Let's be honest - it's not an easy time for either of you. As the first teeth start to push their way through the gum line, they can cause your baby some discomfort - commonly known as teething. Some children suffer more than others. The good news is that the pain from each tooth should stop as soon as it's visible.

You'll notice the symptoms even before the teeth come through those little gums. Here are some of the things to look for:

• Swollen gums
• More dribbling than usual
• Hot red cheeks
• Irritability
• Even more of a desire to chew on things than usual!

If your child has other symptoms, such as a fever, it's probably not due to teething. Consult your doctor as usual.

There are several things you can do to help your children cope with teething:

• Extra cuddles and TLC are the best place to start.
• Giving them a chilled (but not frozen hard) teething ring to chew on may help to soothe the gums.
• Ask your doctor or dentist to recommend a sugar-free infant teething gel. You should always consult a doctor before giving your children any kind of medication -particularly when they are young.
• Never rub alcohol on your children's gums or place an aspirin against the tooth or gum.