Could my daughter be teething

[Maciesmammy]

Hi I just wanted some input really about when other parents noticed their babies teething and what the signs were. The last few days my daughter has been really fussy with her bottles only takin a couple of ozs then just playing with the teat. Her sleeping pattern has changed too she used to sleep 12 hours on a night but now wakes up sometimes crying. Today she has been particularly fussy and seems to be whining about anything and everything and has been asleep a lot more than usual. She does not a fever and still has plenty of wet nappies. Just wondering if any other experienced parents could tell me if this sounds like teething. Many thanks xx

[amazingmumof6]

they can have their first teeth out as early as 3 months old or as late as 14.5 months (as in the case of my DS3, I kid you not!)

but the teeth start moving in the gums much earlier, so constant chewing and salivating are usually signs and so can be raised temperature or fever, weird smelling nappies, very sore, raw, bleeding skin on bottom and feeling less hungry

how old is she?

[Maciesmammy]

She is 21 weeks. I was just concerned as she's always been fine taking her bottles but the last few days she's only taking about an oz then starts to fuss and just chew on the teat. She does slaver and has always put things in her mouth but today it's more violent like she's irritated

[amazingmumof6]

yes she certainly could be teething!

you can give her a bit of Calpol, dripping it from a syringe or let her lick it off the spoon

I give it (and medicines) mixed with 1 or 2 oz formula from a bottle at the beginning of feeding, then give her the rest of the milk

best gel for my kids is Dentinox gel - rub it on gums, taste lovely, numbs the pain - fab to use at night (you could also try Calgel or Bonjela)

you could give her a cloth dipped in cold water too chew/suck on or one of those teething rings that can be cooled in the fridge

hope this helps - any more questions?

[Jayne266]

My DS was being fussy around 5months and had diarrhoea for a week which I thought was odd. And he has always been obsessed with putting his toys and fingers in his mouth so that wasn't something new for me. Then I noticed on new years day I could feel one coming through now he has 2!

[Maciesmammy]

So do you think I should be making her drink her bottles or just let her have as much as she wants as I don't to put her off feeding even more but I also worry about how little she's drinking. I'm such a worrier lol

[Debs3013]

My little lad is 19 weeks, from about 16 weeks his feeding suddenly dropped dramatically. At the worst I was lucky if I could get 500/600ml in him a day. He was doing exactly the same, fussing and chewing. As long as your DD is otherwise healthy and gaining weight, I'd just go with it for a while. It is very hard, I worried about it constantly and got really stressed but you can't force feed them, they'll just take what they want/need.
I'm quite convinced it was down to teething - I'm lucky in that so far he hasn't been overly grizzly so I don't think he's in pain but he's drooling something rotten, chewing his hands constantly, rosy cheeks and he's had a couple of bouts of a mildly runny tum.
Anyway, this week his appetite has taken a massive leap (I'm guessing growth spurt), yesterday he took over a litre of formula so a huge improvement.
Living in hope that the next developmental stage might be sleeping through ha ha!

[amazingmumof6]

just let her have as much as she wants. I presume she's a good weight, so even if she had no food for 3 days (though stayed hydrated) she'd be fine! that's what baby fat is for!

if she's having ff I'd make up smaller portion - as to not waste loads of milk, same with food.

let her graze so to speak, when's she's better, you'll see her getting hungrier again.

[Maciesmammy]

Thanks everyone your advice makes me feel so much better known its happened to other people as well. I'm taking her to the docs today about something else but will mention it while I'm there. She is a good weight no concerns on that issue haha. Her poo has been a bit loose as well when I think about it so I am convinced its either teething or she has a little bug but no temp so not to concerned. Thanks again everyone