CHILD DEVELOPMENT Q & A

Click on your selected questions for the answers, or scroll down below for all the Q&A's

1. I get very uncomfortable on seeing my child touching her genital area and she seems to be doing a lot of that these days. Is that really part of the normal development?

Most parents are concerned about two main issues regarding genital play. They feel embarrassed when their child explores his genitals, an area they considered private and in a different category from other parts of the body. Some also view genital playing as a sign of sexual development that is inappropriate for this age. Psychologists and child-behaviour specialists believe that it is a healthy part of body exploration and that parents should accept it as such. Your toddler will not feel that his genitals are in any way more special than other parts of his body. It is simply just another part of his body! He also will not share the same sensitivity on the issue of sexuality because he lacks your sexual experience. Do be aware that when you disapprove of this exploration by frowning, or taking away his hands, you may give him the impression that something is wrong with this part of the body and since he cannot understand why it is unacceptable, he may develop feelings of guilt and shame about himself and his body.

2. My 15-month-old daughter weighs about 16kg and is rather small sized. Is that the reason why she is still unable to walk on her own?

On a whole, is your daughter skinny, or is she reasonably well-built? Do small frames run in the family? Does she have a good appetite? Generally, for her age, she needs a wider choice of food besides milk and porridge. Two or three solid meals with rice or different cereals, plus some vegetables and meat followed by fruits may be appropriate. Vitamin supplements can also be considered. As long as there are no underlying abnormalities, it is still acceptable for your child to walk at a later stage and still be considered within the normal range.

3. My daughter is two-and-a-half years old and has been talking for some time now. However, I find that her words are mumbled and compared to other child of her age. What should I do?

Don’t compare your child with anyone else; language is learned at different rates by different children. her speech may be indistinct because of poor muscular coordination. She may say “tebbair” instead of “teddy bear”. This is normal. Never overtly correct her mistakes, but diplomatically repeat what she has just said, but correctly. If your child is going to learn to pronounce words correctly, and later combine them into correct sentences, you must be a model of good speech for her to imitate. So speak clearly, slowly, and embellish meaning with actions, expressions and gestures. I understand from my friends that the more you talk to the baby, the faster his language acquisition. but I am usually at a loss of words, and feel quite stupid talking to someone with little response. Your friends are right to make that observation. In order to help your child speak, you have to lose some of your inhibitions, and start babbling with him. He’ll probably look at you and giggle, and try harder babbling back. Respond again, so that learning to speak becomes a game. Aside from imitating his sounds, speak normally to him, too. As you bathe him, say as you wash a particular area, “Now, Mummy is washing your dirty neck. See, your neck is clean now”. As you feed him, say “Wow, look at this delicious fish you’re going to eat!” When you bring him out, say, “Look, there’s the bus! Where is the bus going?” As the bus disappear out of sight, say “Oh! The bus is gone, no more bus.” Name everything he sees. Repeat them often. Ask him to repeat after you if he is able to, and show your approval and pleasure by praising.

4. I would like to know more about language development for my child, and how I can stimulate him in this area?

As early as the infancy stage, a baby can engage in “conversation” through sounds, gestures and body language. At 28 weeks, clear syllables like “ba!”, “ka!” emerge, and at 32 weeks, these syllables are clearly combined eg, “ba-ba”. At 40 weeks, he may use one word with meaning and understand “No”, as well as simple orders. As he turns one, he may be able to say two or three words with meaning. At about 15 months, you should be able to hear strings of his own unintelligible sounds with emphases, inflections, phrasings, actions, and occasionally some real words. In his 18th month, he may be able to point out many objects in books and everyday life, and use about 10 words with meaning. Between 18 months to two years, your toddler’s speech becomes more complex and sophisticated, with a vocabulary of about 30 words. His speech, however, may be indistinct because of poor muscle coordination. From two to three years, your child knows about 200 to 300 words, and he may engage in long monologues. Your child is starting to use the word ‘and’ and connecting ideas, and getting the hang of using pronouns like “I”, “me”, “you”. Three to four years is the time when he is showing command of language and using it confidently. The concept of grammar is growing fast and he likes to keep a conversation going with plenty of “whys”, “hows”, and “whens”. The general rule of thumb in language acquisition is that the more your baby is stimulated to talk by being talked and encouraged to respond, the earlier he will learn to talk, and the better will be the quality of his speech. So talk non-stop from day one, and with gusto and plenty of exaggerated intonations. Sing to him and read to him often, especially nursery rhymes. make talking amusing and humorous. As he grows older, make your sentences longer and more complex. When your child speaks to you, turn to him and listen attentively. Nod, and incline your head to show that you’re listening.

