How can I ease her teething pain?

GP Rob replies: Babies ‘front teeth usually appear first and because these are sharp they cut through the gums with relative ease causing fewer teething problems than when the back teeth come through. Try massaging your daughter's gums with your finger since this is very soothing. She will enjoy chewing on something hard, for example a dry crust of bread or a carrot. Hard vegetables can also be chilled for additional benefit. A teething ring chilled in cold water, not in the freezer, is also soothing. Teething gels, baby ibuprofen and baby paracetamol will relieve discomfort. Natural treatments containing camomile can ease soreness, too. One option is Nelson's Teetha, a homeopathic remedy, available from mostpharmacies.

In addition to the discomfort, for some babies teething affects feeding and sleep patterns. Teething can cause a slightly raised temperature but if it is above 38°C then illness rather than teething is likely to be responsible. Diarrhoea, pulling at the ears and coughing have often been put down to teething, but experts now believe these symptoms are more likely to be signs of a viral infection.

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