Need Advice on Molar Teething & Starting Table Food.

Many years ago people used to give their child a teaspoon to chew on. This way they could get the handle part to the back and hold on to it with the spoon part. Teething is hard and all you can do is help with the pain until they come through. Just remember this will pass in the next few months. Give the Orajel during the day. You can rub your finger across the gum to see where the teeth are. If they are close to the surface you will feel little spikes in the gum and know it will soon be over. Yes, they might clamp down on your finger but there are no other teeth back they and it shouldn't hurt much.

As to the food, it hurts to eat. Try soft foods until the teeth come in. When he is hungry he will eat. It's just part of growing up and being a parent. May be a little more formula is order right now. Stop worrying he will be fine.

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Teething can also cause a fever in your baby. Take his temperature and make sure it's not high. If it is, motrin will help greatly with this. Also, get some tylenol. Alternating Motrin and Tylenol every 3-4 hours during the day. I hope this helps!

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I have 2 yr old twins who had a hard time teething also. Everything i tried didnt help. I did motrin, tylenol, teething rings and tablets, even rubbing whiskey. My doctor told me to mix equal parts benadryl and maalox. She said the benadrul would help to sleep and help with the sinus issues and the maalox would help with the poop issues and together they form a numbing effect. Rub your finger in it then rub it on the gums. It worked beautifully.

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I would rub motrin/tylenol directly into the gums. It was suggested by my doctor (who says orajel only works for less than a few minutes.) It worked wonderfully and I gave my kids most of their dose and then took the remainder and rubbed it directly into the gums and it help quite a lot. I also have a fabulous pediatric dentist if you feel the need to go and would gladly pass on his information if you want to go that route.

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Molars are the hardest teeth to cut for our wee ones. I use to give my children a cold washcloth to gnaw one..one with a lot of texture to it as well as the pain relief when I could. He could be turning down food because he hurts right now, but trust me they will eat when they are hungry. Once the tooth is through the gum, he should get better. I would ask your physician how often you can give him the pain medications too.

Just give him lots of love and hugs. :0)

J. S.

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My father in law is a pharmacist at Children's Medical....he suggested to me to use a Q-tip and dip in a little children's Benadryl and rub on there gums. He says that it numbs the gums better and I personally thought it worked better than the orajel!!!!

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Babies-R-Us sells a triangular teether that is supposed to reach the molars. You might use it in addition to the other great advice you were given.

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The teething thing is really difficult and seems to differ so much from child to child. My little guy is one on Thursday and has 5 teeth. He started teething when he was 4 months old but we didn't see his first tooth until he was 7 months. He went through a lot of pain. When he was going through his toughest days, I would give him ibuprofen or paracetamol during the day as well as at night. You might also try putting washcloths in the freezer and letting him chomp on those. He may not be able to get it back far enough into his mouth, but the coolness of it will help soothe his teeth.

With regard to food, my son has been on and off of it several times - especially during teething times. My mother-in-law told me that babies' taste buds change when they are teething, so they don't want foods they normally like when they aren't suffering. Again, rather than giving him hot food which might further irritate his mouth, try giving him something cool - like yoghurt or a smoothie or something - or bits of cold cheese. You might also try cold carrot sticks for him to gnaw on or some cold grapes cut into pieces. My little man can't get enough grapes. Also, I supplement with more milk when he's not eating enough. He never took to warmed milk - so he's always had it at room temperature or cold from the frigde...

Don't worry too much - as long as you can't see a dramatic loss in weight - he will be fine. He is just going through a difficult time and will get through it soon. You just have to grin and bear it in the meantime! Try the cool stuff though - I find it works. Good luck.

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The best thing that I did during teething was get those little nets w/handles by munchkin. I would put frozen fruit in it and it felt good for my kids to rub it across their gums but also not choke on anything. Another thing I learned with both of my kids is that the way they eat changes. Both of them were unpredictable with one day loving something and the next day hating it. It's frustrating but that's just how it goes.

