Teething=Screaming baby!?

lili_ana · March 2010

For the past couple of days I cannot recognize LO any more, from a sweet, easy going baby he has turned into a fussy, cranky very impatient little man, screaming like I never heard before and even more when we approach naps/bedtime. I was wondering, is this normal? It breaks my heart to see him like this. We just gave him Tylenol but it didn't seem to make any difference, I guess he fell asleep out of exhaustion. One thing though, I cannot feel or see anything in his gums yet but every time he cries he brings his hands to his mouth and is constantly chewing on his bib too.

What were your experiences with a teething baby? When does this get any better?

vtkgirl77 · March 2010

I know it's different for everyone but when a tooth is coming in for DD, she has a few days of fussiness and then she returns to her normal self. I hope it's the same for you.

A few things that we have tried that seam to help:

Cold wet washcloth

Teething feeder with frozen baby food

Sophie the Giraffe. I never thought I would spend $20 on a rubber toy but I let DD play with one at a play date and she put it directly in her mouth and started gnawing on it. So, I bought it for her and she likes it.

Putting my clean finger in her mouth. I sort of curve my finger and stick my knuckle in her mouth. However, I can't do this anymore because she has 6 teeth and it hurts. But when her first teeth were coming in, she liked gnawing on my finger.

I hope it gets better for you. I know it can be rough.

lili_ana · March 2010

That's right! I forgot we have Sofie, I got her a while ago but LO showed no real interest so it went straight to the toy storage basket. Time to take it out and see if it does the trick. Crossing my fingers! Thanks for the suggestions, I will try the teething mesh too, we are already trying the cold wash cloths and the finger biting/rubbing they do seem to help but only for a little bit.

Temp763151187501242 · March 2010

Try the Tylenol AND some Orajel. I found that the combo of both of them worked better than just one. I've only had experience with the one tooth she has but it's worth a shot. Good luck!

Sofka · March 2010

could he just be hungrier than usual? maybe he's ready for solids

Temp763151187501242 · March 2010

Sofka:
could he just be hungrier than usual? maybe he's ready for solids

I thought of this too. He could be really hungry. Allie gets 2 solid food meals a day and is now sleeping through the night. At this age, they need more calories to keep up with their growing and moving bodies.

QueSrah · March 2010

This may not help you, but DD has been chewing on her hands and bib for months. We asked her ped. around 3 months and she said she does it because she can. We still don't see any signs of teething, but I've noticed recently that she chews on her hands more when she's upset - I guess it's her comfort thing. She's also doing the screaming thing at bedtime and I can't figure out why... I hope your little guy settles down and feels better soon.

Hey Jellisy · March 2010

You may want to try baby Mortrin instead of Tylenol if it does not seem to be taking the edge off. I know some folks have more success with it. We're teething now as well and DD is usually happy during the day but wakes up in the middle of the night screaming in pain. The last few nights I have been up for hours with her trying to get her back down. Last night I wised up and pre-dosed with Tylenol before bed and then when she woke up (over 4 hours later), gave it to her first thing. It really helped her go back down.

MarieandCharlie · March 2010

DD gets her fussiness about one week before I can actually feel the tooth. it's really strange, but I know a tooth is coming in 5-7 days when she starts doing that fussiness.

eeclem · March 2010

It could be. C started teething (as far as we can tell) four months ago, though, and he still doesn't have any actual teeth. You might want to take him to the pedi to have his ears checked, just in case. I was just talking to a friend who's son's only ear infection symptom was poor sleeping and waking up screaming.

tracy042206 · March 2010

I would check out the ear infection possibility as well. Molly just had one and had no fever with it. She was a little stuffy but she just would not go down at night - just kept screaming. I had to rock her for hours to get her to go to sleep when she usually just goes in the crib and falls asleep by herself.

MrsNJSwimmer · March 2010

Hey Jellisy:
You may want to try baby Mortrin instead of Tylenol if it does not seem to be taking the edge off. I know some folks have more success with it. We're teething now as well and DD is usually happy during the day but wakes up in the middle of the night screaming in pain. The last few nights I have been up for hours with her trying to get her back down. Last night I wised up and pre-dosed with Tylenol before bed and then when she woke up (over 4 hours later), gave it to her first thing. It really helped her go back down.

I would check with your pedi first before giving the Motrin - ours said to wait until he was 6 months old.

I like the pre-dosing idea... I might try that myself!

lili_ana · March 2010

Thanks ladies.

I will check with the Pedi tomorrow if today things don't get better to see if it could possibly be an ear infection, and to see if he aproves Motrin instead of Tylenol.

I am also trying to start him on solids but he still doesn't take them, maybe we need to switch to a different option cause until now we've given him rice cereal mixed w/ formula and mixed w/ pear juice, he does not seem to like it either way!..

Thanks again and have a nice weekend.

mek10976 · March 2010

teething pain is worst right before the tooth breaks through. motrin seems to work best for DS. when the pain is really bad (molars) we alternate between tylenol and motrin.

Want a personalized experience?

Teething=Screaming baby!?

Re: Teething=Screaming baby!?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards