How do I stop bad habits forming during teething

[Jennywren21]

My 6 month old has always been such a great baby, routine from very little and sleeping through early doors. Then a week ago she started teething, coinciding with introducing purées about 4 weeks ago. At first I thought it was tummy pain from the food and constipation but after a few days of good pooping action I realised it was teeth, along with the usual signs.

She SCREAMS with the pain, it's awful and I'm holding her to sleep. She has also stopped sleeping during the evening and frequently wakes during the night now so I'm feeding her and I get so exhausted I co sleep at times.

All these bad habits are forming that I worked so hard not to introduce (and it was working) but I can't let my baby be in pain and not comfort and hold her.

How can I stop bad habits forming during teething?

I have 2 year old twins so really don't want a baby that when fine needs holding all then time. Also any pain relief suggestions? I've tried granules, calpol and bonjela. Does not touch the sides.

Have you tried Anbesol? You might find it more effective than the Bonjela.

Calpol is effective for teething pain. I wouldn't worry about cosleeping being a bad habit; if your baby needs you a bit more for a bit I'd just go with it.
If constipation is an issue then stewing some dried apricot and prune together with a bit of fruit juice then pureeing is very effective. Mix it with some yogurt

I agree it could be tummy, perhaps I'm weaning her incorrectly? I have no clue what I'm doing really.

I just give her two meals a day. 11am and 4pm, she still BF every 3-4 hours. One meal is with fruit purée and natural yoghurt but the second I change everyday. It's those organic pouches but nothing with meat in yet. If she has not had a poo, the fruit meal will be prune based.

Does that scream out as being wrong? Could be some teething too. I hope I'm not causing this :0/. Just been sat with her screaming again!!

There's no such thing as bad habits or 'making a rod for your own back' with a baby. You give them what they need when they need it. When your baby's teething phase has based they will likely settle back into old patterns.

If not, you will find the energy to help your baby settle in cot, for example. Please don't think of cuddling and sleeping close to your baby when they need it as a bad habit.

A nurse once said to me, 'do you know any adults who need to be rocked to sleep?' When I was worried about my eldest relying on rocking to get to sleep. Everything is a phase with babies.