only complementary to milk and milk will still be there main source of nutrition.

I went on a weaning course run by my local authority and it was very helpful, we went over signs baby was ready to wean and good first foods, maybe there is something similar or online now due to covid?

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

Yeah but my health visitor said she will help me win my daughter slowly onto solids when she is six months I think the health visitors are more accurately right then the websites are so if my Health Visitor is going to help me do that then I will go with what she says

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

The NHS is where your health visitor is going to be getting her guidance from as she works for the NHS? They also don't advise weaning till 6 months. What I'm saying is that they're is good reliable trusted guidance on the NHS website alongside what she is saying to you. I'm not advising that you look on an unregulated or unreliable source? If she's going to help you to wean at 6 months then that's really great that she's going to help you but you can also do your own research if it's from reliable sources. Best of luck

Annh17 profile image
Annh17 in reply toJoleine01

We started giving mg LG porridge at 4 months, then started giving her purées fruit and veg. You do it when you think your baby is ready, my LG was showing all the signs.

I’m sorry but all the HV I have seen have been rubbish and I go by how by baby is. It’s your baby and no one else’s. A couple of ounces of cooled boiled water is not going too hurt your baby, again we done this early on to help her with tummy trouble (recommended by HV)x

Premmum profile image
Premmum in reply toJoleine01

my baby was prem she’s 3 months 2 corrected and since she was 1 month old I was told to use cooled boiled water to flush her feeding tube which goes into her stomach. They can have it it just has to be boiled once so empty the kettle boil the water once and put it in a sterile bottle and then once it’s cooled you can use it just don’t give too much mine has 2mls after each feed and each of her medications and that was what is in her feeding plan by the dietician. If it helps my daughter is in heart failure and waiting for open heart surgery in the next couple weeks so I’d say if it’s safe for her you’ll be ok. But just do what you feel is right your the mum and you know what’s best for your child. Health visitors just have guidelines they have to follow and they can’t recommend otherwise because if something happens they’re liable then.

Demmarie profile image
Demmarie

You can feed your baby from 3months. That’s why on food they tell you 3months+.

That’s your daughter, and if you think she needs it you do it. But if you feel comfortable listening to the health visitor then ok, but don’t let Someone tell you to do something if you don’t want to do that, your baby not hers X

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toDemmarie

Thees no credible advice that would tell you to feed solids from 3 months old. War check where you're getting your advice from, both the NHS and WHO guidance is that weaning to solids should begin at our around 6 months, they also give you lots of information about when a baby is ready for solids and what are often mistaken for signs they're ready. Their little tummies are not ready for solids food at 3 months, a definitely doing the right thing by listening to her health visitor.

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

Yes I am but lacie can have a bit of baby porrage can’t she

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toDemmarie

I know but lacie can’t go on solids yet I don’t know how to ween do I and I known she can have baby portage but I don’t think she can have weeterbix with her milk can she?

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

You shouldn't give anything other than formula or breast milk until they're 6 months old and definitely nothing before 4 months old. Their little tummies aren't able to digest solid food yet not even baby porridge. It's got no nutritional value and contains arsenic which although at low levels it can't be ruled out that it will have a negative effect on babies as they're is not enough research into the effect it has.

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

What u on about baby porrage does not comtsin arsenic do you actually know what arsenic is and does it is poison thst can kill people so I don’t think that baby porridge would have arsenic in it dont be silly

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

It's very well known foods contain arsenic, it's extremely common and in low levels not harmful in adults but there's not enough research into the effect in children. If the baby porridge that you're using is rice cereal makes it does contain arsenic. Perhaps you could do some research into it yourself before deciding whether to give it to your child? Https://nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-c...

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

Do u really believe what the website tell u if I was to go into a supermarket and ask the manger they will tell me different and may I ask how do u know there is arsenic in baby food if there was I wouldn’t be able to give my daughter solids at six months would I ams I woulnt be able to give my baby formula either so and I just mentioned it to my sister and she said it’s bs she is a mum her self and I think she gave porrage to my niece at the age of 4 months and she turned out pretty well so

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

I do trust the NHS website and also several other reputable sources which I've researched. I also went on a weaning course run by my local authority and they have me the same information, so I do trust what I've found out over what your sister said, unless of course she's got some research available to read on the matter? It's your decision to do what you like at the end of the day, I just think you should do some proper research before calling what I've said BS.

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

Um my sister work for the nhs and when I told her she was like oh what ever and maybe she don’t believe in that

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

Um OK then if she works for the NHS and doesn't understand that the evidence into what I've said is true then I call BS on her being a medical professional.

