Teething Relief Thread

[dana b]

any tricks to dealing with nasty molars? my dd has 2 huge ones cutting through and has been screaming her head off for 2 days now. this is the first time i've even had to give her tylenol and it doesn't seem to be doing much for her. i'm dreading another day of this :(

[2labradogs]

Hey Dana - it's Santa Barbara. Don't have any wonderful advice, but I do have sympathy since we just went through that. The molars were tough, but thankfully it doesn't last long - just a few days. Good luck and keep giving the Tylenol, it seemed to work a little bit for my boys.

[chandy]

Elliot seemed to get a little bit more relief from the infant motrin than from tylenol. I've only had to use it a couple of times, but it got us through some nasty nights.

[Jen1098]

Hi Dana

We asked a pharmacist about motrin for teething and she said motrin was better than tylenol for teething. I'm thinking maybe b/c it lasts longer. Poor Noa-we haven't gotten the molars yet. I'm dreading those.

[Sal03]

poor noa :( I have also heard motrin is good for teething, something with it lasting longer and helping with swelling. ask your ped. Or follow my grandma's advice everytime dylan gets a tooth...put a little brandy on the gums. she says her kids never had a problem with teething and it works like a charm :rolleyes:

[December27JJB]

My mom put a little beer on my gums when I was teething, she swore it worked. I've heard people use Brandy.

[jki]

I second/third/fourth trying Motrin instead of Tylonel.

Will Noa take ice chips? Jackson LOVES them - he bites them and I think that the coldness numbs his gums... the relief is obviously temporary and I think it's a choking hazard, but my motto is whatever works.

[dana b]

hi sb! glad to hear it won't last long, i was thinking molars took like a month to come in.

chandy, jen, sal, jki i had a feeling motrin would be better, i'm gonna go get some when she wakes up.

december that's so funny. i wish my old mexican grandma was still alive, my mom said she used to put whiskey/brandy on us. noa screamed for almost 2 hrs before she fell asleep last night, i may have to hit up the liquor cabinet tonight.

[NicoleWisconsin]

Ibuprofen (Motrin) contains an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) only contains a pain reliever.

[dana b]

it's settled...motrin is much better for teething than tylenol. another thing that helped--cut up frozen fruit (i used mango). i did try the brandy (desperate times call for desperate measures), i'm convinced these grandmothers of ours just gave the babies shots of liquor out of desperation, the rubbing it on did nothing. this has been such a week :(

[monique]

a great thing to try is Hylands Teething Tablets. They are all natural and work nicely to get the instant relief. I use them in conjunction with the motrin and tylenol.

I also put wet washcloths in the freezer and let DS chew on them when they are frozen. Another way to go is putting crushed up ice in a ziplock baggie and letting him chew on that or also just a bag of frozen veggies.

My DS also loves to just chew on an unused phone cord that I snipped off the ends as it massages both sides of his gums.

[twinnyme]

Bumping this thread because I need help.... I think we are finally going through some teething pains with DD - who is 7 months old. This week she has been VERY whiny and clingy and nothing seems to help. Luckily, it hasn't affected her sleep at all; she's still STTN. But I must have cycled through at least 20 teething toys (some kept in the fridge, some not) and none of them seem to be helping. She's trying to shove all of them way back into her mouth (and none of them seem made for that) but I thought the first teeth to come in (she has none) are the upper front two or the bottom front two (I can't remember which), but it seems like maybe the first to come in for her may be in the back.... Can that be?

I haven't used any Tylenol or Motrin or the Hyland teething tablets (though they've come highly recommended; I may go buy some today - where do you typically get them? Drugstore or supermarket?).

Please help! Also, any suggestions for particularly good teething toys (or other items) you've used?

ETA: I've been holding off because we go to the pediatrician's tomorrow, and I was hoping he might be able to get into her mouth (she rarely lets me in) to see if she really is teething. I don't want to medicate her unnecessarily.

