4 month old DD teething - at breaking point and only one week in!

[TheGrumpus]

Poor DD has been teething for the past week, and the combination of constant screaming and fighting sleep to the death is making me feel desperate. Nothing seems to soothe her.

I've tried calpol, anbesol liquid, cooled teethers, Sophie the giraffe, rubbing her gums with my finger - all to no avail. The sling or pram used to settle her a bit but aren't cutting it anymore. I'm finding myself taking her out at midnight and lapping the block countless times to get her off to sleep, but I live in a rough area (a lot of drug use round here, including in our close) which makes me feel unsafe taking her out so late

Please can anyone share tips/advice they found helped slightly? Or teething stories of their own so I feel less alone and helpless - thanks!

[Wherehasmysleepgone]

Have you tried teething powders? I use them and they seem quite effective, you can rub some direct onto the gums or just tip get sachet into their mouth, it foams up and then they swallow it?? Nurofen is probably better for teething too as it's an inflammatory so will help the gums.

[TheGrumpus]

That's brilliant thankyou, I'll take DD in to town later and have a look for teething powders/nurofen

[Wherehasmysleepgone]

No worries, hope you managed to find them! They r made by nelsons but I buy boots own brands which work just as well I'm my opinion.
It's so hard feeling sleep deprived, I am lucky that my ds doesn't seem too effected by teeth whether that's because of the powder I dnt know BUT he has his moments lol he has been poorly for so long now and he isn't even at nursery yet, eek plus he still doesn't sleep through so I know how hard it is when tired!
Your brave going out at that time of night, you definitely have my sympathys
I really hope you notice a difference with powders x

[NickyEds]

I second the teething powders. I wasn't at all sure at first (big believer in pharmaceuticals!) as they seem to be mainly chamomile but with DS they worked. I used Boots own too, and they're cheap so worth a try. Yes to baby Ibuprofen-better for teething than Calpol and you can use it but check the bottle for use with a 4 month old.
Are you certain it's teething?? Is she running a temperature? My friends little girl had an undiagnosed ear infection which had a lot of the same symptoms of teething. I'd say it's definitely worth getting her checked out if you don't get a tooth in the next couple of days. Calpol and anbesol should, in theory, stop teething pain.

[AnythingNotEverything]

If she's been crying for a week and anbesol and calpol aren't cutting it, is be seeing a doctor. Anbesol is magic here.

Yes, do try Nurofen. Often works on things calpol won't touch.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

If you're bfing, try feeding her. It was the only thing that soothed DS.

[Wherehasmysleepgone]

Agree with Nicky, it could be something else? My ds was distressed recently, screaming when putting him down, off food etc and he had a throat infection followed by chest infection. Only found out about throat by going to Dr as I couldn't see in his mouth!

[TheGrumpus]

Have only just seen these replies sorry! Took DD to get checked as I was really starting to worry about her but doc said it's definitely teething. I've now been using teething powder with every feed for the last few days and what a difference, the stuff's magic! Thank you so much for suggesting them Still getting barely any sleep but I can handle it much better when there is some relief from the constant screaming.

[Wherehasmysleepgone]

After I replied my ds started to cut three teeth lol was a few nights of hell!! Didn't get much sleep at all so know how you have been feeling! Glad the granules work for you, it's a relief isn't it! Did u try nurofen too? Everytime I laid him down he screamed and was awake every hr pretty much through the night! Felt bad though when I saw three starting to poke through!