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

Show me any evidence that what you're sister is saying is true and I'll happily admit I'm wrong.

Demmarie profile image
Demmarie

Some mothers use formal or they’re breast milk :) xx

LauraJ85 profile image
LauraJ85

Obviously it is down to you when you start weaning, however it is not recommended until baby is 6 months. I weaned my son at 5.5 months with the advice of my health visitor and she told me to start straight with puree veg as baby rice has no nutritional value. Seb9 is right about it containing arsenic too, a quick look on google can give you the basic information on this

Seb9 profile image
Seb9

And you know that how? Like I said her your sister to show me the evidence that there's no arsenic on baby rice cereals and I'll happily admit I'm incorrect? I didn't mock her, I've said I disagree with her.

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

No u said she is bullshiting

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

So you can call what I've said backed up by evidence and on the NHS website BS but if I say the same to because you've provided no evidence and I don't believe that your sister has checked it out it's mocking? Give over. Have you put your sister found any evidence to back up what you're saying yet?

Annh17 profile image
Annh17

HV also recommended breast feeding, does that mean you a bad mum if you choose not too breast feed. I don’t think so, a fed baby is a happy baby.

I was on solids at 3 months just like all my cousins and generation, we have all turned out just fine x

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toAnnh17

I think if you choose to formula feed from the start for no real reason knowing that breast feeding gives your child the best start on life then you need to ask yourself why. Even just knowing that research shows that breast fed babies are 50% less likely to die from SIDS. If you try breastfeeding and can't because of issues you have then formula feeding is defe the best way to keep your baby fed if you can't do it and absolutely the best option to keep your child healthy.

When my mum used to bepregnant with me they were told to drink Guinness to keep up their iron levels, now research and advice is not to drink because of fetal alcohol syndrome. We used to see mothers smoking through pregnancy but now the guidance is to give up because of the higher chances of miscarriage and low birth weight.

Weaning used to be at 3 months but now the guidance is 6 months, because research and evidence shows that before then babies bowels are not developed enough and they can suffer from anemia and weight issues.

We didn't used to take folic acid to prevent spina bifida but it's recommended now because we know the part it plays in pregnancy.

We used to put babies on their fronts to sleep, but now the guidance is to place baby on their back to sleep and this has drastically reduced the chances of SIDS.

I think as research is updated and evidence becomes available to prove the guidance we have to make the best choice from the knowledge we have available to us. As a parent you can choose to do what you want to your own child of course, and if you choose not to follow any of the guidelines that's entirely your choice too.

Annh17 profile image
Annh17 in reply toSeb9

I think some people are just religious to what nhs and hv say, because they think are know it all.

They don’t know your background or your baby, that’s BS I have known many babies to have formula from day 1 and are perfectly fine.

You just gotta do what is best for yourself and baby, I exclusively pumped for 8 weeks and I was drained. We alway combi fed from 5 days, even though was told not too.

My HV told me too give my LG milk at 9 months, which I think was wrong.

I also know mums who still put they babies too sleep on front, as that’s the only way they will sleep.

Guidelines are always going too be there, you either follow them or follow your own heart

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toAnnh17

I think if you look at the research and science behind the guidance then you do have to make the best decision with the evidence that's available to you. It's not religion to follow nhs guidance if it's backed by research and there is evidence for it, it seems like common sense to me.

I know people who've smoked all their lives and don't have cancer, it doesn't mean smoking doesn't cause cancer or that I would be sensible to start smoking.

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

People who smoke when they are pregnant shoulnt becase it’s passive smoking thzt is my opinion my friend smoked thoro her two pregnancy’s ans she shoulnt of. Done thst

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

Hi just to let u know I asked my health visitor about arsenic in baby porrage she said no there isn’t because arsenic is poison and it would kill a baby and the supermarket woulnt sell them if they had Arsenic in it so u are totally wrong my health visitor is write

sweetchild1989 profile image
sweetchild1989 in reply toJoleine01

My lb 18 months and he used to love his baby porridge and he is doing just fine ... there is nothing wrong with baby porridge so dont listen to all that bs x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply tosweetchild1989

Well seb9 here is the one telling me there is arsenic in baby porrage she is the one telling me all this crap

sweetchild1989 profile image
sweetchild1989 in reply toJoleine01

Just dont listen... end of day she your daughter you do what's right for her x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply tosweetchild1989

Exactly and I will do thank you sweetchild1989

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

Just glad she's not my health visitor then, if she's saying it's good to feed to your baby. There is arsenic in lots of foods and it's naturally occurring in all rice, not a dangerous levels but there's no real research into its affects on

Cot bumpers kill babies and they're still on the market! Cigarette are still sold and they kill people too! The levels of arsenic is too low to kill you but there's no way to tell if it causes any long term issues.