[BTB]

Baby Orajel. I carried the tube around in my pocket when my wisdom teeth were coming in, and the stuff is magical. Tastes fine, works super fast, lasts a while. Good stuff. :)

[catmom]

So dd's first tooth popped through on saturday. For about the past week, getting her to bed has been horrible... it takes about 3-4 hours to get her to bed, even though she's really tired. We have been giving her tylenol, but it only helps so much. How long should we expect this to continue? We're all totally exhausted here. Also, how long will it be before we see tooth #2? I thought they usually arrived in pairs.

[KiKi'sMommy]

All I have to say is TEETHING TABLETS!!! Those things ROCK! They melt away in their mouth and a few minutes later my DD is usually asleep!

[BooeyJ2]

I'm really not much help since we've pretty much lucked out so far. Paige didn't show any real signs of teething besides drool. One day we saw tiny specks of white...the next day her 2 bottom teeth were out! On Saturday we noticed her top gums were pretty swollen and we knew that soon her top 2 front teeth would be out. Well...Sunday morning they were OUT! She got hers in pairs (bottom 2 and then top 2) and both times they have literally popped out overnight. Yep, she'll be 6 months old this Friday and already has 4 teeth. She got the bottom 2 at around 4 1/2 months. The 2 newest popped out yesterday. It's nuts.

She's been sleeping pretty much the same except for last night when she decided to wake up at 4:30am and talk/babble to herself for 30 minutes and then cry. We could tell her teeth were bothering her so we rubbed some Baby Orajel on her gums and also gave her some Tylenol. She was back to sleep about 5 minutes after that.

Maybe try some Orajel?

I also remember reading about some brand of teething tablets. We haven't tried them, but other moms swear by them :)


Hopefully those pearly whites will be out soon and your little girl will be back to her old self :)

[Winter Biscuit]

I think every baby will be different so you might get lots of different responses. If it helps at all, my DD's 2nd tooth broke through about a week after her first one. I, too, remember being a little puzzled when only one tooth poked through. I remember thinking, "OK, so you are teething. That explains why you've been so crabby lately. But...where's the other one?!" A week later - voila - it was there.

[gizzyntaz]

Teeth Suck! That's all I can say... as we live the hell of canine teeth as I type this... {hugs}

[Winter Biscuit]

I also remember reading about some brand of teething tablets.

I think it's Hylands teething tablets or something like that. We didn't try them, but like BooeyJ2, I've heard plenty of people swear by them.

[Allegra]

Hylands work nicely but the BEST BEST thing in the WORLD for our DD was a frozen washcloth! OMG she about lunges at it.
Allegra

[catmom]

Thanks for the suggestions! So should things calm down after the second tooth pops through? Or will it continue to hurt as the teeth finish coming in? The first tooth is still just barely out... you can't see it yet, but you can feel it. I don't really know how long it takes a tooth to come in all the way once it's cleared the gum.

[dana b]

my dd is only fussy when they're just about to break through. once i can actually see the tips of them, she's back to normal.

[Koala_Gurl]

We are so bad...I freeze the teething rings, and DD LOVES that!

[lorbo]

DS got four teeth within a week and now has 6-all within a month. if your baby is over 6 months, ibuprofen is the way to go-it's longer lasting than tylenol and as soon as i give it to DS, he's much more comfortable.

[BooeyJ2]

DS got four teeth within a week and now has 6-all within a month. if your baby is over 6 months, ibuprofen is the way to go-it's longer lasting than tylenol and as soon as i give it to DS, he's much more comfortable.


What brand do you reccommend?

[lorbo]

we use the infant drops-target brand-DH is trying to get the bigger bottle-re:children's formula because it's cheaper and it's the same thing-we'd just have to calculate a correct dose-and I'm soooo not comfortable with that-so i'll be buying the infant drops of ibuprofen.

[SarahKatG]

Teeth Suck! That's all I can say... as we live the hell of canine teeth as I type this... {hugs}

Ditto!

[Lydia]

Help!

My once-sweet baby has turned into a cranky monster and I think it's because of her teeth. Last Sunday her 2 bottom teeth started to break through and I could tell she was in pain. I gave her a dose of Tylenol. And then again the next night...and again the next night...and every night for 8 nights now. I feel like it's too much. It's only once a night but for so long?

