HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Teething
Te whakaputa niho
Most pēpi (babies) start to show their pēpi teeth when they are around 6 months old. As the teeth push through their gums, pēpi can become irritable. They may have unsettled sleep, drool or dribble more and may go off their food a bit.
Teething symptoms
Teething symptoms happen in stages as each new tooth comes through and continues until your tamaiti (child) is around 3 years old.
Most pēpi seem to get relief from cooling their gums and chewing. You could try a facecloth run under cold water for your pēpi to chew on. Or you can use a specific teething toy that you can put in the fridge (not the freezer).
Teething does not make your pēpi sick. If your pēpi is unwell, check with your Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse or your general practice team.
The following links give more information and advice about what to expect and how to help your pēpi while they are teething.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- KidsHealth – Caring for your baby's teeth
Pages about what you need to know about your baby's teeth, including what happens when your pēpi is teething.
- Health Information and Services – Teething
Information about teething and caring for your child’s teeth.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2025.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HILAT-75077