My guy seems to like nawing on cold wash rags. He's 15 months, so I also give him a popsicle from time to time, he loves that! If you're not quite ready for popsicles, you could try pureeing fresh fruit and making a homemade frozen fruit pop. Or since he likes bananas, making he'd enjoy a frozen one! Hope you find something that helps. We're cuttng a molar this week, and it's definetly not fun!

Hi D., Teething is so not fun! Try those feeders by Munchkin, you put a piece of fruit like a peach or peeled apple in little mesh pockets that look like those old popsicle makers we had when we were kids. He can gnaw on that to his heart's content. He'd get nourishment from the fruit and if you put the fruit in the freezer some relief from the pain. Also, just something to think about, the teething tablets didn't work for my son when he was cutting his molars they were wonderful when his front teeth were coming in. I've had a couple friends that have said the same thing. Not sure if it's the extra pressure or what. Good luck!

Good morning, D..

Sounds like your little one's teething problems may be a key to his eating ones as well. If his gums are that sore, chewing food could be the last thing he wants to do. His list of favorites seems really healthy. Perhaps he would like yogurt or scrambled eggs if he doesn't have an issue with either of those foods. Since both are soft, they might appeal to him. Have you tried giving him a washcloth with a small amount of crushed ice in it as a teether? He might be able to get that back far enough to do some good and the cold should sooth the pain. I'd keep my hand on one end of the washcloth so he doesn't get it too far into his mouth and choke himself.

Good news is that teeth do come in eventually and this won't last forever!
B

My 9 month old daughter LOVES chomping on cold carrots. She'll gnaw on one for an hour or however long we let her She's got more teeth now, so she gets little pieces off and swallows them, but she doesn't choke, and since carrot is healthy, I don't worry about it. She also loves chewing on my sons wood blocks - the little round ones without corners. There isn't any paint, and she doesn't actually bite into them enough to break any off, and they are well sanded, so it seems safe enough. She also loves using her baby toothbrush and chewing on the rubber part of the dropper for the baby tylenol/baby motrin.

The teething won't last for long, you'll just have to wait it out. Sounds like you are doing a lot already, and I would let him chew his thumbs if it helps.
As for the food, he's little to be eating so much. The first year, a baby can live on formula or breastmilk alone, so as long as he is drinking plenty of that, then give him what he wants, and don't worry so much. I'm sure the teething is slowing that down, too, it probably hurts to eat. Try giving him healthy smoothies if you are really worried.

About me: I'm a mom of 10, and been a foster mom of over 50 children.

I asked my doctor abaout this just yesterday. Mine suggested Sonic Ice. Just giving him a couple of pieces to chew on at a time. Sonic ice is just so soft and not jagged like ice makers.

Hi - We just went through this. Try cutting a banana into quarters and freezing and then push into the net / sucky things on a stick. It is terrible to clean but worth it for the babies to soothe their gums, with the bananas quarted my daughter could get it further in versus the teething rings. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Good luck with the teething. Your little one usually has a routine but the teething messes it up and you most of the time start over. There are some natural remedies at Whole Food Stores that desolve in the infants mouth. However, it sounds like you are doing everything. The frozen wash clothes also help once in a while because it can get back far enough. Also, they (Babies R Us) or One Step Ahead sell that mesh thing that you can put frozen stuff or fruit in and your little one can suck on it. The eating thing sounds like a combination of teeth and transition time. Of course check with your Dr. when you go in again. All the best!

D.,

For my boys (ages 2 and 15 mo), teething was something that we've just got through. Lots of motrin and patience. Regarding eating, I've come to the conclusion that I just can't stress about it. My oldest might have one meal every other day. He just hates to eat food. He drinks a ton of milk, which gives me some comfort. He takes a multivitamin. I can't get him to consistently eat anything. My pediatrician doesn't seem too concerned, so I figure his little body will figure it all out in due time. My youngest eats everything under the sun, which is such a treat! My favorite thing is to watch my two year old feed his brother his green beans or for that matter his french fries. My two year old already knows how to clear his plate. Ha Ha. Good luck and don't sweat it!