5. When is the appropriate time to take off night-time nappy for my toddler, and how should I go about doing it?

As a guide, these are some facts you need to know regarding bladder control. By 18 months most children are almost dry during the day; by two years, half will be dry at night; by three years three-quarters are dry day and night; by five years, 90% are dry day and night. So it follows that one out of 10 children still needs night nappies. Some indications of when your toddler is ready to give up nappies at night include staying dry after a whole night’s sleep for a period of time; going for three to four hours without urinating in the day; and occasionally waking in the early morning because he needs to urinate.

6. My child is still potty-training. And she is getting along fine. When should the toilet be introduced?

Once your child reaches about 30 months, she should be big enough to use the toilet. Make sure the toilet is comfortable and stable to sit on. Some potties come with a detachable toilet seat which can be put on top of the adult’s version. Initially, you’ll have to hold your child as she may have a fear of falling down the bowl. Once she is more confident, you can get a stool for a foot rest to avoid the “perching position”. Little boys may need a step to stand on at first and standing up and hitting the target is actually easier with the toilet than with the potty. Let him imitate dad so he gets the idea and feel more confident about the whole affair.

7. I am a first-time mother and am still unsure how I can start potty-training my toddler. Can you give some tips please.

Go potty-hunting with your child and let her be involved in choosing her own potty. If yours is a two-storey house, get one for upstairs and one downstairs. Let your child see you using the toilet and it helps if she gets to see other visiting toddlers use the potty. Get your child to sit on the potty from time to time to get use to it. Some toddlers don’t mind having stories read to them or watching the television while on the potty. Always praise your child when you get a result, but never criticise if you don’t.

8. How much sleep does a toddler need? My 19-month-old boy used to take two naps a day, but recently, he simply refused his morning nap. I tried to coax him to sleep but it doesn’t seem to work. When I scold him, he gets worse. What should I do?

When they reach their first birthday, most babies take at least two naps a day, which break up their waking day fairly evenly. Somewhere around the middle of their second year, they begin to move towards taking a single nap a day, which could be some time in the late morning, before lunch or in the early afternoon just after his mid-day meal. So your son is probably in that phase. This is normal in growing tots and you don’t have to be unduly worried. Between the first and second birthday, the toddler will probably reduce his total sleeping time by just about one hour. Most children in this age group sleep between 10 and 12 hours at night. They make up the rest of their sleep needs through daytime naps, which can range between 20 minutes for active and wakeful toddlers to three or more hours for the sleepy ones.

9. How long does it take for a crawler to become a walker?

Between the eighth and the ninth month, the average baby starts to pull himself up to a standing position. He will pull up on anything he can get his hands on - tables, your legs or even your family dog. From there to cruising and then to walking is a but a hop, skip(ped heart beats) and jump(y nerves) away. Though some babies are obliging enough to walk on their first birthday, there are many who don’t walk before 13 or even 18 months. Your baby’s body structure and the opportunity he is given to try out his legs play a part in when he will take those crucial first steps.

