Teething For many babies, teething is tough. As new teeth push up and start to emerge, little gums become swollen and tender. Your once calm, placid baby may disappear....... temporarily. Sometimes you can see or feel the swelling of a new tooth bud. Other teething signs to look for include: Loss of appetite Eating and breastfeeding stimulates blood flow to your baby's mouth, which can make sore gums even more sensitive. So your baby might not want to eat as much as usual. Anything touching your baby's mouth may not be tolerated. Restlessness and irritability If your baby's gums are hurting, they're likely to be irritable and unhappy. Add to that difficulty going to sleep and some nights of unsettled sleep due to the discomforts and it's easy to understand why your little one is tired and grumpy. Flushed cheeks As teeth push through the gums, irritation can cause one or both of your baby's cheeks to become red. Gnawing on hard objects Chewing down on blocks, your fingers, toys or anything else they can grab gives a little relief. Biting may become apparent at this stage too. Lots of drooling The tell tale dribble can cause a rash around your baby's mouth, chin and neck.