through their mouths...

Posted at 9:12 PM, Jun. 12, 2005

Babies experience great pleasure and satisfaction through their mouths. Feeding brings them delight. Even when not feeding, sucking on a finger or pacifier can change crying to contentment. When babies grow enough to move about and explore the world, they do it by placing objects in their mouths.

When the mouth becomes a source of pain, it is quite unsettling for some kids. If you've ever bitten the inside of your cheek, you know how distracting a bit of newly irregular flesh can be. For a baby, the intrusion of a hard, sharp tooth through tender, swollen gums can be quite an adjustment. Some get used to it quickly, but at first it can be more uncomfortable than a pebble in a shoe.

The teeth (or tooth) that causes the most pain varies from child to child. It is often the first tooth that causes the most discomfort -- or those big molars, when they arrive. For many babies, working on several teeth at once is the worst.

When they are teething, babies bring their hands to their mouths because pressure on the gums brings relief. Massage tends to be more soothing when it comes from someone else, and teething is no exception. A great way to comfort a teething baby is to rub the gums firmly and gently with a clean finger. The first few passes are sometimes a bit uncomfortable, but babies get more and more relaxed as the massage continues.