8 Month Old Teething?

Hi M.,

Have you taken the baby to the pediatrician lately? Call the office and give your report on this behavior to the nurse and see what they think you need to do. Good luck.

D.

sounds like a growth spurt and separation anxiety, normal for her age. Also, maybe try introducing some table food (they don't need teeth for most table food-both my kids were 11 mo before they got any teeth). My son started rejecting anything that was fed to him around this age. He had to be able to feed it to himself and he started to hate baby food and cereal. Also, sometimes they love a food one day and gag and spit it out the next.

This sounds exactly like my 9 month old. My dad has the flu and I have just now picked it up, Im thinking she has the flu as well. Has there been any fever?? My throat is sore and theres alot of flim and its hard to swallow. So if she has a flu that could be why she cant swallow certain foods. Runny nose?? I would call your pediatrician.

It's been a long time since I've had one teething but as far as I remember - sleeping wasn't one of the symptoms. Drooling, cranky, chew on anything and sometimes a fever. I was SUPER lucky with mine and never went through major hell with teething. I think my youngest ran a slight fever with one tooth. If the baby is sleeping plenty then I'm saying you're getting off lucky with the teething like I did. Don't borrow trouble LOL.

Hi M.,

I wouldnt worry about it. My daughter did the same thing and I know that my friends son did the whole 4x a day nap thing too. Sarah is 9 mos now and she is back to 2 naps a day. As far as the rice cereal, my daughter NEVER liked it. I switched to oatmeal with flavor. I mush fruit in it and she likes it much better. Also try some of the jar mixtures.. they are pretty good ( I have taste them out of sheer curiosity).. She just might not like rice cereal. She also might be going thru some separation anxiety as far as the cligy behavior. My daughter gre 2 " between 7 and 9 mos so she may just be going thru a lot of changes. Just wait until 9+ months when she starts fighting naps- Now THAT is some serious FUN- NOT..

Good Luck
D.

hi M.,

some kids teeth at diff. times. it is late for your daughter, but what might be happening is they may all be trying to come in at the same time. right now its like a toothache to her. she HURTS BIG TIME right now so her mouth is sore and she is very sleepy cause she feels sick.

give her some baby aspirins, and things she can chew on to push the teeth through. when my 2nd son got his teeth, they all came in at once and boy was he hurting. diarrhea too, and they usually get a cold. keep her nose cleared so it doesn't go into her ears. cold things help her mouth too. you might want to make fruit juice popsicles for her.

years ago an english nanny told me that kids in england don't teeth. I said, 'how can that be?' she said the parents keep massaging the babies gums with a little push down on them--very gently and it helps the teeth break through isn't that something?

just keep loving on her too and she will come right through it well.

blessings, L.

M.- sounds like you are very in tune to your child. Any concerns you have should be taken seriously and addressed with a medical professional. Many times I mistook my daughters actually having an ear infection for common signs of impending tooth eruption.
May I suggest that you should always follow your "gut feelings" when it comes to your child. There is a special gift given to us as mothers that no one can seem to explain or qualify with science, but we know it is there and we know only another mom will understand.
Love to hear the outcome on how the Princess s doing in the next few days!
D. F

My daughter was ten months!!!! when she finally got her first two teeth. We kept thinking she was getting them.... all the signs on and off from the time she was four months old. Her brother started teething at 7 months so we thought for sure she would follow, but she didn't. She's now 13 months and still only 2 teeth. If the signs you're talking about last longer than a few days, I would contact your dr. and ask him/her. You can never be too safe and no questions are stupid.

Good luck.

M., Teething was always hard for everyone in the household when my younger two were going through it! Your baby's symptoms sound just like my girls'! I discovered that ear infections go hand in hand with teething, and they don't always run a fever with the infection! The fluids are really important because babies can dehydrate easily. If this has been going one for more than two days, I would call the doctor. Good luck! K.

hmmm... I don't want to worry you, but if it were me, yes, I'd be concerned that it may be more than just teething. I am sure you've heard that one of the major signs of something going on with you child, is when they BEHAVE differently - that, in combination with the excessive sleeping doesn't sound to me like just a teething deal. I would take her to the pediatrician to get checked out, if you haven't already done so and then start narrowing down possibilities from there. Good luck and I hope your little munchkin feels better!

You almost perfectly described teething and growth spurts. My son had exactly those symptoms before each major growth spurt and when he teethed. Enjoy the little extra time and as long as she's drinking enough to pee every 6-8 hrs and doesn't act lethargic when she's awake, so she'll have active periods (for an 8 month old) I wouldn't worry to much about it.

