Teething and medication - can anyone help?

[giantpurplepeopleeater]

DS is now 5.5 months old and is going through a bad bout of teething. I took him to the Doctors on Wednesday as he has gone right off his milk (usually a big drinker so a definate change) and has been very grumpy.

Doctor said it was likely to be teething and to give him some Calprofen (ibuprofen) as was better for teething pain that paracetemol, and to follow instructions.

Since then I have only been giving it to him when he gets very anxious and is obviously in pain and crying a lot. This means that on at least one day he hasn't had any, and has mostly only had one dose at night.

Anyway - it says on the side of the pack not to give for more than three days. DS is still very grumpy and sore and crying a lot. Now I am wondering if I can still give it to him?

So do they mean that you can't give them consecutive doses (i.e. one every 6 hours as per instructions) for more than three days? Or now that he has had sporadic doses over the last 4 days do I need to stop?

If I need to stop is there anything else I can give him ?

Thanks in advance

Something cold to chew on is good so teething rings, a cold flannel etc. You can get infant bonjela to rub on his gums (particularly good before a feed), there's Calpol if he's really in pain and unhappy and you can also get sachets called Nelson's Teethas or Ashton and Parsons (same thing). They're homeopathic but available in pharmacies/Boots.

Sure it's teething? Not coming down with something? Temp?

it says dont give for more than 3 days without consulting a doctor - you have seen a doctor who has said it is teething so would be ok to give for longer. It is so you double check that there is nothing else wrong.

Thanks ShowofHands - I have been giving a teething ring also and some Ashton and Parsons - have only really been using the Calprofen at night as when he gets tired he can't be bothered with the ring, trying to dovert his attention doesn't work and he can't get off to sleep.

I do keep checking his temperature and it seems fine at the moment. He has had a bit of diarhhea (SP?) this morning though - could this be due to the teething/ calprofen?

Seona, Thanks - That makes me feel a bit better. I will go back to the Docs on Monday if he isn't any better.

Is he still taking his milk? It's possible he's poorly as well as teething. DD always had horrid nappies when teething, real noxious battery acid type nappies but she was well with them.

They also have sleep problems around 5 months, making settling and staying asleep hard. It's developmental. Sadly, it all happens at once.

I'd try the gentle methods like A&P and teething rings, cold flannel etc and keep an eye on how he is in himself.

He is still having milk but is very tempramental. He isn't having it as often - he normally goes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours between bottles - this is stretching to more like 5. When he does have them he is having anywhere between 2 and 8 ounces when he normally guzzles all 8 every time.

In himself he seems ok - still happy playing a fair bit when I can distract him - but is getting very tired and grumpy at times during the day and having a hard time going off to sleep - which is very unusual for him.

Just checked his temp and all still ok.

MIL and Nan keep trying to convince me that he needs solids - am a bit I mean it's not really going to help with his mood/ sleeping is it??

He has all the signs - can sit up, grasp and take things to his mouth and is getting very interested in food but I have been waiting till next week when I can go and get a high chair to start it off.

In terms of readiness for solids, you're right. If he's sitting up, lost the tongue thrust reflex, able to pick up things and put them in his mouth, then it's okay to let him start trying things.

But it won't solve the issues of teething, sleep regression and development. In fact solids can make it worse for a while.

I think it's just poor timing. At 5 months they're often fractious, sleeping poorly, easily distracted while feeding etc. Chuck in teething and it's all a bit miserable. I found 5 months harder than any other point in the first year. It is relentless. Nowt to do with solids though.

I didn't have a highchair btw. Just sat dd on the floor on some vinyl mat, or on my knee at dinner time and she'd help herself.