Please help me - urgent advice needed

[pleasehelp124]

My baby is struggling with teething. I gave him 2.5mls of Nurofen (the strawberry liquid form) at 4.15pm but after putting him to bed an hour ago, he’s crying and won’t sleep. I know it’s too soon to give another dose of Nurofen but can I give 5mls of Calpol? He’s 11 months.

Yes, you can alternate nurofen and calpol.

Also you can use Anbesol Liquid. It has a local anasthetic in it.

Yes. You can use ibuprofen and paracetamol as a team. Also get some teething gel and make sure they've got something they can chew. The ones you can put in the fridge are great.

Thanks. I’ve now given Nurofen, Calpol and put Anbesol on the gum (although I’m not sure which exact bit is causing the pain so not sure how effective it’ll be).

I’ve taken his temperature and it’s normal. He was happy all day until put to bed. He must be very tired now as he’s been awake 5.5 hours. He stops crying when picked up, then cries again when put in his cot. He’s always been a good sleeper though has been finding it harder to nod off recently.

I’m at a loss what to do next.

Teething can cause earache, and laying on your back can make ear pain more pronounced. Have you got a bouncer he can sit in to fall asleep whilst elevated? Then you can move him to his cot when he's asleep.

Are you sure it's teething ? That's peak time for separation anxiety - just a thought based on you saying he's crying when put down

It could be separation anxiety too unfortunately, their little brains are going through so many changes at the minute! Definitely buckle up for a few hard nights and cuddle to sleep if thats what helps.

I don’t know - he’s been showing signs of teething all day, like moving his mouth in a funny way (can’t describe it!) and chewing vigorously on his toys.

He’s almost hyperactive when picked up - is that the overtiredness? Then cries inconsolably when put down.

I can try putting him in the bouncer but he’s never fallen asleep in it before, so I don’t hold out much hope!

My son did this for a bit - a late night walk solved it

@LongWinterNights thanks! If it is separation anxiety, how on earth do I get him to sleep?

I’m here too with DC3 (9 month old). Awful nights and back to the 2h wake cycle where she cries when put down. Feel as though I’m creating lots of bad habits by feeding her to sleep after night weaning a while back

He’s now been awake almost 6 hours

@Letsallscreamatthesistene how did you fix it - get him to sleep in the pram then transfer him to the cot? Knowing DS he’d just be wide awake again as soon as we got home

[quote pleasehelp124]@LongWinterNights thanks! If it is separation anxiety, how on earth do I get him to sleep?[/quote]
Try co-sleeping?

I would try co-sleeping.

Yes. I kept him in his sleeping bag, laid him flat in his pram, made him all snug and walked until he was properly asleep. It was maybe 1.5-2hrs long. Then transferred him to his cot and it was fine.

Co-sleeping didnt work for us. He was unsettled because he was over tired and in a bit of discomfort and a change in where he was being put to sleep just made even more unsettled and unsure. Try it, but it isnt the magic bullet MN seems to think it is.

Stick some anbesol on a soft baby tooth brush and give it to him to chew. He'll automatically chew where it hurts putting the anbesol on the right place and the chewing will help break the skin enabling his teeth to come through easier.

Is the calpol/nurofen a sugar free version? I'm only asking because when my boys where teething the normal one used to give them a sugar boost and they would be awake for hours
Also a little thing I used to do was dip a dummy into some baby bonjella in the mornings and put it in the freezer, used to work wonders when teething and helps with the swollen gums, could also be separation anxiety too but the teething will probably just amplify that I think
Sending you virtual coffee ☕️ I know how hard it is

How do you normally get him to sleep ?

It does sound like seperation anxiety for him to be inconsolable when you specifically put him down.

He needs to know you're near at the moment - lots of cuddles until he comes the other side of this phase. He's suddenly realised that the two of you are separate beings (before he thought you were one and the same)

Is he by any chance dropping a nap? Mine is about the same age and now doing 5-6 hours awake with (usually) just one long nap, but he's also Captain Grouchypants.

Thanks so much for the advice. He finally dropped off at 9.15pm last night!

How do you normally get him to sleep?

Normally he’s great - I can put him in his cot, say goodnight and he will fall asleep on his own.

Is he by any chance dropping a nap?

He’s on two naps a day, usually 1.5 hours in the morning and anything from 0.5 to 1.5 hours in the afternoon. I thought he was too young to go down to one nap, but I could be wrong?

I’m dreading tonight now - hoping it’s not a repeat of yesterday!

My LO is the same age and on 2 naps. Theres no way he could drop one!

@pleasehelp124 have you thought of swapping his naps around, 1st one 30mins, then the 2nd one 1,5 hrs? Unless it makes no difference to his night sleep (the length of his afternoon nap).

I'd thing at 11m if he gets 3hrs of sleep during the day that's quite a bit, maybe he is not tired?

No advice on teething, but sympathies here, we have 4 big teeth coming through at the same time and definitely not enjoying this.

I used to cut a cucumber in 4 big long chunks and our son never struggled with teething. He used to chew cold cucumber every day. It helps to break the gums.