I can see them peeking through her gums so maybe the end is in sight? She gets SO angry at night it's really hard to console her. She used to be so good...waking up once a night to nurse. Now it's at least twice and it takes so much longer to get her back to sleep.

We also started rice cereal last Sunday. Any correlation? Should I stop the cereal for a couple of nights and see how she is?

[Cali_Katy]

My DS is starting to teethe, and he's also cranky at night because of it. I'll be very anxious to see responses to this thread. I'm curious: how long from the time a tooth first appears to the time it's fully out? Right now I can see a little teeny white spot on his gum.

[HGMorgann]

I probally would quit the cereal at night and see if it helps her tummy. A gassy or rumbly tummy and teeth could just be tooo much for her.

Good luck! Teething is no fun. My daughter's teeth have been starting to come through for the past 2 months, but still not broken all the way through, so it can be a while, but not every day is bad, it usually is a bad 3-4 days, then a good week or two, then back to bad for a couple of days. Poor things!

[Lydia]

Maybe I'll try Motrin too instead of Tylenol?

[HGMorgann]

I think you are supposed to wait until 6 mo. to do Motrin, but we did this too at 5 mo. and it seemed to help the most. Ibuprofin helps take away swelling, so I think that is why it helped more.

I try not to do Tylenol/Motrin for more than 3 nights in a row.

[Koala_Gurl]

Have you tried the teething toys that you put in the freezer? DD is teething, and LOVES to bite on these.

I would also stop the cereal just for a bit too, to make sure it isn't the cereal causing tummy issues (I think rice cereal can be constipating.)

[KiKi'sMommy]

The Hyland Teething Tablets that disolve in their mouth has saved our lives! They work instantly and very well. They are natural, so I feel better about using them than tylenol.

[Adam's Pi]

Another recommendation for the Hyland's (you can find them at Wal-Mart or a similar store). Right now DS is getting a few teeth in and I find the most effective 'routine' for us is to give him Motrin--although I would wait on the Motrin until 6 months or unless you call your ped and get the ok-- then Hyland's right before I nurse him. The Hyland's works quickly and provides enough relief that he can nurse. Nursing also helps make him feel better. After nursing for a bit the Motrin has kicked in, and he can get to sleep.

FYI--Motrin works faster and the effects last longer than Tylenol. Your ped may ok you to give your child Motrin.

No idea about the cereal, we never gave it to DS so I'm not sure what it may do to your child's tummy. It may be a good place to start though, in trying to determine what is bothering her.

[Lydia]

We are using the tabs and they seem sort of pointless...I ate a couple myself. Maybe they numb her?

[Kates]

Just wondering if anyone has used Camilia (or Chamomilla) for teething?
Camilia teething liquid (http://www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/56731)
TIA!

Kate:)

[AndreaMMS]

If there is already a thread on this, please just point me to it....

My daughter is teething and completely MISERABLE. I am not exaggerating when I say that from the moment she wakes up until the moment she falls asleep she is whining/crying 90% of the time since Saturday. Nothing sems to be helping much - frozen things to chew on, teethers, tylenol, orajel, motirn, hylands tablets.

My Mom and Mother-In-Law keep telling me to try rubbing alcohol/brandy on her gums, but I'm not thrilled with that idea for obvious reasons...though my resolve is weakening!

Seriously, if you could help me with suggestions I would be so greatful- I'm about to loose my mind.

Andrea

[LexyLou]

Uggg, it sounds like you are doing all the right things.

I've found that the teething tablets work quickly but wear off quickly, while the Motrin takes at least 30 minutes to kick in but works for 6+ hours.

Does she wake up at all in the middle of the night? If so I would dose her up then so when she wakes up in the morning the pain doesn't all hit her at once.

What I do is give the tablets, wait 5 or so minutes and give the motrin. So the tablets are working while the motrin is making it's way in to her system. Then I give her more teething tablets about 5 hours later to take the edge off again.

Also, my DD has been chomping on Zweiback toast on and off all day. That seems to help her.

I haven't used it, but Kimthebride's DC was using this Massaging Action Teether by The First Years:

http://thefirstyears.com/products/images/large/1479.jpg


and she said it was awesome.