Your a 1st time mom, it your right to worry. Yes, you are worrying too much, babies go through periods of eating and not eating, but it's ok to worry. As long as he get nutritious food everything is ok. My mom let us gnaw on chicken leg bones and we came out fine. There are hard baby biscuits, maybe celery, you know, foods that don't break off in big chunks. I even think that an unopened icicle pop (those thin and long ones) might be a great idea, and if he puts a hole in it at least it will taste good.

There is a product made by Hyland, called Teething Tablets. They are small, and melt in you mouth. I thought they sounded quite 'hokey', but when they worked with both of my kids, I questioned no more! Last time I checked, WalMart carried them in the baby section, near the sip cups, pacifiers, baby toothpaste etc...They are less than $5.oo. When I first used them 6 yrs ago, I could only find them at Whole Foods.

On your next doc visit (or sooner if your really concerned or if he is losing weight) mention it to the ped... but it's normal for little ones to have some weeks of packing the food away, and some of turning it away.

Eating Gerber's Little Crunchers helped my daughter through that teething issue. She also did well with soft spout sippy cup (she chewed on it while sipping cool drinks).

Keep trying the table foods- it's frustrating, but sometimes they have to be offered ALOT of times and suddenly they love the food. Does he seem hungry? If not, and he isn't losing weight then he is probably just fine- it's just hard on you.

Some table foods my daughter loved at that age: steamed apple, steamed sweet potato, kiwi, plums, Gerber's ravioli's, green beans, mashed potatoes.

I HIGHLY recommend Ziplocks steaming bags- it makes the food prep so much easier!

Don't fret, mom. Teething can be tough, but if chewing on his fingers is helping him, then let him do it. My 15 month old daughter has two molars, and the top two are still trying to break through. She is constantly chewing on her fingers because, as you pointed out, nothing else fits back that far. The only issue I have is that sometimes she gags herself! One item that does work is a toothbrush -- the ones for beginners are soft and rubbery, and that seems to sooth her urge to chew. And as for the eating, he is still young and will have his ups and downs. I'm assuming you are still giving him at least 24 oz. day of formula/breastmilk? If so, then that is where most of his nutrition is coming from. Most likely the eating thing is an extension of his teething. Again, my little one has had her ups and downs with eating (we're on an "up" right now . . . she's eating everything, but I certainly couldn't say that a few months ago!).

Hang in there . . . you're doing everything just fine, so don't stress too much!

HI D.! Hang in there, I know this is a tough time, but you WILL see this thru!
I just wanted to say that when my middle child was teething we made a discovery by accident. I was brushing her teeth one night, and she started chewing on the toothbrush in the back. It really seemed to help her. I would only let her chew on it when she was laying down to get her diaper changed, so I could supervise her. I also checked the bristles often to make sure there where no loose ones.
As for the not eating, I agree with the other responses. His gums are probably sore, so he does not want to eat. Most of his nurishment should be coming from breastmilk or formula until he is a year old. I am the mother of 3 darling kiddos, and one thing I have learned is they go thru eating spells. I think this is due to growth spurts. Some days they hardly eat at all, and other days they eat you out of house and home. Don't fret too much, if they are hungry they will eat!
Good Luck and best wishes!

I have a 9 year old and 4 year old. I promise you he will eat when he is hungry. As for the teething, I have heard that Vanilla extract on the gums works well. I have never used it so I don't know. The motrin worked for us. Good luck!

Do you remember when your wisdom teeth came in? I do, I was nauscious(sp), couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, and then one day, they were thru the gum, and I was fine. As a dental assistant, I know you are worried, but he is fine, try those popsicle treats in the plastic tube, let him knaw on those. (if is ruptures, he has juice to drink) Try pediasure, and just keep the liquids coming. Why not motrin during the day? Why not orajel during the day? This isn't going to last for months, just a week or two, talk to your Pedi if you are really concerned, but this sounds normal, really!

Get the teething tablets by Hylands. Its a all natural soothing ad for the child. You melt them under the tonge as often as nessasery. I worked great for my daughter