10. How can I tell that my son is ready for the potty?

At around the age of 15 months, your child is beginning to perceive the urge to go. Other signs that indicate this readiness to be potty-trained are these:

11. Why is it my child who has already been potty trained, is reluctant to go to the toilet while at preschool?

A child who has been potty trained may still be reluctant to go to the toilet at school due to a number of reasons. For some children they are used to having an adult help them with their toilet need. Hence a change of routine would leave him a little disoriented and lost. When this happens the child would rather hold back his urge than to go to the toilet. For most children they can hold back for about an hour after which they become fidgety, inattentive and some may even lose control and wet or dirty themselves. Faced with this situation it is very important to reassure the child. he would be embarrassed enough to have it happen without having the other children ridicule him or the teacher reprimand him. The best thing for the teacher to do is to help him get cleaned up and into a fresh set of clothes. It is important that you help the your child develop a sense of responsibility and gradually get him into the habit of going to the toilet independently and washing himself up.

12. What are some of the things that I have to teach my child about using the toilet while at preschool?

The most important thing to teach your child is to keep himself clean when using the toilet and to leave the toilet clean when he has finished using it. Washing of hands after using the toilet is a small but very important habit to inculcate. Flushing the toilet after use is also something which the child has to learn. Stress to the child the need to pass urine properly so that he does leave a smelly mess behind him. Also teach him to clean himself thoroughly after moving his bowels.

13. What should I do if my child hardly wants to use the toilet at school?

To counter this situation, get your child into a routine of going to the toilet just before he goes to school. This would ensure that he will be comfortable in school and he does not need to control his urge when in school. When he comes back from school three hours later he should be ready to go to the toilet again or to move his bowels if he has not done so in the morning. Getting your child into the habit will take some time and patience on your part. But once he gets into the routine, he will probably be able to be able to go to the toilet before he goes to school and immediately after he comes back.

14. My five-year-old still wets his bed habitually. Is bedwetting common at this age?

Younger children tend to experience bed-wetting or enuresis more commonly. Studies have indicated that as many as 25% of three-year-olds wet their beds at least once a week. Most children would have acquired bladder control at the age of four. If however, the child does not acquire this by the age of four, then the chances of him remaining dry for the next twelve months decreases sharply. At a younger age, girls tend to have better control of their bladder. The percentage evens out between the ages of four to six and after the age of seven, the incidence of bedwetting is higher in boys. Bedwetting is only considered abnormal when it is repeated involuntarily by children who are above the ages of four and five at least twice a month. While there are both day and night wetters, the incidence of night wetters is higher than the former. A high rate of emotional disturbance could give rise to combined day and night wettings. Bedwetting is rather inconvenient but you must remember that your child needs your support and understanding. Being negative about the whole issue would only serve to demoralise him. Most incidences of bedwetting stop as the child grows up. However if it persists through the school years, then you might consider having your child seen by a professional.

15. Could you tell me some of the common causes of bedwetting?

While the exact causes of bedwetting cannot be identified due to the fact that it could be a combination of a variety of factors, here are some possible causes of it. Firstly it could be genetics. Studies have indicated that bedwetting could be caused by genetic factors. To illustrate a study done on identical twins show that when one twin suffers from the problem, the other twin is very likely to wet his bed too. This however is not true among fraternal. Since identical twins share similar genetic chemistry hence the conclusion is that the problem is genetically linked. The second factor is toilet-training. There has been cases of bedwetting linked to improper toilet training. Parents who toilet train their children too early put undue pressure on the child and the stress results in a situation where the child has problems acquiring bladder control. On the other hand parents who are too tolerant in the process will lead to a delayed acquisition of bladder control in the child. The third factor is maturation or development lag. Just like children who develop at slower rate in terms of walking and talking there are just some children who do not acquire bladder control even at the age of four or five. In such cases, time will take care of the problem. The next factor is urinary infection and tract obstruction. Urinary infection is generally more common in girls than boys. Bedwetting is also sometimes related to urinary tract obstruction. The fifth factor is bladder size and function. Most cases of bedwetting are often attributed to smaller sized bladders. However studies have shown that this is not the case. It is usually not smaller bladder capacity but actually a low functional bladder volume. Finally, another possible cause of bedwetting could also be stressful life events. Stressful events in a child’s life are usually traumatic and leave lasting effects. Circumstances such as family breakup, the death of a loved one or parental divorce are such events