Good luck and hopefully those teeth break thru soon.

[Dreshny]

It's not for everyone, but this amber teething necklace from www.novanatural.com seems to work for us:

http://www.novanatural.com/images/files/1040000/1009200/1001616i_1009060f.jpeg

The amber is supposed to have natural calming, healing properties (it's not meant to be chewed.) Every bead is individually knotted to prevent choking.

Honestly, I don't know if it works, but we've never really had a bad teething day since we got it. Plus, it looks cool. :)

The vibrating teether that LexyLou posted is also good.

Hope Naomi feels better soon!

[cr8zyforaf]

I've also used cloves...the spice - rub it right on her gums...I rubbed it on my gums and it does have a numbing/tingling affect.

So sorry- DD was also like this for a few weeks when her top four were cutting..it was AWFUL...

[cr8zyforaf]

ps - I also use the vibrating teether...also...I freeze a washcloth which she seemed to love/use more than the store bought teethers.

[kimthebride]

Things that have worked for Thomas:

- the vibrating teether Lex posted, but you bought when we were out last week ;)
- Earth's Best teething biscuits (they are very hard)
- Hard foods in the mesh feeders, like tough bread crusts (I put the pointed end in), teething biscuits, frozen foods, hard fruit with skins on like apple
- Summer Infant Tooth Brush that has gum-massaging nubs on one side and 'brush' on the other (its the finger-shaped thing in the pic):
http://www.summerinfant.com/images/04580oralcareb.jpg
- A star-shaped bath sponge that we wet and freeze
- Really basic rubbery teething rings with nubs on them, like the ones you find int he grocery store and the one that comes free with Little Remedies products (though my Ped says not to use their teething gel):
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/15812/200.jpg
I have an extra of these if you want it!
- I second Lex's pain-relief plan. I give Hylands Teeting Tablets, let them kick in for the short term, then give the Tylenol for days and Motrin for nights
- This one is wierd. :) Thomas likes to chew on his stroller straps and things of that same material/knit. So I let him deliberately chew on his Baby Buddy toy tethers that are about $3 for 2 at Buy Buy Baby:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/babyant_1901_169946832
He goes to town on these...I think you have one of mine, so give it a try

Hope that helps!


A note about Motrin/Tylenol: Ask your Ped for the right dose!! My Ped told me to give WAY more than the label says, said that the companies under-state the dose for safety reasons. If you aren't giving enough, Naomi's not going to feel better with it.

[allyray231]

OK I bought the vibrating teether thing and A would not use it :)

I did get the Gerber toast though and that seemed to help

Question How do you get the teething tablets under their tounge? A would not let me do it.

[Dally]

Has she ever used a mesh feeder? In addition to some of the ideas mentioned above, one thing we do is make "popsicles" by freezing yogurt mixed with raspberries in ice cube trays. Then we pop a couple in DD's mesh feeder (you have to soften them slightly first in the microwave) and let her gnaw away. It tastes good to her, so she keeps chewing it, and it soothes her gums since it's so cold.

Anyway, it seems to help when not much else will. Good luck!

[kimthebride]

How do you get the teething tablets under their tounge?
I find it funny that they even wrote this on the directions.
I can only assume they wrote that since some babies teeth before that whole tongue-reflex thing is in place, so if you put the tablets under the tongue they can't push them out.
I just put them in Thomas' cheek at first. Now I put them in my hand and he'll take them one by one and pop them like asprin. :cool: He knows what they're for!

[allyray231]

kim thank god-I am just going to do that then!!

[Medako]

DS is 5 1/2 months old starting to cut teeth and is obviously in quite a bit of pain. We have frozen teething rings and he always has something in his mouth to chew on, but I was reading about teething biscuits and considering trying something like that. My question is this....DS is exclusively breastfed and hasn't had ANY solids yet. Even though he hasn't had anything but BM, is it okay to give him "food" to teethe on (hard biscuits, frozen bananas, I even saw someone recommend hardened banana bread)?

