Is He Teething??

I know you have gotten a lot of responses but teething does not cause a fever. The only thing that causes a fever is some kind of virus. He may be teething as well but if the fever keeps up you should take him to the doctor because something else is going on.
My son started the same thing around that age and didn't get his first tooth until he was 8 months old.

If you do think it is teething try some oragel on his gums and if that seems to ger rid of the crankiness then I would believe it it iteething and also giving tylenol will help if he is uncomfortable. Give it a shot it isn't going to hurt anything to give it a shot. If that doesn't seem to help make him an appointment with his doctor.

Sounds like teething. A friend told us to give our son frozen pizza crust to knaw on when he's teething. The coldness and chewiness of the crust really helped sooth his gums.

When my middle son was young he suffered from a lot of ear infections. We did not have insurance and to get into the free clinic sometimes was near impossible. The doctor there told me to gently tug on the top of his ear. If he really starting to cry in pain then to come in because it was an ear infection, most probably. Apparently doctors in this capacity are more willing to give practical info to caregivers than other doctors.

why wait & depend on guessing? Just a quick visit to the doctor will ease your mind & prevent damage if it is an ear infection. At age 3 1/2 months, the gnawing on hands could also mean your child is ready to try cereal or is just hungry.

It sounds like teething to me, but watch for the usual signs of an ear infection too. Sometimes they have no signs and have an ear infection, it's hard to tell, but anymore they say they get better just as quickly with no antibiotics and many drs don't prescribe them for an ear infection. Teething can go on for months before you see any teeth (but both my kids had teeth between 4 and 5 months). Teething shouldn't get worse, though. It always makes me feel better to call the dr office.

K.

My son also began chewing on his hand (and everything else) at around three months and I was convinced he would get teeth early. At one year, he still has no teeth, no sign of teeth, and still puts EVERYTHING in his mouth. That's how many babies explore their world. If you don't see teeth near the surface, I would take him to the pediatrician to put your mind at ease. That way, just in case something is wrong you can have it checked. A low grade fever that lasts over 24 hours I would feel better having checked.

My daughter is doing the same thing. I give her "Little Teethers". They are homeopathic teething tablets that dissolve and are 100% natural(you can get them at Wal-Mart)I moisten them first and then squish them so she doesn't choke because they take a while to dissolve. It really helps!! Good Luck!

it probably is teething, but like with your friend's baby, there's always a chance it might not be. see if you can feel any swelling or see any redness on the gums, maybe that will allay your fears. give your pediatrician's office a call and they may say it's okay to give him some baby motrin. usually that will lower the fever, reduce swelling, and help a lot. or they might just tell you to bring him in (mine always did, although i think that was a stock answer for them). if not and you're still worried, feel free to take him in, since that's what they're there for. i always wished i had one of those ear looker thingys and knew what to look for, for an ear infection - my son had several his first year and i never thought that's what it was since he never grabbed at his ears at all. it sure would have helped! good luck!

Hi A.,

Im thinking it could be an ear infection..:( poor little guy! Um, when my oldest son was that age, we went through alot of that.. and as I recall, he knawed and drooled and also had a low grade fever as well. I would get him into the pediatrition...or, at least call the nurses line at his dr's office.

Good Luck!

Hi A.,

My son began doing all of the same things at 4 months. A child will show symptoms long before you see their teeth. When I took my son to his doctor, I asked if he was teething. He explained there really is no sure fire way to tell until you see the teeth budding. He explained that babies drool even when they aren't teething. Normally when babies are hungry they will put their hands in their mouth and drool. In my opinion it sounds like he is at the begining stages of teething. However, if you ever have questions about your son's well being, call your pediatrition and see what they reccomend. Sometimes it can be an ear infection, but from what you have described, it sounds like what my son went through. Good luck to you.

A. H.

A., He is giving all the signs of teething. My son did this on and off for 3 months before he actually got his first tooth. Of course, keep a close watch and if you think he might have the ear infection call your doctor. (The teething symptoms can sometimes cause an ear infection).

Take care, M.

It's very possible that he is teething....my son started teething at 3 months & didn't cut teeth until he was 6 months. Good luck & God Bless!

It could be the start of teething, but the teeth might not come in for months. Give him things to chew on. Chewy blankets with cold water or that have been in the fridge are good. My kids always developed a cough with the ear infections. usually a teething bout gos on for a couple days. If it goes on longer then be concerned about other possibilities.