Teething Help

[tiredwalker]

I didn't find another thread about this; sorry if there's been tons of these. My 3 month old appears to be teething: fussy, drooly, and gnawing on everything. It's getting harder and harder to get her to eat. Do babies usually eat less when teething? How long does it usually take? She's been doing this for a few weeks now. Any advice on how to make her gums feel better? She likes the frozen pacifier trick, but that doesn't last that long.

 

[Robinsegg]

Yes, they eat less, because sucking hurts. It can take 5-6 weeks, depending on the child.
Keep a couple of wet washcloths in the fridge, in ziplock bags. Take one out every so often and let her chew it Also, the "teething rings" you can put in the fridge are good. Be careful of putting frozen stuff into baby's mouth . . . it can stick like a tongue to a frozen flagpole.
Orajel or Numzit works well, when baby needs real help.
Some swear by Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets, and others swear it harmed their kids.
I hope all goes well for you and baby!
Rachel

 

[tiredwalker]

Thank you, I'll try that. We rinse the pacifier off before letting her chew it so it won't stick. The silicone doesn't really freeze as much as just get cold.

 

[Leanna]

I've had babies chewing on things for months and drooling a lot and no teeth. Elijah is doing it too. I don't know about this eating less thing.... there could be many factors. Perhaps he went through a growth spurt in which he ate a lot and needs less at this moment. How often does she eat and how much?

 

[tiredwalker]

She usually takes 30 ounces in a day. Typically she would eat 5-6 ounces anywhere from 2-4 hours apart. Usually, she would have 3 bottles two hours apart right before bed, then sleep for 8 hours. Now she's taking between 24 and 30 and really spreading it out now it's about 4 hours regularly. She usually just sucks down her food, but she's really fussy at eating time.

At her 2 month check up she was 12 pounds 9 ounces...don't know if that helps. I have no idea how much she weighs right now, but I don't think she looks skinnier.

 

[jgonz]

I love Hyland's Teething Tablets for times like that. Often if you give the baby a teething tablet a few minutes before they eat (whether nursing or bottle), it will help relax/calm them enough that they'll eat better (and not bite if it's a nursling. )

 

[llghoney]

subbing, as I'm having some issues too! I have bought a teething ring & some teething toys. Grace is eating less as well but she seems to be fine with her weight. I've heard that babies go thru spells with eating.. I keep thinking as long as she is eating (not as much as I would think she needs too but what she needs) & no fever she is ok.

 

[tiredwalker]

I wish I could freeze my finger; she likes gnawing on it enough. My mom told me that her parents used a chicken drumstick bone when she was teething. I guess I don't have much to complain about. I'm going to try freezing a damp cloth.

Hang in there llghoney! We can share our (literal) sob stories!

 

[angelsgirl]

tiredwalker... freezing fingers would be awesome! Maddie loves to chew on mine too.
We've been teething on and off for about 3 months and still no teeth!

Madeleine has been fussy with her bottle when her gums are hurting... it took me a while to figure out why she was fussing. She usually loves drinking her bottle!

the frozen wet face washer works well!

 

[Birbitt]

The best teething trick I ever found is pretzel rods! I would put my little ones in the high chair where I could keep a good eye on him and then give him the whole pretzel rod. He couldn't bite it to get smaller piece but he sure could gum it to death until it dissolves and the bumpiness on it adds some texture. Oh I should tell you that I brush all the salt off of the rod so the baby doesn't get dehydrated or sick from all the salt.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Several of my friends SWEAR by amber teething necklaces:

http://www.thegreenkangaroo.org/catalog.php?category=35
http://searchwarp.com/swa54638.htm

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_4&listing_id=15838765
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_7&listing_id=16971697

 

[tiredwalker]

The best teething trick I ever found is pretzel rods! I would put my little ones in the high chair where I could keep a good eye on him and then give him the whole pretzel rod. He couldn't bite it to get smaller piece but he sure could gum it to death until it dissolves and the bumpiness on it adds some texture. Oh I should tell you that I brush all the salt off of the rod so the baby doesn't get dehydrated or sick from all the salt.

She's hasn't started solids yet, but that does sound good for when she is older. I sort of wish she could wait a while to get em, but she's like her mama.

I knew a lady that would let her daughter (supervised) gnaw on a long, medium sized carrot that was chilling in the fridge. I don't know if that would hurt her little tummy though since she's used to milk.

 

[oat02351]

I didn't find another thread about this; sorry if there's been tons of these. My 3 month old appears to be teething: fussy, drooly, and gnawing on everything. It's getting harder and harder to get her to eat. Do babies usually eat less when teething? How long does it usually take? She's been doing this for a few weeks now. Any advice on how to make her gums feel better? She likes the frozen pacifier trick, but that doesn't last that long.

try some infant Tylenol if she is really bad but, ask pediatritian. cold/frozen teething rings work, the ones with the water in them. they do eat less when they teeth and some times run a fever. the swing works wanders too ...to relax them, see if that helps. also driving in the car will wind them down too