teething and a mahoosive number of poos

[moreandmore]

5.5month DS showing signs of teething (I think, I'm a first timer)...shoving hand into mouth all time, sucking lip, getting bursts of pain/fussiness/grumpiness/crying, red cheeks, tons and tons of drool...and a beautiful 3-5 times a day poo. He's always just done one big poo a day, so I'm just checking that this is normal with teething? I assume it could be all the saliva. He seems very chirpy in between the pain and doesn't feel hot. How do I know it's teething and not something else...

And do I need to feed him water in between feeds?

Ta

Likely teething, mine did this too.

Watch out for sore bums though - all that poo, plus it all seems very acidic. Slather on loads of cream each change (or even better allow the bum some air-time - not easy when faced with poonami!!!)

Thanks PurveyorofBaloney - how long did it actually take for the teeth to come through? i.e. how long is this phase?

How long is a piece of string??

They all vary how long it takes to cut teeth. All the other signs are promising, but it can still be weeks before the teeth come through - sorry. However if the foul pooing goes on for more than a week and is out of character, then it may be worth mentioning to HV or Doc.

As for the water question, if he is breastfed then it shouldn't be necessary, but by 5.5 months and if it is hot you could try offering some in a sippy cup. Formula fed babies should have additional water offered I believe (boiled and cooled is often advised - though I never bothered once weaning had started)