Care of the Baby

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1916

Teething

THE baby usually cuts his first tooth when he is from six to eight months old, and by the end of the first year has, ordinarily, six teeth. He should have twelve teeth at eighteen months of age; sixteen when he is two years old; and before the end of the third year, the entire set of twenty “milk” teeth.

The process of teething in a healthy baby cannot properly be held responsible for the illness commonly attributed to it. The first six teeth rarely give the baby any pain; but as the double teeth appear, there is occasionally at the same time a little disturbance, such as loss of appetite, and possibly evidences of slight indigestion, which may last for a few days. But if the disturbance is more serious than this, some other reason for it should be sought.

Teething takes place through the weaning period and during the second year, when mistakes in feeding are so often made which upset the baby's digestion, even if they do not make him seriously ill. On this account the teeth are often unjustly blamed for making the baby sick, when the real reason lies in the fact that he is overfed or improperly fed, or perhaps that the weather is very hot.

It must be remembered that excessive heat aggravates any ill the baby may have, and is quite sufficient in itself to make the baby sick. It is necessary in summer, therefore, both on account of the heat and because of the disturbances connected with weaning and teething, to take great care of the baby in all respects, and especially to feed him with great caution. Directions for feeding the baby are given in a pamphlet called “Infant Care,” which will be sent free to any one who asks for it, applying to the Chief of the Children's Bureau, United States Department of Labor, Washington, D. C.

The mother should never allow any one to persuade her to give the baby patent medicines, such as soothing sirups, to relieve the pain of teething. If they do relieve it, they probably contain opium in some form, which is much worse for the baby than the suffering. It is a safe rule never to give medicine of any sort to a baby, save that which is ordered by a doctor.

Care of the First Teeth

From the time when the double teeth make their appearance, the teeth should have daily care. For the baby a very soft brush is necessary, and the utmost care should be taken not to injure in any way the delicate tissues of the mouth when brushing the tiny teeth. After the baby has several teeth, the mother should see to it that no particles of solid food are left between them after the baby has eaten. If the first set of teeth is well taken care of, the second set will be healthier, and in addition the child will have been taught a good habit that will last all his life.

There is considerable variation in the time that the teeth first appear; but if the baby has no teeth by the time he is one year old, he should have medical attention to see if any disease is causing this unusual delay in the development of the teeth, or whether it is due to improper diet.