To ask for help- could it be something other than teething for constantly crying 5 month old?

[Napqueen1234]

DD2 is 5 months old. For the past 4 weeks she’s been miserable- previously fairly settled and very smiley and content.

I thought it was just teething as she’s drooly, constantly biting everything including her hands and clawing at her mouth, especially at night. If I’m holding her walking around she’s settled, otherwise distraught. Ok in the sling/pram sometimes but sometimes still really upset. She settles when giving teething gel and her dummy but now not sure if that’s just a distraction.

I’ve been giving her teething gel/calpol/nurofen/teething powder on rotation but it worries me giving her medication regularly every day for weeks on end.

Is there anything else you think it could be or ‘just’ teething? She’s growing well, eating well, sleeping well (not through the night as has night feeds or is sometimes up crying with ?her teeth) but sleeps 11 hours a night and naps a LOT in the day maybe 4/5 hours.

Thanks for any ideas of other avenues to look at it’s exhausting just holding a crying baby. I also have a hugely neglected 3 year old who’s unbelievably understanding but I want to be able to spend more time with.

Thanks

[NuffSaidSam]

Does the Calpol/neurofen work? Is she noticeably improved after having it?

Is it a pain cry? Is there any chance she's just got to that stage where she's bored/wants to be held/wants to be able to move or do something else.