Hi M.,

I wouldn't be concerned. I have a 7 month old that is teething, and so she is also a little "out of whack". Every child advances at their own time. My cousin has a daughter who is 5 months older than my youngest. Her daughter got her first teeth in the day after my daughter got her first teeth. So, I'm sure that your daughter will be getting her teeth in any day now. As long as she isn't showing any serious signs of a problem, like not responding to you, being lethargic, etc, I wouldn't worry at all.

make sure she's hydrated because that can cause fatigue. I lovely using a homeopathic remedy for teething (Whole Foods has it)...camomile I think it was....safe for babies, worked wonders. Sleeping is the body's way of healing...but if you are EVER truly worried, call your DR or call ask-a-nurse, a free hotline at Anne Arundel Medical Center, they are helpful!

My daughter didn't get her first tooth until 11m. Try giving her some orajel or tylenol about 20 mins before feeding. If she is teething her gums are sore and eating will bother them.

M., My first daughter didn't get any of her teeth until after 8 months old so no concerns there. Your child's behavior seems typical of teething, but if you are concerned I would at least call the doctor and express those concerns. I always say better safe than sorry. What can it hurt to have her checked?
J. L.

My first child, a girl, didn't cut her first teeth until she was 11 months old. two at a time was her style. so don't stress about her lack of teeth.

Food; she may be changing her food consumption because she is going threw a phase. she may be tired of you feeding her and may want to try it herself. Try a couple cherrios on her tray, see how she does. as far as formula, mine cut themselves back from the breast / bottle at that time. both my kids weened themselves off the breast at this age and I started them on formula. my son is 10 months old and he takes 2-4 oz in the morning and 2-4 oz after his afternoon nap. that is it. he eats 3 solid square meals a day and takes a sippy cup of water with all his meals. Maybe she is trying to tell you this and it is getting lost in translation.

teeth - is there lumps on her gums? do you see where the gum is turning white from pressure? those would be indications of teeth coming however, kids can teeth for months and you will not see anything at all.

if you are at all concerned, call your ped. They have nurses who can talk you through it so don't stress out. you are fine to ask questions and it is what you pay them for.

It might be a sign of teething. If she is not running a fever, I don't think there's need to worry. My pediatrician once told me that about every two months, a baby goes through a growth spurt that can cause lots of sleep, more fussiness or pickiness in eating habits. A bit of separation is normal at this age as she starts recognizing and preferring familiary people a bit more. Sleep is good - if she's sleeping a lot, she probably needs the rest and it will help her get through this little phase. One way that I just got my nine-month-old through a similar time is to give him one of those little Fresh Feeder teething rings - they're little rings with a net that you can fill with a part of a banana or an ice cube, and the baby sucks on the outside to get the fruit or water out. It's ideal for a little person with no teeth - they can't choke. For a couple of days, that's all I could get my little guy to be satisfied with. If your baby does start to run a fever or exhibits other signs of malaise, I'd call a pediatrician, but I think you're right to expect teething and just try to ease the pain and get her to eat what little bit she will the best you can.

M.
Just wanted to assure you that 8 months is not that unusual. All 3 of my children didn't start cutting teeth until 8 and 9 months old. They were on schedule for everything else so don't worry about that part.
As far as the change in attitude, just keep an eye out. Kids will go through phases for a couple of days. Always call your doctor if "it" goes longer than you think is safe. Trust your gut for the final answer. Eating less food is not a bad thing unless it inhibits her growth. Getting more sleep for a few days is also not a bad thing. BUT always keep your eyes open for other symptoms so you can advise your doctor.
Happiness to you and Enjoy your daughter while she's young. She'll grow very fast. Don't blink.

Hi M. V,

My name is W. D and I have a 4 year old daughter. But, I do remember waiting for that first tooth too. She was almost 11 months old before that first white sparkle came through her gum. I remember that she slept alot too and eating food and drinking from a bottle isn't always soothing at that time. A tooth coming feels like a million day journey, but eventually they pop through. I wouldn't worry about the sleep or the fussiness because you are right and she is probably working on those teeth. But, what you do want to watch for is any pulling on the ears, fever or overall listlessness where she really won't do anything, but lay around. This would be the best time to call your pediatrican and make sure she doesn't have an ear infection that may be associated with this teething. Sometimes all that fluid from teething gets backed up into the ear, even when there is no white, shiny tooth to be seen. Also, if you aren't already, you can try Motrin before bed or naps, along with Nighttime Orajel. This type of Orajel is better than the regular Orajel because it has more numbing effect. I also used it during the day if she was fussy. I hope this helps you a little and I hope you see that tooth soon. Take a picture of it because it will help remind you of what a long journey it is to just get that first tooth!

