One of the most difficult things about infant care for new parents is not being able to communicate with their child to know what’s causing them discomfort. In particular, many new parents have trouble distinguishing the signs of teething from being sick. This is understandable as babies become more vulnerable to mild illness at around the time they begin teething, and the signs can look very similar. Here are a few tips to help you distinguish between the two.

3 Tips to Differentiate Teething and Sickness in Infants

1. Evaluate Their Irritability

The feeling of brand new baby teeth pushing through their gums is uncomfortable and new, two factors that can alter an infant's mood quickly. This leads to a fussy, irascible disposition, but it doesn't cause so much discomfort and pain as to make them inconsolable. If your baby is wanting to be held more often, being fussy, or feeling irritable, it's likely they're teething. However, if they are crying and can't be comforted, or if they're losing sleep, that is a sign of illness. 

2. Check Their Temperature

To many parents' surprise, teething can cause elevated temperatures in babies. Pediatricians have shown that the days surrounding a tooth's emergence can lead to a body temperature increase of about a degree or two. However, this isn't high enough to count as a fever. If you think your baby feels too hot, take their temperature. If it's over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, then it's a fever and you should see a doctor. If it's lower than that, the baby probably just has a tooth coming soon. 

3. Watch Their Appetite

When teething, it's common for a baby to drool excessively and chew on just about anything they can get their hands on. However, it may make them less enthusiastic about eating solid foods, which can irritate their gums. They should still show a regular appetite, but they may be more interested in breastfeeding or liquids. If your baby seems to have a depressed appetite and isn't eating liquids or solids, that's a sign of a cold. 

If you're a busy parent who needs help with infant care, reach out to Tiny Worlds Child Care Inc. in Brookline, MA. These infant care specialists strive to offer a caring and nurturing environment for children of all ages and abilities. Get in touch with them online, or call (617) 232-0115 to ask about enrollment.