My Little Boy Seems Frustrated

I'd check w/the doctor and make sure they listen to you and don't just brush it off. It could be minor, but treatable, if it's gas, reflux or yes, teething. Those buggers hurt! I never found Orajel effective, and there are concerns about using it because it can numb their gag reflex.

I gave my kids Ibuprofen, as it's meant for inflammation, which is what teething offers - inflamed jaw and gums! Tylenol helps, but I found Ibuprofen more effective and it works for 8 hrs. vs the 4 of Tylenol, so they could sleep longer. There may be an issue w/giving it to babies less than 6 mo. old, so I'd ask the Dr. if it's OK, because they can base it on weight. I actually had to use Rx med w/higher amount of benzocaine than what OTC Orajel offered w/my son.

Good luck!

Hi S.,
How observant of your little one you are :) Sounds like you love to notice everything about him: watching him grow and change.

Since you say he makes the same sounds when smiling and playing, is it possible you are mis-interpreting the sounds as "frustration?"

At this age, your sweetie is truly finding his voice, and learning to recognize it as his own, apart from Mama and Papa's voices. This sounds like pre-language stuff. Ya, he'll get frustrated not knowing how to move his body around, but frustration is part of learning, and that's something everyone learns to deal with.

I help my second son with his teething (it's been almost constant, on and off, for over a year - ugh) by gently rubbing his gums with an extra-soft baby toothbrush 2 or 3 times a day. That's been enough to stimulate the gums and make the process a little easier for him.
T

I would like to recommend those Hyland Natural products. Places like Sprouts typically carry them. They are natural, safe, little white, soft pills that dissolve quickly in the babies mouth. I always give them as baby gifts for teething, colic, etc. I've used them with all my children, and even use the the PMS or Sinus or Headache ones for myself. They really take the edge off. If these pills don't help at all, then a visit to the pediatrician to check ears is probably in order.

I have a question? Where/what is OKC?
My best,
Jennifer

He might be teething. Some children get very irritable when teething. I have 3 girls and all of them have gone through a stage right around that time where they have just been really irritable, and a lot of it had to do with teething. Don't worry about the rolling over, at least he's rolling over even if it's just to one side. I have an 8 month old who only rolls over from her tummy to her back, and isnt' crawling yet. Everything else she's doing just right! Don't worry he'll get there, and if you still feel unsure then just call the doctor and tell him/her about it! Good Luck!

Having one child with tubes and one that will most likely be getting tubes (3 ear infection in the past 3 months), I think it may be an ear infection when you say that he is not sleeping well. Is he pulling on his ears at all? Mine don't usually get a fever unless it is a REALLY bad ear infection, but I notice that they are just not themselves and their sleep pattern is bad. They wake up and don't want to lay down. I like what all of the other moms have said too. I would just keep the ears in mind and watch him to see if he is pulling on them. If you are unsure, it sometimes just makes you feel better to have the doc take a look. Good luck and I hope your little guy gets back to normal soon!

It sounds like what all 4 of my boys went through as they approached those transition periods (rolling over, crawling, walking, one nap). They tend to get fussy or irritated- it seems like something just isn't right.
He will roll over the other way. It sounds like he is telling you how frustrating it is. It is wise for you to let him try for a minute or so. And it won't do any harm for you to help him out. It may even help as he gets the feel of it. He will reach those milestones in his timing. Enjoy each stage. Though it seems to take forever for them to figure these things out, it truly is brief.

It's always okay to go to the doctor with your concerns, because they might recognize something that you wouldn't know about. But, I have noticed that really intelligent children often seem fussy/ grumpy until they learn to communicate. When they can tell you what they are thinking, they are much happier. And many times they are the ones who won't say anything until they can say a whole phrase. It's amazing how many times I have seen this - a fussy/ grumpy kid all of a sudden becomes animated and excited when they can finally talk. Whatever it is, good luck!

Like Carol said, my pediatrician said to NOT use orajel because it can numb their throat, etc. What helped my son with teething was the homopathic teething tablets and like another person said a soft tooth brush, or even one of the finger tip first toothbrushes works good to massage and stimulate the gums.

Good luck

DO NOT GIVE ORAJEL!!!!!!

According to my daughter's pediatrician Orajel causes an increase in heart rate as do other "teething soothers". If he is teething, a wet frozen washcloth, popsicle, or regrigerated teething ring will suffice.