16. My son is five years old. He usually sleeps very soundly through the night and I find that this could be the reason he wets his bed sometimes. On someone’s advice I have taken to bringing him to the toilet at least once a night. This however does not seem to be working out for two reasons, firstly I have to carry him to the bathroom since he refuses to wake up and secondly, it disrupts my own sleep.

Expert opinion on waking a child up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom seems to be divided. While some believe that it is unwise to do so, others believe that the benefits of a child staying dry throughout the night outweighs the minor inconvenience. The trick to this is to wake your child up such that he is at least semi-conscious. Soon enough waking up at a certain time every night should become a habit to him. You should ensure the following, that your child is kept warm in the night and that he empties his bladder before he goes to sleep. You should also ensure that your child does not take in too much fluids before he goes to bed.

17. My four year old child needs to wear a diaper to sleep every night although he stays dry during the day. I have tried not giving him milk before he sleeps and getting him to urinate before he goes to bed, but this has not helped. How can I help him to get past this bedwetting stage quickly?

Bedwetting is common even in children as old as seven, so do not be unduly worried. Some case of bedwetting is genetically linked. Others may be due to urinary infections. So take your son to the doctor to rule this out. Meanwhile you should not ridicule or punish him. It only serves to worsen the situation because your child will be anxious. Instead try positive reinforcement. Praise him when he has a dry night. Having him wear diapers is a practical solution to the problem at hand. A waterproof sheet around the mattress should protect it from any leaks. You should also ensure that the environment does not aggravate your child’s problem. For example make sure that the temperature in his room is not too low. On cold nights, a warm blanket or a snug tracksuit can help to reduce the need to urinate frequently. Just give your child time. However if the problem does not resolve itself by the time he is seven, you should refer him to the paediatrician.

18. How advanced is the average preschooler’s sense of coordination?

It is truly a wonderful sight for a caregiver when a child at age four is able to skip, jump and also throw a ball. The child himself too feels a sense of achievement as he is able to do these activities with controlled strength and considerable accuracy. These activities are achieved without any clumsy movements of the torso. Speed now becomes a challenge to him. Which explains the child’s enthusiasms in challenges such as racing you from one point to another and also doing something better and faster than you can. A child’s sense of self-worth and self-confidence is also developing at this point in time. Hence a parent who is overprotective or who tends to do things for the child will retard the child’s growing sense of self-competence. Allow your child to blossom and find out things on his own.

19. What are some of the general motor skills that an average five-year-old would have acquired?

At the age of five, a child would have acquired most of his motor skills, including the sense of balance. At that age, the child should be able to use his limbs across the midline of his body, for example he should be able stretch his right hand across his body to reach for an object on his left. This is a very important skill which forms the basis for the child’s ability to write on both sides of the book instead of having to switch hands for the respective pages. The child should also show his preferred hand as it were. There is no necessity for you to “correct” left handedness. It is perfectly normal and your child should not be forced to use his right hand if he shows a natural inclination towards using his left. The five year old child should also be able to trace stencils and print large letters though they may not be very straight. The child should also be able to colour within the lines and should be given as many opportunities as possible to use pencils, crayons and paint brushes. At this age also, the differing rate of development between boys and girls is becoming evident now in their preferred skills. Activities which require finger tip control and eye-hand coordination are fascinating to a child at this age.

20. What are some activities which can help the preschooler build his manual dexterity?

Here are some simple activities which will help build your child’s manual dexterity.

Cutting and pasting
You can involve your child in projects like making simple paper chains out of old magazines, weaving using strips of manila paper of contrasting colours and also making collages.