**I know I should only introduce one food at a time to watch for allergies, so maybe start with frozen banana chunks?

[postkalidurga]

Our ds was teething almost from birth was was also exclusively breastfed. Try a wet washcloth for him to chew on. We never tried cold food but we did use white grape dye-free tylenol when nothing else was working.

[Medako]

I haven't tried a WET washcloth, but he loves to chew on towels, burp rags, etc....maybe that'll help to wet it with cold water.

I finally gave him some tylenol this morning so he could maybe get some peaceful rest. He woke up several times last night with one of those tear-your-heart-out cries, obviously from the pain. Oh, it almost killed me to hear him in that much pain...I can't imagine what kind of basket case I'll be when he gets hurt for the first time on the playground or something!

[Tenny]

I never tried it, but I heard of freezing BM in an ice cube try and then letting the baby suck on that.

I also heard of freezing a wet washcloth and letting them suck on that too.

Good luck!

[LeslieR]

At 5mos, I don't think I would try any of the frozen foods or teething biscuits. I was too nervous about choking at that age. I did not give Luke a teething biscuit until he was 7mos or so, and I had to watch him like a hawk when I did so because once the biscuits get soggy enough, giant chunks fall off to the point where I would just end up taking it away from him. What about a mesh teether? You can put an ice cube in there or a frozen piece of fruit (if you wish).

[Medako]

Next time I'm out, I might look for a mesh teether. These frozen ring we have are kinda bulky and he ends up dropping them (and getting mad) or they get stuck around his arm instead of in his hand (and he gets mad).

I'm kinda leary of giving him "food" right now too...since he hasn't had any I don't want to risk choking if there are other ways to soothe his gums other than what we've been doing.

[oshannon]

The teething "biscuits" are actually little tiny pills. They dissolve about a second after saliva hits them...I can't imagine it would be physically possible for them to be a choking hazard. They literally dissolve that quickly.

My DH, who is just a few days older than yours, responds really well to them. He does not care for the "official" teething rings, but is chewing on EVERYTHING else.

HTH

[malala]

oshannon: I think you're confusing teething biscuits with teething tablets. What you're describing are the Hyland teething tablets, and yes those are perfectly safe to give to your baby now.

The biscuits are a whole different story, I agree with everybody else who suggested you wait to offer those. Actually I think that in the box it says 7 mos and older or something like that.
Good luck with the teething!:)

[Camara]

We're having really bad teething issues now that DD is 7 months old. I think her top teeth are coming in. Can you buy Hyland's tablets at Babies R Us? I tried Target today but they didn't have it. Or do I need to go to a vitamin type store?

[AlisonCO]

I have seen the teething tablets at Walmart and Whole Foods, but don't know about BRU - you could give them a call?

[kimthebride]

I've never seen Hyland's Teething tablets at any BRU. I've found them at Whole Foods, organic/health food stores, CVS, even some grocery stores that have organic/healthy baby sections.

Teething EBF Babies
Its the pressure on the gums that feels good, and the cold that helps numb it. I'd suggest staying away from food-teething relief until foods are a diet staple in due time. For now, freeze EBM and put in a mesh feeder to prevent choking. Or give a wet/frozen washcloth.

Something else that can help is using a finger toothbrush (like I posted earlier) that has massaging nubs on one side. Even if DC has no teeth out yet, it is the counter-pressure that gives relief. Don't worry about looking silly if DC has no actual teeth to use it on. ;)

[Camara]

AlisonCo & kimthebride - Found the teething tablets at Whole Food. Thanks for your help.
I also got the mesh feeder and will try the frozen EBM in it. I put a piece of ice in it earlier and DD had it crammed in her mouth the whole time until the ice melted.

[maggieb]

OK, I had to revive this thread. Marisa is cutting her 4 molars right now and two more of her bottom teeth. Yup, 6 teeth at once and 4 are molars. Her little gums are as swollen as can be. I know she's miserable since she's fussy all day long and wants to nurse all night long.

I have given her Motrin, teething tablets, frozen washcloths, ice, teething toys, etc. Nothing really seems to help her. She wakes up at night just twisting and turning.