W. D

It's normal for her not to have teeth yet, so I wouldn't worry about that. My daughter didn't cut her first tooth until she was over a year old. My oldest son had his first 2 teeth at 4 months. It just depends on the child. What I would be worried about is if she's getting enough fluids. Is she been running a fever? Did she run a fever with in the last week or two? I would take her to her Dr. She can dehydrate very easily at her age.
Good luck

Sounds like a growth spurt is happening. When young children sleep alot that tends to be a sign of their body trying to grow. Most children will also go thru times when they aren't hungry as usual and then there isn't enough food in the universe... all has to do with growth as well. Teething is possible... remember that the first year all sensory and exploration starts in the mouth. SO alot will go in wether it should or shouldn't. Hope it helps!

Hi M.,
My daughter is almost 10 months old and just got her first 2 teeth a few weeks ago. The first one came through with no issues at all. Then came the second. It was so horrible and she was definately not herself. Once it popped through she was back to normal. I would just make sure she is hydrated and she doesn't have a fever. If you are really concerned you should contact her pediatrician. You know your daughter best.

I don't have much experience with difficult teething, but I do think the symptoms can be rather varied. Personally, I think it sounds like your little girl has a mild virus. I'd continue to keep an eye on her and if she's not better by Mon. am call your pediatrician. There's no harm taking her in just to be on the safe side.

My little girl just turned 8 months a couple of days ago. She has one bottom tooth that poked out and another adjacent one ready anyday now. I have noticed that she's been sleeping a lot more also and has been just a little cranky, more than normal. I am a first time Mom and so I am learning but after reading your article I just wanted to let you know that it sounds a lot like my little girl. I wouldn't worry at all.

I didn't get any teeth until I was nearly 12 months. I'm told I have healthier teeth as a result, so don't fear late teeth.

As far as other signs that there may be something other than teething going on, when my first child was 7 or 8 months, I thought she was getting her first tooth, because she seemed uncomfortable in her mouth. Then I spotted a huge blister on her tongue. It was coxsackie (I think that's how it is spelled), hand, foot and mouth disease, a common virus for toddlers. What a pain, but short-lived. Your daughter may have a virus or ear infection, but no likely need to panic, or anything.

Incidentally, when the same child was 9 months old, she got her first tooth with NO fussing at all. Teething never bothered her, nose never ran, nothing. I thought other people were exaggerating. (Had 3 more children just to make sure. Kidding.)

DO NOT DO BABY ASPIRIN!!!!!!!!

It can cause Reye Syndrome: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_vir...

If the symptoms you mention don't get better by tomorrow morning, I would call the pediatrician just to double check the ears. It's better to interrupt a day with a dr. office visit than the middle of the night going to the ER with a screaming baby.

Hi M.. Your baby is probably going through a growth spurt. They tend to do big naps. Also, since she's getting more active, she may be wearing herself out more during the day which would explain longer naps. She's at the age where they start to go through separation anxiety which would explain why she cries when you leave a room now. For the teething, I've used Hyland's Teething Tablets. They work really fast. I like them b/c they're homeopathic & don't have aspartame like Oral B for babies.

Good luck!
L.- mother of 3 beautiful girls ages 9, 2 & almost 5

I would have her ears checked. My son had ear infections a lot his first year and all of the symptoms you mentioned were what he would do every time they were infected.

Hi. I'm a stay at home mom of a 10 month old little boy. It sounds like a growth spirt. OR she IS teething they just haven's erupted through the gums yet. My son teethed for a while before there were any teeth. He also exhibited the same symptoms. THey need quite a bit more sleep b/c pain wears you out! when they don't feel good they need us more too. Sometimes, the excessive sleeping is due to a growth spirt but it's usually accompanied by increase in appetite. Hope this helps! YOur baby is just fine. and all babies do everything at their own pace. THat's what makes them unique.

My kids have both slept more while teething. If it extends past a few days, I would suggest taking her to the doctor because the change in eating habits could also signal an ear infection or sore throat (neither of which will always have a fever with it) or some other virus or cold.

Good luck.

one idea is she isnt feeling well and when you dont feel well you dont care to eat you sleep more and you want to cuddle...could be her teeth bothering her too with the need to chew on stuff.

could also be a combo of things that just happened at once like a growth spirt which usually means more sleep and if shes teething too then she will chew and maybe not wan things inher mouth to eat ecause it hurts and well babies get clingy around this age anyway.

but it could be something that needs a dr.s attnention but i couldnt think of what other than an ear infection or worse but i'd think she would be fussy. but again they dont always fuss whenthey hurting.

hope you find out what it is soon this is the problem with babies not able to speek yet.

I would press your pediatrician to look into this. The sleep habits and change in eating habits sound concerning. I wish you luck.

So far my dd has acted just like yours every time teeth were about to come in. Wait a few more days Mama. I'm betting you're right and she's teething.

My son didn't get teeth until after he turned one. He did much of what you have mentioned, but to give you peace of mind I would take her to the doctor to just make sure everything is ok.