Sewing
This is also a manipulative skill. You could punch holes around the edges of a square or round piece of stiff cardboard. Your child can then use a blunt darning needle and coloured yarn to oversew the edges.

Puzzle solving
Interlocking puzzles can be fascinating at this age. However if your child does not show any interest or if he cannot solve then, then you should not force him into it.

Construction
You should get the construction sets with more parts instead of the more basic ones. Your child will be thrilled at being able to add working parts such as the wheels and hinges to his masterpieces.

21. Now that my child will be attending nursery school, I feel that she is ready to dress herself. What is the best way to get her started?

Preschoolers generally love feeling independent do it is a good idea to start by letting her choose her own clothes for the day - you can avoid the problem of having her pick out her frilliest party dress by helping her divide her clothes in sets - play clothes, going out clothes, and party wear. Let our daughter start off with easy-to-wear clothes, such as T-shirts and shorts with elasticized waistbands. Point out little rules of thumb, like the “biggest opening for shorts is the one at the top”, as this will help her avoid simple mistakes. You could also help her by going through a short checklist, like “Is this turned the right way round?” and “Is the design in front?” Shoes and sock pose a greater challenge but these can be mastered with the help of a few fun rituals that children take to quite readily. You can show your daughter how to “measure” the sock along the side of her foot before putting it on - this will help her understand the idea that there is a right place for the heel of the sock. Keep shoe fastenings simple - velcro is ideal. Getting the hang of left and right is a little more complicated. You could try putting a small red sticker on her left shoe and a yellow one on the right - this will also make putting on her shoes seem like a game. At the same time, point out to her simple indicators, like “buttons and buckles are on the outer side”, as she can use these as a guide. You could also be on hand to help with awkward fastenings and zippers but do stop yourself from taking over so as to get the job completed fast. And do not forget to be lavish with praise - this is excellent motivation.

22. How soon can I expect my baby to hold up his head a little ? Is there any way in which I can stimulate him to try oftener?

It will start with a few floppy movements but before you know it your baby will be looking you in the eye. Some babies start lifting their heads for short periods of time as early as one month. By the end of two months, most babies are able to lift their heads to a 45 degree angle while on their stomach. He may even be able to hold it up while in a sitting position, though the head will still be wobbly. By three months, a baby's head control is definitely better. Give your baby plenty of opportunity to be on his stomach. You could put him down on an activity mat or blanket which would provide him with plenty of interesting things to look at. Crouch down in front of him so that you can cushion his head in case it flops down and gives him a fright. You could also hang a mirror on the side of his crib which will encourage him to lift his head more often.

23. At what age should a baby be able to sit unsupported? My six-month-old is still slumping over.

The average baby sits unsupported at about six months of age but do remember that each baby develops at her own pace. Much of what your baby does is influenced by genetic factors. While some babies sit as early as 4 months others wait as long as nine months to accomplish this. Give your baby plenty of opportunity to sit propped up by pillows, in the stroller or an infant seat. This not only gives baby a different look at the world around her, it may help her support herself sooner.

24. My son is almost 8 months old but he just doesn't seem to be interested in crawling? Is something wrong with him?

While some babies crawl as early as six months, there are others who never crawl at all. About 25 per cent of the babies omit the crawling stage altogether. They move from sitting to standing and then to walking. Unlike sitting or pulling up, crawling is not considered on the developmental assessment chart. Creeping about on the stomach usually precedes crawling but of course a baby has to sit well before he can crawl. In fact, babies who never crawl may walk earlier than good crawlers. You can try to encourage your baby to crawl by tempting him with toys placed a distance away. Limit his time spent in a stroller or crib. Instead let him loose on a clean floor and give him plenty of opportunity to stretch those little limbs. Before you know it, he will be up and away.

25. My 10-month-old toothless grin looks charming but it is beginning to get me worried. Why is he teething late? At what age does the first tooth usually appear?