Research into any decent weaning method and they all say baby rice isn't needed and had no nutritional value, but know you won't believe me but I really am not that bothered arguing about it anymore. I know I'm right and you know you're right, so we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply toSeb9

OMG Now you’re saying cot bumpers kill babies a lot of babies sleep in cots my daughter is one of them she’s in a cot and she wakes up every day and she is still alive now

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply toJoleine01

I'm pretty sure you must just be trolling me on here now, but just in case you're not. From the information they give you all through pregnancy it's very clear, and I went to both NHS and NCT antenatel classes and the information was identical! No cot bumpers, cots should be completely clear of anything except for blanket or sleeping bag.

Please do some research into safe sleeping if you've not done so already. Your baby may be fine, but they also may not be.

I've put the advice below from the nhs/nct/lullaby trust below for you to check through.

Again it's totally your choice to do what you see fit for your child and many children will have cot bumpers, sadly they're not illegal yet to sell, but I would hate to think you've not made an informed choice about their usage.

nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy...

nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/sle...

lullabytrust.org.uk/parents...

in reply toSeb9

seb9 I would stop reacting to her. I totally agree with you but she will just keep on arguing with you x

Seb9 profile image
Seb9 in reply to

You're so right! Thank you xx

kt_11 profile image
kt_11 in reply to

Agree with this. I’d thought it was the same person who posted the initial question that was arguing but it’s a different account with a very similar name (Joleine and Joleine01). Bit too much of a coincidence so looks like a troll to me...

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply tokt_11

No it’s not troll at all that is my acc but it’s got messed up so I made this one and I don’t troll no one unlike u bet u troll a lot of people

in reply toJoleine01

Cot bumpers are dangerous there is tons of research about them. Just because your child is ok doesn’t mean some are hence why they are not recommended

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply to

Well a lot of people use them ok u can’t tell people not to use them it’s there choice and people alway take them out of Moses basket and put them in cots so

in reply toJoleine01

Ok whatever you say love

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply to

Ask some people then

in reply toJoleine01

Yeah I’ll just go by professional research thanks and not take the risk because some randoms say their child has been ok

LauraJ85 profile image
LauraJ85 in reply to

Completely agree with you. Each to their own but I personally can't understand why anyone would take the risk. They shouldn't be allowed x

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply to

Yes I go by Professional research and I’ve even have to ask Health Visitor today and she said yeah babies are okay in cots cot death is rare

LauraJ85 profile image
LauraJ85 in reply toJoleine01

Cots are fine, its cot bumpers that are the issue!

in reply toJoleine01

Yeah cots are fine that’s not what we are saying. COT BUMPERS are not fine

Joleine01 profile image
Joleine01 in reply to

I don’t have any cot bumpers on mine and arnt some people have them I don’t but arnt they to prevent kids nagging them selfs on the bars

in reply toJoleine01

🤦🏻‍♀️ that’s what we said. Why don’t you actually read messages before you go off on one

Magdalenagale profile image
Magdalenagale

Hi, My little boy is 3 months old and he also started to chew on his hands. I didn’t think It was teething but it is.

I called doctors thinking he might have an ear infection as rubbing his ear a lot. Turned out he is teething. He is really grumpy and currently crying a lot 😞 I hope the pain will

Go away soon!

nikkimatt2019 profile image
nikkimatt2019

Hi yes this is a start of teething my baby was teething young ended up woth forst x2 teeth at 5 months he is only 9 months has 6+ teeth already and he poorly woth extra teeth atm

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Teething

My 9 weeks old baby chews on her fist, drools a bit and passes yellowish sticky poo. Are these...
A_anu profile image

Teething?

Can anyone help reassure me that this sounds like teething please? My little boy (nearly 7 months)...
kt_11 profile image

Teething

What’s best food for a teething little girl?? She doesn’t like her warm food, just cold fruit...
Annh17 profile image

Teething

Hi im new here so dont no how it works😕 Can a baby get high temp when teething my 8 month oldz...
Lisa08 profile image

Teething

Hi, Has anyone experienced a fever with teething? 15 month old, teething and has had a temperature...
Onyx20 profile image

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.