Message to Future Parents XII: The truth about teething
There's a whole bunch of conflicting information out there about teething, regarding symptoms and methods of relief. Some examples:
One site says, "A barely noticeable rise in temperature may occur immediately before a tooth erupts."
The next site says, "Teething has not been known to cause fevers."
Site A: "Teething can cause increased drooling and it can make your baby bring their hands to their mouth."
SiteB: "Teething is not thought to be responsible for excessive dribbling and the desire to chew hands or arms. Most experts believe these are natural stages in oral development."
(The only thing I've found more confusing than diagnosing teething symptoms is pregancy itself. Pregnancy, as I understand it, can cause any symptom to any degree of severity, and it's all perfectly normal. It baffles my mind how two conflicting conditions can both be considered normal. Diarrhea? Fine. Constipation? You're right on track... Enjoy that, ladies.)
In true omarphillips.net Message To Future Parents fashion, I'm here to bring you the truth. And the truth is that everything bad you hear about teething is 100% true. Anything you hear that claims that the bad stuff is not related to teething is a lie. On top of that, every symptom it says the babies get, the parents get them worse. Plus headaches. The kid's got it easy. Nobody's wiping my butt for me while I suffer sleepless nights, thanks to the teeth.
(reenactment of actual event, this is not my baby's mouth)
Fevers? Check. Diarrhea? Check. Chewing on flesh? Check. Personal threats? Check. Supposedly it gets easier as more new teeth come in. I'll keep you posted on that. In the mean time, I'm going to use the rest of my lunch break to take a nap in the car, where the tooth can't get me.
Comments
seventeeen syllables said:
Oh, I'm sorry the baby is struggling with the teeth! It's definitely harder on the parents than the kids. And you're so right about all the conflicting information! What's up with that?
The thing my boy really liked for teething pain was this teething toy that vibrates when you bite down on it:
http://store.babycenter.com/product/feeding_nursing/pacifiers_teethers/3157
I know, it didn't sound that appealing to me either when a friend recommended it (vibrating gums?), but the boy did love it....
Glo said:
Got no advice except to stay out of biting range. My niece had the sharpest teeth in town and bit anyone and everyone while they were coming in. A friend of mine got caught in a very unfortunate spot as she toddled about the furniture...boy! Was that a relationship ender?!
Sarah said:
I have no advice either... though the vet DID extract two of my dog's teeth today. My nephew lived with a bib arund his neck the entire time he was teething - I guess my sister-in-law didn't want him to drool up his clothes...? Fortunately, my dog will have the lampshade collar around his head to catch his drool.
cadiz12 said:
that sucks, omar. maybe you can set up a cot under your desk to catch some z's? hope the teeth come in quickly and relatively painlessly... for all three of you.
Jackie said:
Mine is doing the teething thing too. We found the miracle cure though... Hyland's Teething Tablets. Melt a couple of those babies under his tongue and it's smile city.
Syar said:
I don't remember the times when my little sisters went through teething. maybe it was so traumatic my brain just scabbed over that memory. I can't wait for their baby teeth to start falling out tho, I've got horror teeth stories just waiting to be told and horrify my young siblings. *rubs hands together and cackles with glee*
although, seeing as you're pretty short on glee right now, I just have to say good luck. hope you (and the wife, what up Mrs Phillips!) can escape those psychotic teeth. at least for a few hours.
I said:
17 - That thing looks great! We may give that a try.
glo - If the boy bites me, he's out of my will. We've discussed it, and he understands.
sarah - We had tried putting a bib on him sometimes, but the drool isn't often that bad. At least, not yet. Sorry to hear about your dog!
cadiz - I'm not a great napper. Less than 2 hours sleep at a time does me no good. And I don't know if I could go unnoticed for 2 hours...
jackie - We have tried those, with mixed results. He likes the tablets, but I can't really tell if they're doing anything for him.
syar - We do get our hours of break, I make it sound a little worse than it is. He still gets good sleep at night, and I can't complain about that. During the day though, I'm pretty sure the psychotic teeth are exerting some sort of mind control over him.
jasmine said:
since i have nothing to contribute, i'll just say that this reminded me of the baby in the "series of unfortunate events"
thankyouverymuch. i'll be here all week.
Berrygirl said:
Teething seriously sucks ass- the first tooth came in for mine soo nicely and then BAM! Three others back to back with no time to rest. I don't know if this will help your son but it did the trick with mine- a wet wash cloth put in the freezer for a bit. My son loved it and would suck on it forever. And then Husband and I would sigh a quick breath of relief before the next round. Good luck.
Oh and Hylands Teething Tablets- they helped too.
Glo said:
When i get the urge to bite....wait that may not be appropriate....scratch that. Nope. No advice here. Sorry to intrude.