How do you know if it's teething or just a fussy baby?

Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the gum swelling - when my nephew was teething, you could see this little bump right before the tooth showed up. Did you ever notice if your baby chewed more on one side? I always wondered if that meant the tooth was coming in there.

Yeah, I noticed my kid would definitely favor one side when chewing on toys or even my fingers. I always assumed it meant that side was more sensitive or maybe the tooth was about to break through there. But then again, sometimes it switched sides and I couldn’t really tell if it was just comfort or actual teething pain. Did your nephew get extra drooly when the bump showed up? For us, the drool was a big clue, along with crankiness at night... but honestly, sometimes it was just a bad day and not teething at all.

It’s funny you mention the drool - when I was a kid, my mom used to say I was basically a faucet when new teeth were coming in. Now, after years of orthodontic work, I’m hyper-aware of anything teeth-related. My little cousin went through a phase where he’d only chew on one side too, and everyone kept saying it meant a tooth was close. But honestly, sometimes he’d just switch sides depending on the toy or even his mood. I think the crankiness and drool combo is a pretty good clue, but it’s not foolproof. There were days he was extra fussy and we all swore it had to be teething... then nothing would pop up for weeks.

I remember my own jaw feeling weird when my wisdom teeth started coming in, and I definitely favored one side just because it felt less sore - not always because something was about to break through. Kids are probably the same, just without the words to explain it. The guessing game never really ends, does it?

The guessing game never really ends, does it?

That’s the truth. I used to overanalyze every little thing - one day it’s “must be teething,” the next it’s “maybe just a bad nap?” It’s wild how much drool can happen without a single tooth showing up. I guess sometimes a fussy baby is just... being a baby.

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I don’t buy the whole “fussy baby is just being a baby” thing every time. I’ve seen patterns - like, my kid would get extra clingy, gnaw on everything, and have that weird rash on his chin right before a tooth popped through. Sure, drool and fussiness can mean a million things, but I think it’s worth tracking symptoms and timing. Sometimes it really is teething, not just random crankiness. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I’d rather overanalyze than miss something important.

I get what you mean about wanting to track everything and not just chalk it up to “babies being babies.” I’m a bit of a worrier myself, and with my own kids, I was always on high alert for any signs that something was off. I remember once, my daughter had this phase where she was just miserable - fussy, drooly, the whole nine yards. I kept telling myself it had to be teething, but then nothing showed up for weeks. It drove me nuts. I checked her gums every day like I was on a treasure hunt.

But then, when my son started teething, he had that exact rash on his chin you mentioned, and sure enough, a little tooth poked through a few days later. The thing that always made me second-guess myself was how similar all the signs were to just...a regular bad day. Sometimes it really is teething, but other times, it’s just a growth spurt or something else entirely.

I do think you’re onto something with tracking the timing and the specific symptoms. For me, I started jotting notes on my phone - like, “extra clingy today, gnawing on toys, rash on chin,” and then I’d look back and see if there was a pattern. It didn’t always give me clear answers, but it helped me feel a little more in control. The rash and the gnawing were usually my biggest clues, especially if they happened together. The drool alone wasn’t enough because my kids seemed to drool non-stop for months with nothing to show for it.

I guess I lean toward overanalyzing too, but honestly, I’d rather be the parent who checks too much than the one who misses something. It’s tough not to second-guess every little thing, but I figure as long as we’re paying attention and trusting our gut, we’re doing okay. Sometimes that’s all you can do.

I guess I lean toward overanalyzing too, but honestly, I’d rather be the parent who checks too much than the one who misses something.

Couldn’t agree more. I’m always second-guessing myself, especially when something new pops up. It’s so easy to feel like you’re missing something important, especially when you’re trying to be careful but also not go overboard. Tracking symptoms has helped me too, and honestly, it’s saved me from running to the doctor for every little thing (which is good, because those copays add up fast). You’re definitely not alone in wanting a little more control with all the uncertainty.

Tracking symptoms has helped me too, and honestly, it’s saved me from running to the doctor for every little thing (which is good, because those copays add up fast).

Funny thing, I actually found tracking made me more anxious at first. Every time my daughter got fussy, I’d go back through my notes and convince myself it was something new or serious. I get wanting to be thorough, but sometimes I think it’s okay to just ride out a cranky day without overthinking every detail. For me, I had to learn to trust my gut a bit more - not every grumpy spell is a sign of something bigger.

I totally get where you're coming from. I used to jot down every little thing when my grandkids were teething, thinking I could spot a pattern or magic sign. Honestly, it just made me second-guess everything - one day it was drooling, the next it was chewing on toys, and I’d wonder, is this it or just a bad mood? In my experience, even with all my dental work over the years, you can’t always pin it down. Sometimes they’re cranky for no clear reason. I still think tracking helps spot anything unusual, but I agree, you’ve got to step back sometimes and not let it drive you nuts. Kids have off days just like we do. I’ve learned to look for the big changes - like fever or rash - before worrying too much. Otherwise, a little fussiness usually passes on its own.

Kids have off days just like we do.

Ain’t that the truth. I remember when my teeth started acting up, I was cranky for weeks - and I had the words to complain with. Babies just have to drool and gnaw on everything in sight. Honestly, sometimes I think we’re all just looking for a reason when the little ones are fussy. Could be teeth, could be gas, could be the moon. If there’s no fever or rash, I try not to lose sleep over it. (Easier said than done, I know.)

I get what you mean about looking for any explanation when a kid’s cranky. When I was getting my braces adjusted, I’d be in a mood for days - at least I could say why. Babies just chew on everything and look miserable, and we’re left guessing. I’ve always thought the drool and constant chewing are pretty solid teething signs, but honestly, sometimes it’s just... them being babies.

I remember my nephew went through a phase where he was fussy for a week, and we were convinced it was teeth. Turned out he just didn’t like his new sippy cup. Go figure. Unless there’s a fever or something really off, I try to remind myself not to overthink it. Still, easier said than done when you’re running on three hours of sleep.

Man, I feel this. I swear, half the time I’m checking for new teeth and it’s just... nope, still gums. My kid drooled like a Saint Bernard for months before a single tooth showed up. You’re right, sometimes it’s just a random mood or - like you said - a sippy cup crisis. Hang in there. If there’s no fever or weird symptoms, I just try not to stress (or spend money on every teething toy in existence). Sleep deprivation makes everything feel like a mystery, honestly.

I remember when my grandkids were teething, it was always a guessing game. One day they’d be gnawing on everything in sight, the next it was just fussiness for no clear reason. Did you notice any swollen gums or that little white bump under the surface? Sometimes I’d think a tooth was coming any minute, but it’d be weeks. Do you find your little one wants to chew on cold things? That seemed to help ours, but honestly, sometimes it really was just a cranky day and nothing more. It’s tough not knowing for sure, isn’t it?

That’s exactly how it’s been for us - one day it’s all drooly smiles and gnawing on whatever’s within reach, and the next it’s just fussiness with no clear “sign.” I remember with my nephew, his gums would get kind of puffy, but I swear, sometimes I’d see that white bump and then… nothing for ages. The suspense! Cold washcloths were a hit, but honestly, sometimes he’d just toss them aside and want to cuddle instead.

I did always wonder if the crankiness was teething or just a rough patch - babies have moods like the rest of us, I guess. Did you ever notice if teething messed with their sleep? Ours would have a few nights where he’d wake up more, but again, it’s hard to say if it was teeth or just a growth spurt or something else entirely.

I totally get the confusion - sometimes it’s like, is this teething or just a “bad day”? But I have to admit, I’m not always convinced that every fussy patch is about teeth. With my daughter, I kept blaming teething for every little thing: drooling, weird naps, random crankiness. Then I started tracking her patterns and realized half the time, there was no tooth in sight for weeks after. The pediatrician even told me that teething gets blamed for a lot more than it actually causes.

When she was waking up more at night, I’d automatically reach for the teething gel or try frozen fruit in a mesh feeder, but sometimes nothing helped. Then two days later she’d be back to her usual self - no new teeth, no explanation. I think growth spurts or even just overstimulation can make babies cranky or mess with their sleep too. Plus, sometimes she’d have a low-grade fever and everyone around me would say “teething!” but the doctor said teething doesn’t really cause fevers above 100.4°F.

I do remember one time when she was about nine months old - she had what looked like a white bump on her gums and was gnawing on everything in sight. I got so worked up thinking we were finally getting a tooth...but nope, it disappeared and nothing happened for another month. It’s almost like their gums play tricks on us.

Honestly, sometimes I think we just want an answer for why our babies are fussy - makes us feel like we have some control over the chaos. But after stressing myself out trying to “diagnose” every mood swing as teething, I’m starting to just ride it out and focus on comfort instead of figuring out the exact cause every time. Not saying teething isn’t real (it definitely is!), but I don’t think it explains every rough patch.

Anyway, you’re right about the suspense - it’s wild how long you can wait for those teeth to actually show up.

Totally get what you mean about wanting answers for every fussy spell. I remember with my grandkids, we’d all crowd around, poking at their gums, convinced every little bump was a new tooth coming in. Most times, nothing happened for weeks.

“It’s almost like their gums play tricks on us.”

I’ve definitely been there - my youngest went through a stretch where we were convinced every cranky day meant a tooth was about to pop through. Sometimes it was, but honestly, more often it was just...nothing. I started looking for other signs, like drooling or chewing on things, but even then, sometimes it was just a rough day and not teething at all. It’s tough not having clear answers, especially when you just want to help them feel better.

That’s so relatable. When my nephew was teething, everyone kept pointing at the tiniest mood swing and saying “it’s gotta be a tooth.” But honestly, sometimes he’d just wake up grumpy and there was no tooth for weeks. Do you think the signs like chewing or drooling are reliable at all? Or is it just a guessing game every time? I always wondered if some kids just chew for fun...

I always wondered if some kids just chew for fun...

Honestly, I think you’re onto something. I remember when I first got braces, I chewed on my hoodie strings and pens all the time, just out of habit or boredom. Maybe babies do the same? Drooling and chewing don’t always mean teeth are coming in - sometimes it’s just their thing.

Drooling and chewing don’t always mean teeth are coming in - sometimes it’s just their thing.

Ha, this brings back memories. My daughter used to gnaw on literally anything she could get her hands on - remote controls, her own toes, the dog’s tail (don’t ask). We thought every week was “the week” for teething, but nope, just a baby with a chewing hobby. Sometimes it’s just boredom or curiosity. I guess some kids are just born to be professional chewers.