Teething

The following information is courtesy of the Editor at www.Babeeze.co.za – hope it helps the mommies out there

TEETHING TIME

Is there ever a right time for teething? Is there a set time and order that you can expect your little one to start teething? The answer again is no – babies differ.

If I look at my little one – he started late – around 10 months and instead of getting his lower incisors, he received his upper first molars. And a week later there was one upper and one lower incisor.

But if you are lucky and have a “by the book” baby as some of my friends have you can look to expect the following:

Most commonly teething starts around 6-7 months with the lower incisors. Thereafter, more baby teeth begin to erupt every month or two. So, starting with the incisors, and then the first molars. Followed by the canines and then lastly the second molars.

Here is a basic chart that you can look at following:

TOOTH	ERUPTION	FALLS OUT
Upper Jaw
Central Incisor	7-12 months	6-8 years
Lateral Incisor	9-13 months	7-8 years
Canine	16-22 months	10-12 years
First Molar	13-19 months	9-11 years
Second Molar	25-33 months	10-12 years
Lower Jaw
Central Incisor	6-10 months	6-8 years
Lateral Incisor	7-16 months	7-8 years
Canine	16-23 months	9-12 years
First Molar	12-18 months	9-11 years
Second Molar	20-31 months	10-12 years

Symptoms of teething:

• Often teeth simply appear without any signs but in most cases you may find
• Your little one may drool a bit more than normal
• Your little one may want to chew on things or place objects into the mouth to bite down on
• Gums may look a bit swollen
• Cheeks become very rosy
• Crying, diarrhea and nappy rashes are often common symptoms.
• Agitated or niggly.

Tips for soothing gums:

• Give your little one something cool to gum on e.g. a teething ring (the ones you can place in the fridge are often great).
• Vidol powder is always a great one to keep on hand (especially if out and about) – keep a few sachets in his/ her nappy bag.

Or let them chew of a piece of dried mango or biltong – just be careful of choking.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto

This recipe is free of all the ‘bad stuff’ and is suitable for babies 9 months and older. Thanks to  Jill Japp from the Your Parenting Community.

INGREDIENTS

50g Onion, chopped

25g Butter

100g Basmati Rice

150g Butternut, peeled and grated

450ml Boiling water

3 Ripe tomatoes (225g), skinned, seeded and chopped

50g Cheddar cheese, grated

METHOD

Sauté onion in half the butter.

Stir in the rice

Pour in the water and cook for 8 minutes.

Stir in butternut and reduce heat. Cook for about 12 minutes, or until water is absorbed.

Meanwhile, sauté the tomatoes in the remaining butter for 2 or 3 minutes.

Stir in the cheese until melted.

Stir into rice mixture.

Allow to cool a bit before serving.

*Makes 4 portions. Can be frozen.