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Is rubbing the ears and cheeks a sign of teething?
Q: My daughter is 4 months old and has her two bottom teeth showing. She seems irritable and rubs her ears and cheeks a lot. Are these teething symptoms? If so, what can I do to relieve her discomfort? I bought four different kinds of teethers but they all seem to be either too hard or too big for her mouth. Any suggestions?
A:
There are a variety of reasons your daughter may be pulling on her ears. Since the ears and cheeks share nerve pathways, gum pain may affect both. But her tugging may also be a sign of an ear infection. Only your child's pediatrician will be able to rule out ear infections. In the meantime, try some of these teeth soothing remedies to see if they help your daughter:
- Let your daughter chew on a clean, damp washcloth that you have chilled in the freezer.
- When your baby starts solids, try giving her a frozen banana to suck on.
- Rub your finger along her gums.
- Offer her an icy cold bottle of water.
- Give her a pain reliever. (Check with your child's pediatrician for the right dose.)
- Try teething gels, often available in the baby section of your local grocery store.
I hope some of these remedies work for your little one.
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