Baby teething: what to expect and how to help
6 August 2026 · 5 min read
Teething is a normal, staged process from around 6 months to age 3. Here is what the timeline looks like and what actually soothes a teething baby.
The teething timeline
Lower front teeth usually arrive first at about 6 months, followed by upper front teeth, then the first molars around 12–15 months, canines at 16–20 months, and second molars near the second birthday. By age 3 most children have all 20 baby teeth.
Signs that are genuinely teething
Mild drooling, gum rubbing, wanting to chew on things, and a slightly irritable mood for a few days per tooth are typical. A slightly raised temperature can occur, but a true fever above 38°C, diarrhoea, or widespread rash is not teething — check with your doctor.
What actually helps
A clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring, a cold wet washcloth to chew on, gentle gum massage, and extra cuddles work best. Avoid teething gels with lidocaine or benzocaine and never use amber necklaces, which are a real choking and strangulation risk.
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