My question is...is it bad to keep her on Motrin around the clock until these teeth pop through? I have only been giving her Motrin at night b/c I haven't wanted to dose her up too much, but she is so cranky and miserable.

What do you guys think?

[EJH]

Well, I'm not a doctor, so take it for what you will, but we do give DD motrin during the really rough teething times in the morning and before bed. She's just in so much pain and miserable otherwise, she won't sleep etc.

Hope the molars come through soon...

Erin

[jh124]

DS has five teeth coming in right now. Five!! And they are taking their own sweet time. We can see and feel them, but they haven't cut the gum, bastids. We pretty much medicate him around the clock. Tylenol in the a.m. and p.m., the Motrin before bed. It helps us keep our sanity. It's either that, or rum (for us.)

[maplekitty]

dd is 4 mnths old and im pretty sure is teething (drooling, gumming, red cheeks, all that jazz). last night she was up every 15 mins from 3am until 8am!! tonight she's super fussy again.
i have some baby oragel, but i was told by someone that it can numb teh back of baby's throat and choke them?!?! this is the first i've heard of this, but now i'm scared to give it to her.

has anyone else heard this?

[kimthebride]

maplekitty
I know Oragel is the most popularly-used teething relief, but my Peds told me not to use it becaue of the ingredient in it that when given in large doses can be dangerous to children (Benzocaine). I haven't heard of the choking thing....
Though I will say this: if you give a super-drooly kid a topical therapy like a gel, its going to wash off pretty fast so you have to keep reapplying. How about using something like Hyland's Teething Tablets instead, or some of the other remedies posted here (like washcloths, bumpy teethers, vibrating teethers, gum massagers)?

[Scooter]

bump

[TracyDP]

I'm bumping this thread for a questions about my DD's first tooth (teeth). It seems to be a first molar that is coming in, well, first and it seems a bit odd to me. It looks weird with the tooth seeming to come from the side of the gum? I'll post a picture and see if it looks normal to anyone here that has gone through this already. I'm thinking of making an appointment with the ped if I don't get any good answers/input from here.

It took me 10 tries to get this picture without her tongue in the way.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/2284775051_56cf3f2459.jpg

[RobynScott]

I know sometimes babies get a fever from teething - how hi? I'm assuming it would just be low-grade (guess I'd better find some books to check out). I'm pretty sure DS is teething - but his fever has gone up to 101.3 - I'm pretty sure that's illness and not teething, but was curious for info from those who have BTDT.

Thanks!

ETA - Never mind. BABY 411 says fever related to teething is an Old WIVES TALE.

[jodylovesscotty]

Bumping this up looking for advice.

We went to DD 6th month wv on Monday. He said the reason she has been rubbing her eyes and pulling on her ears and being a total crab (which is really unlike her) is because she is teething. He said they will pop through any day now. I heard recommendations of the Hylands teething tablets so I went and got some. But my question is...... When did you give them to you DC? Before the teeth popped through? For how long?

[jh124]

Bumping this up looking for advice.

We went to DD 6th month wv on Monday. He said the reason she has been rubbing her eyes and pulling on her ears and being a total crab (which is really unlike her) is because she is teething. He said they will pop through any day now. I heard recommendations of the Hylands teething tablets so I went and got some. But my question is...... When did you give them to you DC? Before the teeth popped through? For how long?

Read the Hyland's thread before you decide to give them.

[TracyDP]

I thought I'd bump this up for anyone dealing with teething right now. DD got BOTH of her bottom teeth a couple of weeks ago at the SAME TIME :eek: They actually broke through on the same day. It was a tough week, had a very hard time getting her to go to sleep (took 3 hours the first night). Luckily once I finally got her to sleep, she STTN but it sure took a lot to get her sleeping. Motrin and singing primary songs over and over and over was about the only things that helped at night. Once I figured out it was teething and gave her motrin before bed it would maybe take 1.5 hours to get her sleeping. This went on for about 5 days before the teeth finally cut through. I'm hoping that with the next teeth it will only be one at a time and she won't be quite as uncomfortable.