Enjoy those toothless grins for there is nothing to worry about. Although first teeth usually come in at about six months, there are a few one-year-olds who gum into their first birthday cake, toothless. While babies have been known to teeth as early as two months, some have waited 18 months before showing those little pearls. If your child is teething late, it is possible that he is following in the toothsteps of either you or your husband as late teething is usually hereditary. It is no reflection on your child’s intelligence or development. Rest in peace that those little chompers will appear as your child’s teeth were formed in her gums at the time of her birth. In the meantime, being toothless will in no way interfere with your baby’s eating as even toothed babies chew with their gums until the molars appear in the middle of the second year.

26. My baby is teething and seems really out of sorts. How can I help relieve the discomfort?

There’s nothing like a mother’s love to make a baby feel better. Lots of hugs and a few drops of paracetamol will definitely get your baby going again. But check with your doctor about the right dosage. In the meantime give her things to chew on, preferably something cold, like a teether which you have kept in the refrigerator. A bottle of cold water may also help relieve the pain as well as replenish the fluids she loses while drooling constantly. Cooling foods may also be more welcome than hot ones. If teething is causing stress and broken sleep, it may lower a baby’s resistance to infections, but it does not cause illness.

27. My eight-month old baby has got four teeth. Will I have to brush them and how do I get her to cooperate?

Brushing your baby’s teeth may seem like an impossible job but it is one that needs to be done. After all impossible jobs are what mothers were made for. How can I ever get that little nipper to open wide and hold still, you say. Well, start early. Let her get used to the idea of a toothbrush or finger in her mouth. Maintaining your baby’s first teeth are an important part of overall hygiene and good health. Baby toothbrushes with soft bristles are available but your baby may deny it entry into her mouth. If that is the case, you could try out a gauze pad or a finger brush for easier access. Clean her teeth after meals and before going to bed at night. Make a routine and stick to it. You could let her brush her doll’s teeth while you do hers. Or you could let baby into the washroom to see you or your husband go through the brushing ritual in the morning. What works for mummy and daddy may work for baby as well. Brush daily and gently.

28. How well developed is a newborn’s eyesight? My newborn doesn’t even seem to notice his mobile hanging over the crib?

At the time of birth, a newborn’s eyes are still not fully developed. The retina in the eye has special light-sensitive rods and cones which enable us to see the world. In a very young baby, the rods, which handle basic, low-light vision are almost fully developed but the more sophisticated cones, which enable us to see lines, colours and details, are yet to mature. The result is that while a baby can see almost as well as you in dim light, he finds it hard to distinguish between textures and objects in normal light. A newborn focuses best on objects that are between 8 and 14 inches away. Miraculously, that is just the distance between the face of the nursing mother and her child. If you want your baby to notice the mobile, you should hang it within that range. Anything closer or further away will be a blur. If you see your child staring intently at your face, it is because a young child has an inborn preference for the human face. Most newborns prefer faces to objects, say scientists and they seem to attend to high-contrast areas like the eyes or the hairline. Even within his range of vision, the newborn has difficulty focusing on something. But babies love looking at things so provide your child with plenty of visual stimulation. Over time, he will learn to track a moving object but it will be not before three months that a baby will be able to follow an object in a full 180 degree arc, from one side to another. Young babies like looking at things, specially light. They are engrossed just looking at the sunlight filtering into the room through the blinds. It is also believed that they prefer black and white combinations to colour at this age.

29. There is little that a small baby can do except lie in the crib, in the baby chair, or on my lap. How can I stimulate his hearing and help him tune in to the world?

Firstly, talk to him. The mother’s voice is the one sound that is the most significant in the infant’s life. He has been hearing that voice since he was in the womb. It comforts and soothes him So talk, babble or sing to your baby as much as you can and very soon he will be cooing back to you. Until baby can shake a rattle, you could try using a wrist rattle. Baby will start turning towards the sound once his vision-hearing co-ordination improves. But be sure to buy a rattle with a soft sound. Babies love music. You could get baby a music box or a couple of musical toys. Of course you will have to operate them for him now. You could also get some baby tapes and you will be surprised to see how soon your baby learns to recognise the tunes. Once again, gentle sounds are best for baby. Babies are also soothed by common household sounds like the buzz of the vacuum cleaner or the hum of the washing machine. You could also hang a wind chime by the window and let baby doze to its soft tinkle.

