Introduction
On this page, you’ll find information about everyday care for your older baby.
Find tips to support your baby as they start teething and learn how to brush and care for their teeth.
As your baby becomes stronger, more coordinated, and more mobile, their risk of injury increases. Learn which injury areas need your attention at this age and stage of development.
Teeth and mouth
Teething
Teething usually starts at about 6 months. It continues off and on until your child is around 3 years old, when they have all 20 of their baby teeth.
Teething is not an illness. It’s a normal and temporary process. It does not cause diarrhea, fever or vomiting. These are signs that your baby is sick and are not related to teething. Learn more about these and other common health concerns.
Teething may be uncomfortable for your baby and you may find that they:
- Are fussy and restless
- Have more saliva and drool
- Have swollen gums
When your baby is teething:
- Give them lots of love.
- Gently rub their gums with your clean finger.
- Give them a cold, clean cloth or solid teething ring to chew on—try the kind that can be cooled in the fridge.
If you’re thinking of using medicine for teething, talk with your health care provider. Teething products, such as gels, are not recommended. Some teething gels contain the medicine lidocaine or benzocaine, which can make your baby sick or numb their throat making it hard for them to swallow. If you choose to use natural teething products, choose products with a Health Canada Natural Product Number (NPN). To learn more about teething and teething products, visit:
If your baby seems very uncomfortable, call Health Link at 811 or talk with your health care provider. Something other than teething may be causing your baby’s discomfort.
Teething necklaces are not safe for babies
Teething necklaces can catch on furniture, hooks or other objects and can strangle your baby.
Brushing your baby’s teeth
Brush your baby’s teeth twice a day as soon as they appear—once in the morning and again before bedtime. At first, your baby may resist you brushing their teeth, but as you keep trying in a calm and gentle way, soon they’ll get used to it. Start to floss teeth once they touch each other. Regular brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent tooth decay. Replace your baby’s toothbrush when the bristles become flat.
When you brush your baby’s teeth:
- Take off your rings and bracelets—they have germs on them and could scratch your baby’s face.
- Wash your hands.
- Hold your baby securely in a position that lets you easily see and reach all of their teeth.
- Use a soft-bristle, child-sized toothbrush and an amount of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than the size of a grain of rice.
- Hold the bristles against your baby’s teeth where they meet the gums.
- Move the brush gently in small circles for about 10 seconds. Move to the next tooth.
- Brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces (tops) of your baby’s teeth.
If you have concerns about your baby’s teeth, talk with your dentist. To learn more about basic dental care, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Basic Dental Care.
Keeping your baby’s teeth healthy
Clean your baby’s teeth every day to help keep them healthy and to prevent tooth decay. Remember to check for tooth decay regularly. Many foods have natural or added sugars in them that can lead to tooth decay.
To keep your baby’s teeth healthy:
- Avoid snacks that stick to teeth (e.g., teething biscuits and cookies).
- Offer water if your baby is thirsty between meals and snacks.
- Take your baby off of your breast or remove the bottle before they fall asleep. Propping a bottle in your baby’s mouth is not advised. It can cause choking due to the presence of liquid in your baby’s mouth. It can also cause tooth decay.
Over time, habits such as sucking on soothers, blankets, toys or fingers can also affect the health of your baby’s mouth and teeth. Learn more about soothers.
Going to the dentist
- Take your baby to the dentist by their 1st birthday or within 6 months after their first tooth comes in—whichever comes first.
- Dental problems are easier and less expensive to treat when they’re found early.
- Your dentist will set up a schedule for dental visits that best meets your family’s needs.
Health checkups
- Recommended checkups
- Well child clinic visits
In this Section:
Recommended checkups
Regular health checkups for your baby with their health care providers will help you know how your baby is growing and developing. Their health care providers will ask about the foods your baby eats, check your baby’s general health and development, measure your baby’s weight, length and head size, and track how much your baby has grown from one visit to the next on a growth chart.
Learn more about health checkups to keep children healthy and safe at any age.
Call Health Link at 811 or your health care provider, if your baby has any of the following:
- does not turn to your voice by 9 months
- does not babble or talk or has stopped babbling
- does not say any single words by 12 months
- has any other signs that concern you
Well child clinic visits
Your baby is due for their next immunizations at 6 and 12 months. Phone your community or public health centre ahead of time to make appointments. If your baby’s immunizations are not up to date, contact your community or public health centre and talk with your public health nurse about how to get your baby back on schedule. During your visit, your public health nurse will also check things such as your baby’s growth, how they’re feeding, and answer any questions you have.
- Learn more about public health nurses
- Learn more about immunizations
Preventing injuries
Now that your baby is older, they’re stronger, and can move more easily on their own. They can reach, pull things over, grab things that move and open cupboards. They go from being able to roll in both directions, to crawling, to pulling themselves up, to walking. Your baby is also improving their fine motor co-ordination and will continue to explore and play by putting things in their mouth. Their risk of injury increases as they move around more on their own and they are not yet able to learn what is dangerous and what is not.
For their age and stage of development, here are some areas that need attention to keep your older baby safe from injuries:
- Falls
- Safe sleep
- Burns and scalds
- Water safety
- Choking and poisoning
- Pet and animal safety
- Car seats
Learn more about preventing injuries in the early years.
Eyes on, hands on
Older babies need an adult within sight and reach at all times. They cannot yet understand what is dangerous and what is not. Everything looks new and interesting to them, so they’ll want to play and explore it all.
Your baby likes to copy you
When taking medicine, do it away from your baby. They often copy what they see their parents doing.
Window screens
Window screens are meant to keep bugs out. They are not strong enough to keep children in. To help prevent falls, install window guards on windows higher than ground level and always supervise your child.