During the day I have to say that her absolute FAVORITE teething item was a Safe Feeder with an ice cube in it. Our freezer makes the long ice that fits perfectly in the feeder. She would chew and suck through 3 or 4 ice cubes a day. I tried frozen fruit but she didn't seem as interested, she really liked the ice. She also really likes the Soothie Teether (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013P7WXO?smid=A2ZZGD0WFH5CWA&tag=msnshop-baby-20&linkCode=asn)I bought (not sure why it's $9.99 on Amazon, I paid $4.50), as well as her Funky Chicken. (http://store.babycenter.com/product/code/17571.do?scid=SSE:MSN&srccode=cii_9686437&cpncode=12-50217408-2) Ok, so officially its the Sassy Dove...but we call it the funky chicken and she LOVES to chew on the rough terrycloth tail feathers and the beak when she's teething. I got the Soothie teether from Diapers.com since I was ordering some other stuff and already had free shipping, and they sell the Sassy wood toys pretty much everywhere.

[Rosebud]

I have a question. DS is 3 and a half months now. He is CRANKY, crying much more than usual and constantly chewing on his fingers/fists. He's also drooling a lot and we're having a hard time getting him to nap. Is this the beginning of teething? It seems early!

[Lila55]

Rosebud At that age, my son was drooling a lot and constantly had his hands in his mouth. I remember going to lunch with a few other moms who have babies the same age as my son and the babies all had their hands in their mouths. I do not remember him being cranky. My son is 6 1/2 months and no teeth yet.

[TracyDP]

I have a question. DS is 3 and a half months now. He is CRANKY, crying much more than usual and constantly chewing on his fingers/fists. He's also drooling a lot and we're having a hard time getting him to nap. Is this the beginning of teething? It seems early!

My DD was also VERY big with the drooling and hand/fist chewing at that age. She couldn't get to sleep without her pacifier to suck and chew on. If your DS doesn't use one you might think of offering one again and see if it helps. My DD doesn't use a paci anymore UNLESS she is teething, then she will mostly use it to chew on while going to sleep. That said, some babies DO get teeth as early as 3m so anything is possible.

[MrsBeckyLP]

We went to DD 6th month wv on Monday. He said the reason she has been rubbing her eyes and pulling on her ears and being a total crab (which is really unlike her) is because she is teething.

I hadn't heard this was a part of teething also ... anyone?

DD is teething right now, and she's also been rubbing at her eyes hard and occasionally pulling at her ears. I didn't really know why she was doing that; this could be an explanation.

[Belm]

Bumping this back up for any suggestions...

DS is cutting his first two bottom teeth. Oh the joy! He has been screaming on/off all day now. We've tried BM ice chips, wet rags, teething rings and nothing seems to work. Any other suggestions before we try Tylenol?

[TracyDP]

Bumping this back up for any suggestions...

DS is cutting his first two bottom teeth. Oh the joy! He has been screaming on/off all day now. We've tried BM ice chips, wet rags, teething rings and nothing seems to work. Any other suggestions before we try Tylenol?

If he is 6m I would suggest Ibuprofin (infant motrin) instead of tylenol. Tylenol didn't do ANYTHING for my DD, but ibuprifin helped her get to sleep. My ped said a dose at bedtime was ok after 6m, and DD didn't seem to need it any more than that...just to help her get to sleep. I feel for you, for some reason the 2 front bottom teeth were the roughest for us, even worse than our first molar.

Do you have a safe feeder (the little mesh bags)? My DD's absolute favorite thing (even at 14m) for teething is an ice cube (or ice chips), or frozen piece of fruit, in a safe feeder. She can knaw on it and it numbs her gums, and the rough mesh feels good and helps break away the gums from the tooth. She never did like actually eating from one, but once she started teething it became her favorite teething toy. She also really enjoys chewing on a toothbrush, I found this out because Grandma gave her the one I got free from the dentist when we were on along drive and she chewed on that thing for a full 30 minutes.

[Belm]

Thanks for the suggestions Tracey. He is only 5 months old so I guess Ibuprofin is out. I tried the mesh feeder with a cube of EBM and he didn't like it. I'll try the toothbrush though. Maybe that will work.

