7 mth old not feeding prob. due to teething

[Curleyhazel]

Dd has had 2 big and one small feed (bf) since last night (22:00). She has been screaming pretty much all day with a light temp up to 38.5. Gave her two small doses of Calpol.

Had to express a bit as breast engorged. How can I get her to feed? I am worried she'll dehydrate.

Whenever I offer her the breast she comes close and then pulls away immediately arching her back and crying inconsolably. Am in tears myself.
What can I do?

Nurofen kids - takes the inflammation away. Bonjela or anbusol on her gums directly before a feed. Freezing ice cold cloths to chew on. Express to maintain supply and relieve your soreness. Keep offering.

Thank you bounty, I'll send dh to get some. Dd hasn't fed at all since 14:00 today do indeed to be worried about her fluid intake?

Has she has any juice or water? Is her mouth wet? Fontanelle ok? I'd be keeping an eye but don't panic yet.

Offered again. Still not feeding . She has never had any drinks other than bm. Sh e keeps biting my shoulder. Dh off to find bonjela

Could be ear infection rather than teething. Pressure change while suckling causes pain and often just opening the mouth will be uncomfortable. Much more likely to have raised temp with ear infection.

Just thought I'd post in sympathy as my son (9mo)has been on feeding strike for 4 days due to teeth. I too was feeling v sad about it (plus blocked ducts and the faff of expressing). I just couldn't see him ever going back on boob as he clamped his mouth shut and struggled away every time I tried to nurse. Anyhow, tonight...success! He just suddenly went back on. I don't really know why - he had had kiddie ibuprofen but that's standard at the moment. I just suggest keep offering but try to keep the mood light and don't show your baby that you're stressed or upset. Strikes can last a while but the chances are your baby will just come back to bfing suddenly. Good luck xxx

Sorry, just thought I'd add that he was happy as larry drinking milk from a bottle but not from his sippy cup (which he usually LOVES - he's a water fiend). Is there a reason your baby hasn't ever drunk water or have I misunderstood? If he has solids then he should be having water too? Either way I'd definitely offer him water. The advice on strikes on kellymom is pretty good. Hth x

Thank you very much for the kind replies.

Bunty, I think your idea might have worked. I gave her calprofen and bonjela. About ten minutes later she took a small feed, sucking very very gingerly. She fell asleep after a few minutes though so not a massive feed.

Is there a limit on how much bonjela I can give her? I have never tried it before.

Ababy, that sounds very tough! I am glad that your ds decided to continue. Good point about trying to keep it light. I was in tears earlier and that probably didn't help.

It's just the not feeding combined with severely disrupted sleep as dd wakes up every hour or two crying.

Ababy, I was going to introduce water this week, I wasn't sure when to start and thought she would get all the necessary fluids from bf. Can I give her bottled water or do I have to give her cold boiled water? I'll check kellymom, thanks.

I'd also maybe take her to the doc and see about eat infection - just to be on the safe side. At this age, you can give them pretty much anything!

Normal tap water is totally fine after 6 months. I think advice is normally to introduce water at same time as solids so see if she'll have some from a tommy tippy or similar sippy cup.

I know what you mean about sleep - mine sobbed for 3 hrs straight til 2am one night and nothing would console him because he wouldn't bf. But try not to worry - I can attest to the fact that she'll go back to it. Agree that popping to Dr to check ears is gd advice.

I have given dd bonjela every 3 hours or so since yesterday evening. She refused to feed every time I offered but 10 minutes after giving her bonjela fed a little bit, thank goodness.

I have never experienced a nursing strike before, dc1 was a bad teether but always managed to bf regardless. I had no idea how upsetting this can be.

Thanks again everyone for your input. Without the bonjela/ibuprofen last night would have been much more dramatic.

We seem to be back in business. Dd has been feeding without any issues since this afternoon. No more bonjela or ibuprofen was needed. I have also given her water from a sippy cup which she found interesting .

Brilliant news :)