Probably simple teething questions

[Lijay]

Sorry if these questions seem really simple or like I should know in a FTM on a severe lack of sleep and can't think straight!

My DS is teething, I'm waiting for two deliveries so can't leave the house today. I'm pulling my hair out already and close to my second cry at only 9am (mainly due to lack of sleep but also because DS is in pain and constant crying bless him)

1. Can babies alternate between nurofen and Calpol like adults can with paracetamol and ibuprofen? I'm trying not to give him many doses in the day time so I can give him some at night but he seems in so much pain.

1. Does teething cause cold like symptoms and for them to nap more? I'm worried he's getting a cold and teething but hoping its just a side effect.

1. He's taking on less milk because it hurts I'm assuming this is ok as long as it's temporary? But he will eat purees. Is it ok to up the puree amounts just until his teeth stop causing him jip? Or will that mean he always wants more and will keep taking on less milk? (I hope that makes sense)

I can see the gum has broken so I know he is definitely teething and can feel a little sharp tooth.

Also any general teething tips welcome that don't include walking them outside for hours which is what I did yesterday and worked a treat. Just hoping the deliveries both come in the morning 🤞🤞

How old is he?

Not sure on the pain relief, I don't think they're supposed to have both.

I'd give more food if he wants it. If he doesn't want milk but will eat food then I'd do that.
Sliced apple or cucumber from the fridge is quite good for them to gnaw on when their gums are sore.

I know people do alternate medicines like that but I don't know if it's "correct" when they're so tiny. Can you ring a local pharmacist for advice?

Cold like symptoms, yes I'd say can be side effects of teething but they'd usually be mild - slight temperature and runny nose. If he's coughing and has a significantly raised temp I'd suspect an illness. I also don't associate teething with sleeping more (quite the opposite in fact!)

I'd follow his lead re. milk and food assuming he's 6 months plus. Younger than that and I'd persist with trying to get more milk in. Do you have any other bottle brands handy (assuming bottle fed)? When my DD was teething she rejected the expensive tommee tippee teats but was fine with the cheapy Tesco own brand ones - think it was softer silicone.

Sorry he's having a tough time with it. It doesn't last xx

1. yes
2. no
3. yes

tbh I always found the worst bit of teething was before their teeth broke through gums so this could be something else. If he’s snotty then could be a virus instead

if he sleeps well in the pram can you put him in it in the hallway and rock him to sleep there?

Thank you for your replies!
He's 7 months so he's fine with food. Thanks for the tips. I have some cucumber in the fridge so that's a great shout.

One of the deliveries I'm waiting for is a pram which is supposed to be the first one so I'll try rockng him in the hallway when it arrives. (Broke my other one being heavy handed at the weekend 🙄)

Ohhh I hadn't thought of trying a different bottle brand. He usually has mam but I have some tommee tippee ones somewhere I'll dig out and try.

Looks like the poor fella may be getting a cold as well then. Poor little mite. Just clinging on to the increase in naps being because he didn't sleep much last night but he is sneezing and coughing also 🫠

Have you got some Anbesol (or Bonjela, but I think Anbesol's stronger)? That way you can treat the pain right in the gum (and it works really quickly, too), and save the calpol/nurofen for nighttime. I also like the fact that it helps me tell if it really is teething causing the upset, whereas if calpol helps, that doesn't tell me where it was hurting.

I'd also follow his lead for food/milk, whether it's teeth, a cold, or both.

Some babies like a cold flannel to bite on, and DD1's favourite teether was a frozen green bean.

It’s anbesol liquid you need. It’s only available from a pharmacy.

I would be reluctant to give extra prunes in case it causes an upset tummy.

Anbesol is your friend here!

Yes to ibuprofen and calpol, best to stagger them but full doses relevant to their age and it has a cumulative effect too so keep up with the doses every 4+ hours (don't exceed doses of course)

Not sure about the cold symptoms, sounds like a cold

Food - how old?

@custardbear he's 7 months old

Thanks for the anbesol liquid recs I'll be getting some of that tomorrow. It's actually a good point about using that instead of nurofen. I think I might be projecting a bit because he's obviously been teething a while and I hadn't noticed, I just thought he was going through a shouty grumpy phase.

He chewed on the cucumber happily for a while so I'll keep trying some cold foods.

Genuinely - thank you all for all the tips and answers!

God teething is the worst, you have my sympathies!

Lots of people say there's no link between cold symptoms and teething but, anecdotally, my DD got a runny nose every single time (they're all through now, thank god!!!!).

Hope your DS feels better soon!