[mcgwigan]

Belm My DS also likes chewing a toothbrush & I also have a gum stimulator that he likes to chew-also, he loves to chew on the latex playtex nipples, so I would occasionally give him one that we don't use on an empty bottle to chew. My DS does not like anything cold, but did gnaw on some frozen BM -oh, I reread & see you tried that. My DS also doesn't use a pacifier but I bought him a Soothie Teething pacifier yesterday that he's really been enjoying chewing on! - Sorry the pics so big-it's all one piece, so I don't have to worry about plastic parts coming off, will just need to check the nipple occasionally to make sure he hasn't chewed through it.

http://c2.diapers.com/Images/Products/customers/c654/5956/generated/5956_LC-003_Front_500x500.jpg

[Belm]

Mcgwigan ~ I'll have to checkout that teether. Hopefully Target has it.

[Taurus]

You can try homeopathic medicine. I recommend this (http://drfeder.com/index.php?page=articles&action=viewArticle&articleID=258) website and Dr. Feder's book, which will take the mystery out of homeopathy. You can buy Bioron brand homeopathic medicines at some drug stores or Whole Foods, and you dissolve the pellets in water that you give to the baby.

[Mrs.Chappy]

just popping in to report that baby Motrin is working wonders for us..we are going through a bottle a week! i give it every night... i think the second bottom tooth is about to pop through..there's tons of clear runny nose but otherwise a happy baby which i totally attribute to the Motrin ;)

[SpelKen]

Bumping this up...

My 7month DS seems to have been teething since right before Christmas and nothing's broke through yet. He was really bad but has since calmed down. Sleep is hell. Up once a hour every hour or forty-five mins. Last night, I gave him tylenol and he slept for four hours (the longest time in a whi;e). Tonight, I plan on giving him Motrin tonight but I don't want to have a baby who gets addicted to Motrin. How long can I give it to him? We have teething tablets too so I'll give them first.

[Mickey&B]

I don't think you can get addicted to Motrin. I wrestle with if I am giving him Motrin because he is fussy or actually teething but when I give it to him he is like a different baby, then I feel bad for making him wait in pain. :rolleyes:

[Susan]

Quick question for you ladies - how long did it take for a tooth to come all the way in once it had broken through the gum? DD is getting her first tooth, and it broke through the gum last Wednesday - but I still only see the top of it, not the whole tooth. Just curious - thanks!

[mpc863]

bumping this up as we are in the midst of teething hell right now. she has been fussy for the last week or so. at her 6 month wbv the ped said her bottom teeth were getting ready to poke through. i hope it's soon as she is a bear and will not sleep!

i have tried motrin and just bought the hylands teething tablets. she was sttn but that went out the window.

what are your tricks in the middle of the night to help your lo?

[TracyDP]

bumping this up as we are in the midst of teething hell right now. she has been fussy for the last week or so. at her 6 month wbv the ped said her bottom teeth were getting ready to poke through. i hope it's soon as she is a bear and will not sleep!

i have tried motrin and just bought the hylands teething tablets. she was sttn but that went out the window.

what are your tricks in the middle of the night to help your lo?

At that age the ibuprofin was the best thing for us, it seemed to do the trick if I gave it to her about 30 min before bedtime with her evening snack so it was working when we put her down. But, I will say that my DD is a very heavy sleeper once she is out so as long as she wasn't in pain at bedtime, she slept pretty well. Once she gets a little older and can have things in her crib I would suggest using a toothbrush as a teething toy for her. My daughter is cutting her 2 year molars right now and a toothbrush is her favorite teething item because she can get it back there where it hurts. I let her take one to bed with her.

If they are at that point where they are red and swollen, you might try some of the baby oragel right at bedtime to numb them enough to sleep. I bought some but never did try it since the motrin seemed to do the trick.

If you don't have one already I would invest in one of those mesh feeders (google it and you'll get a ton of them). My DD's absolute favorite thing when teething was an ice cube in one of those things. Not only did it numb her gums, but the rough mesh felt good and helped rub the gum away so the tooth could come through faster...and in her high chair it would keep her happy for as long as it took her to gnaw her way through 2 ice cubes. Good luck, it does get better!