18 month old is so miserable all the time

[Lefmry]

I will start by saying he has been cutting all four canines but oh my god teething has never had him like this before.

I am with him on my own all day (his brother is at school full time and dad doesn’t get back from work until gone 6pm most days) and currently 29 weeks pregnant so the days are just so hard. He has his moments of happiness but only when he’s physically attached to me 24:7. If I move, walk away, go to the toilet, cook tea etc he’s just crying and whinging at me.

In fact I think I could deal with crying it’s the constant moaning that drives me crazy. Everything leads to a whinge, it’s so miserable to hear all day every day. Annoyingly if I disappear upstairs for a lie down, a shower or whatever on the weekends or when dad is back from work he is golden. It seems like with me he lets loose with all of his emotions and oh my god it’s getting so much to deal with.

We go out as often as we can, play in the garden, in fact I play with him ALLLLLLL day long as he just requires my attention constantly. Is this honestly just a phase or is it really the teeth? He’s always been a little clingy but this is like a whole new level.

It’s most probably the teeth. As well as the pain, they tend to get upset stomachs, eating is uncomfortable, their poos are more caustic and basically it’s hell to have 4 major teeth at once.

I know it’s exhausting and I do feel for you. It’s a rotten time. But it won’t last too long - at least all 4 are condensed into one short awful period and not months of one after the other. (Small comfort when it’s happening, I know)

He’s desperate for comfort and your body is the best source he knows, poor lamb. Take any breaks you can, and be kind to yourself.

Can you take him to a few baby groups like Hartbeeps or mum and toddler groups to get out of the house. Churches often run then quite cheaply if money is an issue. It might distract him and help him to interact with others and you can have a chat with the other mums.

It sounds like a brutal teething phase! Clingy behavior and constant vocalizations are common during teething. Hang in there, mama! You're doing great. With some extra comfort and teething relief options, this should pass soon.

Canines were the worst for my DD and I wasn't expecting it because everyone goes on about the molars!

All this behaviour is explainable, you've just got to ride it out. When DD goes through her clingy phases, I find the best course of action is to lean in to it, like love bomb her.

She's a confident 3yo now

Agree with the comment about baby groups, some talk with other mums that get it are just what the doctor ordered

ALSO you're not alone in finding the whinging triggering, I think most people find that difficult especially when it's all day