Is my baby teething?

[pamirka]

DD is 12 weeks old and in the last week has started doing some serious dribbling. She's also just learnt to hold things and shove them in her mouth and now seems to be constantly sucking on something, preferably material (bib/blankie/whatever!) or her/my fingers. She seems to be crying a bit more than normal, especially around bedtime. She's feeding and sleeping normally.
I've read that babies may start doing this around a month or two before they start teething. Is this true, and if so, are we going to have to put up with the permanent dampness and unexpected bursts of crying for that long? Is 12 weeks too young to get a first tooth? I can't see anything on her bottom gum, it's just pink as normal.
If this is teething, is there anything I can do? She's got a good teething rattle but she only chews on it for a bit before she drops it or loses interest.

Babies can start feeling sensitive around the gums a while before teeth come through. I doubt she'll feel like this constantly, just little on and off phases.

This could be the beginning of teething but it doesn't mean that a tooth will pop through with in the next couple of weeks. It could just be her gums hardening and getting ready and the teeth moving round underneath her gums.
I think Ashton and Parsons Powder is 3month onwards try some of that its fantastic imo also if it seems like she is crying because she is in pain try some Calpol I know that drs a HV's usually say its fine in small doseage from 3 months. They usually reccommedd it after injections. Hope I have helped

same with DS... HV said it was teething. its calmed down now no teeth though! DS is 20 weeks.

Thanks for both those messages. I've just given her a bit of Calpol and I'll see if that seems to make a difference.
NB What does HV mean? I'm new to these boards and not up with my abbreviations!

Just got it - health visitor, right?

yop

Yes honey I was like that about 2weeks ago lol

I can but try! DD still grizzling a bit but maybe she's bored of me posting messages and wants some quality Mum play time!

Oh just an idea with what I done with dd when baby gets a bit older. When she can start holding things properly and puts them to her mouth with out ramming the whole lot in there try cutting up a carrot into blocks and put them in the freezer. I found that worked brilliantly for my dd

I didnt mean blocks I ment sticks sorry lol

Mmm, frozen carrots... may have to try that myself! Thanks for all this, it's great to get such quick and useful responses.