If there’s one thing I learned after having two children, it’s this:

Teething experiences can be wildly different from one baby to another.

My first child really seemed to suffer with teething from a very young age. He started showing signs at around 10 weeks old, which felt incredibly early at the time, and we would almost always know when a tooth was on the way because his whole mood would change beforehand.

He became fussier, clingier, more unsettled and generally much harder to soothe. Looking back now, I can still remember those exhausted evenings of trying everything to comfort him.

Then along came his sister and she seemed far less bothered by teething overall. Sometimes we’d suddenly notice a new tooth had appeared and realise we hadn’t even known one was coming through!

That’s why I always tell parents that there really is no “normal” when it comes to teething. We've known customers whose baby hasn't had a single tooth at 14 months and customers with babies born with two teeth already erupted!

So… how long does teething pain actually last?

For many babies, teething discomfort tends to come in waves.

Parents often notice symptoms:

• a few days before a tooth appears
• during the tooth cutting through the gum
• and sometimes for a short while afterwards

For some babies, this may only last a couple of days.

For others, particularly babies who seem more sensitive to teething, it can feel like an ongoing cycle on and off throughout the entire teething journey.

And because babies usually get 20 milk teeth in total, there can definitely be periods where it feels relentless as a parent.

Common signs of teething discomfort

Every baby is different, but some common signs include:

• chewing hands constantly
• dribbling more than usual
• red cheeks
• irritability
• disturbed sleep
• sore gums
• wanting extra comfort and cuddles
• chewing absolutely everything they can get their hands on

Some babies barely react at all.

Others seem genuinely miserable.

Neither experience is unusual.

What helped us during teething

One thing that used to help calm our babies a little was something called Camilia, which is often used in homeopathic remedies aimed at soothing teething discomfort.

We also found Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders very helpful at times, and I know they’re still available now.

Of course, every family is different and what works for one baby may not work for another, but I remember how grateful I felt whenever we found something that seemed to bring him even a little relief.

Alongside that, we used:

• cooling teethers
• gentle gum massage
• distraction and cuddles
• and later on, teething toys he could independently hold and chew himself

That desire to help babies self-soothe more easily is actually what eventually led me to invent the Gummee Glove in the first place.

A little reassurance for tired parents

I think one of the hardest parts of teething is that it can make parents feel helpless.

You can’t fully explain to your baby what’s happening, and when they’re upset, overtired and uncomfortable, it can feel emotionally exhausting for everyone involved.

But if you’re currently in the thick of teething with a grumpy, dribbly baby attached to your hip, you are absolutely not alone.

Most parents I know have had moments of pacing the kitchen at 2am wondering whether another tooth is on the way.

And eventually, somehow, you all get through it together.