Teething - taking forever?

[genesis92]

Hi all

I can't seem to find what I want on google so hoping Mumsnet can help me

My 9 month old baby has been showing clear signs of distress due to teething for around 2/3 weeks. It looks like his top front teeth are trying to come though. Gums red and inflamed etc

However this has been going on for so long now and still no appearance. Google tells me the bad part of teething lasts around a week?! I can't bare any more of this. He's so unhappy 24/7, doesn't sleep and now refuses to swallow calpol.

Does anyone know how much longer this can go on for?

Aw bless him! It can take a while I'm afraid!

We were pretty much in a constant state of teething from 4months-2 and a half years when the last molars came. The molars were the worst. Unfortunately they have 20 of them to get and they can be pretty slow. Even when they are peeking out there is a lot of movement and growing in the mouth and that doesn’t mean they stop hurting. I’m sorry OP, it’s hard to see them in pain. Have you tried the gel?

Yeah I've tried Anbesol gel, and it does work but it's obv only temporary. He's had his bottom 2 teeth already come through, and that was about a week of obvious distress. But the tops ones are taking so long.

Surely a baby can't be on calpol for weeks at a time?

This is not the worst bit I'm afraid 😁 My son was showing clear teething signs for a solid 2-3 months before the first one popped through. They have a LONG way to travel before eruption, and they have to cut through gum in order to do it. Yes, it's brutal. Yes, it's temporary. They only have so many teeth!