REACTION OF BABIES DURING TEETHING PERIOD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 84, 11 January 1950, Page 8

REACTION OF BABIES DURING TEETHING PERIOD

There seems to be considerable variance in the reaction of babies to the eruption of milk teeth. While many children experience little or no discomfort at this period, others again are upset. The baby may dribble a lot, gnaw at anything, wake from his sleep crying his cheeks may be flushed and this may be accompanied by a general, feverishness. In certain cases convulsions may occur but happily this is not' frequent. There is usually plenty of warning that the teeth are shortly to make their appearance. At about the age of six months as a rule the gum in the front of the lower jaw begins to redden and appear swollen —with perhaps some tenderness around the area. This continues until the tip of the crowns of the two lower incisors actually* appear through the skin and from then on there is a rapid recovery to normality. The same indications may be evident at the eruption times of all the remaining milk teeth.

It is found that the mother-to-be can do a lot to prevent teething troubles by ensuring that her prenatal diet is adequate, or balanced •—that is—she should see that she eats sufficient green and root vegetables, butter, eggs, fish, cod liver oil, wholemeal bread, fruit, meat, plenty of milk, and of course have plenty of fresh air, sleep and sunshine. Cut down on sweets and sweetstuffs such as cake and biscuits.