30. My son was up and walking about at 12 months, but my 15-month-old daughter is not even interested in walking even though we support her. She is still crawling and refuses to stand up. Is there anything wrong with her physical development?

While the average child learns to walk by 13 months of age, some do not start walking until about 18 months old. What was your daughter’s early development like? At what age was she able to roll over, reach for objects, sit, clap hands, wave good-bye and talk? If her development has so far been appropriate, she is normal and there is no cause for worry. However, if there are also delays in other milestones of her development, then her inability to stand becomes more significant. Floppy muscle tone might suggest a muscle problem or a low thyroid hormone level and stiffness might suggest cerebral palsy. Sometimes, delayed motor development runs in the family. The best way to clarify the problem is to consult your doctor.

31. What are some obvious physical developments of a four-year-old child?

A four-year-old child should portray the following physical developments. Firstly, the child should be able to either walk or run alone up and down stairs one foot at a time. The child should also be able to draw a human figure with details such as the head, trunk, legs and arms with fingers. He should also be able to copy circles and crosses. Besides asking the usual ‘why’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ questions a child at four years of age also shows interest in listening to and telling questions. You should take this opportunity to entertain him as much as possible. A child of this age also shows independence in his ability to feed, dress and undress himself. At this age too, the child’s preference for either his right or left hand will also be more pronounced.

32. My child has just turned five. What can I expect in the area of his physical development?

At this age, your child should have acquired dexterity and skill in the control of posture and movement such as climbing, swinging, digging hopping and skipping. This muscular control and coordination is achieved through games and activities such as manipulating blocks and playing with more complicated construction sets. His handwriting and drawing would also improve due to better control. He will be able to copy a square and he will be colouring within the lines. A five year old is also curious about word meanings and he will attempt to use them, so be extra careful of the language that you use around him. A five year old is also more sensible and understands the need for tidiness. He is also cooperative with his friends and he will be protective towards younger children.

33. I think my baby may be teething but I can’t see anything on her gums yet. How do I know she’s teething?

There are a wide variety of symptoms that accompany the tooth fairy's visit. Opinions on how painful teething is varies from physician to physician. Most babies show some of the following symptoms:

Biting or gumming down
Mouthing objects is nothing new but a teething baby will gum down on anything, a finger, a shoulder, a chair back or a crib rail to relieve the pressure in her gums.

Drooling
Located below the jaw, and below and in front of each ear, the salivary glands produce saliva which keeps the mouth cavity moist. When there is an irritation in the mouth, as at the time of teething, there is increased activity of the salivary glands and more saliva is produced. If your baby is dribbling constantly, it is very possible that she may be teething. Do keep a towel handy for quick mop ups as it is not uncommon for a dribbler to develop a rash on her chin.

Crankiness
The sore and inflamed gums may make even the most happy baby, grouchy and out of sorts. If your little angel just does not seem herself, blame the tooth fairy. Night waking, fussiness at meal times, and ear tugging are some of the other symptoms of a teething baby.

Any of these symptoms can alert you to the arrival of a tooth. Take a look at your baby’s gums. You may be able to see a hard ridge on the gums as the tooth pushes its way to the surface. You may feel the ridge before it becomes visible but getting your baby to co-operate for a quick probe will be a tricky business. Inflamed, reddened gums are another sign to watch out for. Be careful however not to assign all signs of fussiness to the tooth fairy. Make sure baby is not actually coming down with something. As the mother you will be the best judge. Diarrhoea and fever have also been associated with teething but according to paediatricians, no studies have established such a link.