Teething hell - what can we do??

[oysterpots]

DS has 4 top teeth and 4 bottom teeth at the front. He seemed to find the bottom ones painful when they came through but it was a 24 hour thing really and then up they popped and seemed to bother him no more - they are obviously the fast ones. Didn't even notice the top ones cutting through.

Anyway, he's teething again and for the past 24 hours has been absolute hell - won't sleep, then is tired and fractious, won't eat because of the pain but then is hungry and fractious. He was awake every hour last night and we had him in with us in the end, but he was dozing rather than in a deep restful sleep. Hasn't napped for longer than about 10 or 15 minutes at a time today, resulting in him having the least sleep he's ever had (he's 14 mo).

Hardly had much breakfast, no lunch at all and just two yogurts for tea, and have just put him to bed and he seems to want his bottle but then screams after the first suck.

Oh and I've never seen so much dribble

So what can I do? He's currently on a cocktail of ibuprofen, medised, new era homeopathic teething tablets, bonjela and lots of cuddles. Is there anything else? Should we see a doctor? He's screaming and crying like nothing I've heard before

If this is just par for the course (it's a lot worse than previous teeth... could it be the dreaded molars?!) then any tips on what food to give or how to give milk without causing more pain? I feel so sad for him. Thanks.

Anyone?? Please help?

There is a teething gel called absenol, its for adults but have it recommended by doctor and pharmacisit. Other than that just keep doing what you are doing - my 17 month old is getting back teeth at the moment - well for the past month - although still no actual sign, its hell, but you just got to do what you can.

Things that he will always eat - yoghurt, fruit - especially crunchy cold - apples, unripe plums, pear etc, also he loves chomping on a really cold (in freezer for 15 mins) half of cucumber. If you are concerned about him not eating much try going back to baby food - sometimes ds cant be bothered to chew but will quite happily have a jar of mush baby food.

If you are concerned then you could always go to see your doctor - there might be an ear infection or something? Stick with nurofen as its supposed to be the best for teething.

Hope things are better soon.

Oysterpots - I can't help but I can sympathise. Dd is 4 months and has been cutting her first teeth. We've had one night's sleep in 3 weeks. Apart from that she's been waking almost every hour screaming, getting in bed with us and as you said - dozing rather than sleeping. So - no advice but a smile of sympathy. Might be nice to know you're not the only one going through it at 2am tonight! MM

ASHTONS & PARSONS teething powders worked for me - well for my LO - along with junior neurofen. Hope it helps and you get something to settle him.

Thanks for the sympathy, monkeysmama! We were up 5 times last night but he was fairly quick to settle, thankfully. Hope your night was better.

I'll try that gel, geordieminx, thanks. Strange but DS doesn't seem to be able to handle anything hard or cold, but has managed 3 yogurts again this morning! Hope the nursery can do better (they don't make you come and get DC for teething pain do they?).

Will try those teething powders again Cosmo74, but they didn't seem to do much when he was tiny. Might as well use them if we've got them though!

geordie - did you mean anbesol ?

A friend recommended that to us, but we've not had anything not fixable by ashton and parsons or bonjella yet so haven't tried it

It is perhaps a little bit old fashioned but a beaker (or bottle) of chamomile tea with a couple of cloves in it seemed to help my children when they were teething.

Yeah chairmum, thats the fella - we normally use A & P too, but sometimes use that - its easier to put a wee bit on a tooth brush and let him chomp on it rather than having to put fingers in his mouth for powder.

Anbesol liquid is great for teething babies. It stays were it is put unlike the gels.

A combo of Anbesol liquid, alternating between ibroprofen/calpol, soft food, bottles of milk and loads of cuddles got us through DS getting 8 teeth at once, molars and incisors.. but it was hell. He also loved one of those tooth massager sticks that you get for babies. he as able to get it to the back of him mouth to chew on.

I hope your LO feels better soon.

I know this sounds silly but we gave Kieran a small wooden spoon. It worked fantastic during the day for pain relief as it was just right to chew on (no splinters!) when no other teethers or anything worked!
Also - get some zinc and caster oil cream from boots and use this on the neck and chin as a barrier (it soon rubs in!) - after this Kieran had no more dribble rash etc (works great on bottoms too).

DS is only 8 months, but we have one of those gum massagers and its his favourite toy - he loves to chew on it even when he doesn't seem at all bothered by his teeth (should that be tooth - we only have 1 so far!?)

Also, we give him his powders on a spoon - it seems to all go down that way, and he does love them!

Been there... canines and premolars were a nightmare. ---Nurture your self so you can cope.
For fevers if you dont want medicine be regular with the homeopathy, camomila, pulsatila and there is anotherone for extreme cases i cant remember. try Z gel, works wonders on gums aswell as any other bruises, cuts ect.
Go to the doctor for reassurense if it goes on for too long.

which ibuprofen is he using - calprofen or nurofen? might be worth switching to the one you aren't using to see if that makes a difference? also have you tried anbesol liquid instead of gel. i found it much better cos the gels slide off straight away.