I watched my daughter on the floor, her tiny fingers shoved into her mouth, gnawing away at the discomfort radiating from her gums. Teething was relentless, but so was she. Between moments of frustration, she babbled, smiled, and pressed forward—literally. She hadn’t quite figured out crawling yet, but that didn’t stop her from trying. Instead of staying stuck, she twisted and turned, eventually shifting her body from front to back with sheer determination.
And that’s when it hit me—babies instinctively push through discomfort. They don’t stop to doubt themselves. They don’t question whether the pain is a sign to give up. They don’t wait until the struggle is over to move forward. They just keep going.
Somewhere along the way, we lose that.
As adults, we face our own teething moments—not the literal kind, but the ones that bring discomfort, irritation, and growing pains. A new job that stretches us beyond our comfort zone. A heartbreak that gnaws at our peace. A season of grief that feels never-ending. We feel the pressure, the ache, the unfamiliarity of it all, and too often, we pause. We wait for the pain to pass before we move forward.
But watching my daughter, I realized—babies don’t wait. They grow through it. And so can we.
Teething: The First Lesson in Growth
Teething is one of the first real challenges a baby faces, and yet, they instinctively find ways to cope. They chew, they gnaw, they soothe themselves the best way they can. Some days are harder than others, but the process is necessary—those teeth will eventually help her nourish herself, speak clearly, and navigate the world. The pain serves a purpose.
Isn’t that true for us, too? The painful moments in life aren’t pointless. They are shaping us, preparing us for what’s next. Growth hurts, but it’s making us stronger.
A Quick Look at Teething
Most babies start teething around 4-7 months, with the bottom front teeth appearing first. By their first birthday, they typically have a few more. The hardest stages tend to be when the molars come in (around 12-18 months) because they’re bigger and push through tender gums. By age 3, most little ones have all 20 baby teeth—just in time to start using them for all the snacks they love!
Teething isn’t fun, but babies find ways to cope. And that’s something we, as adults, need to remember. We don’t have to pretend it doesn’t hurt. We just have to keep going, finding what soothes us in the process.
Soothing Through the Growing Pains
Here are some ways babies—and adults—can navigate discomfort:
For Babies (Teething Tips)
Cold Comfort – A chilled washcloth or frozen breast milk popsicle can help numb sore gums.
Gentle Massage – A clean finger or a baby-safe gum massager can ease irritation.
Extra Cuddles – Sometimes, the best remedy is simply being held.
For Adults (Self-Soothing Through Growth)
Finding Healthy Outlets – Whether it’s journaling, prayer, movement, or deep conversations, we all need ways to process discomfort.
Allowing Ourselves to Feel – Just like babies cry when it hurts, we have to give ourselves space to acknowledge pain instead of suppressing it.
Remembering the Purpose – Growth feels uncomfortable, but it’s necessary. Just like teething brings future nourishment, our struggles are preparing us for something greater.
Pushing Through: What Babies Teach Us About Resilience
My daughter doesn’t let her teething pain stop her from discovering the world. She keeps moving, keeps trying, keeps smiling through the discomfort. And in that, she reminds me—so should I.
The next time life presents a growing pain, I hope we all remember the lesson our little ones show us every day. The struggle isn’t the end of the story. It’s just part of the process. And just like them, we are stronger than we think. We can grow through it.
And we will.
Until Next Time,
Keep Living!
Love, Loren
Living with Loren 
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