Teething Advice - Hampton,VA

For a really restful night, try combining teething tablets, orajel and tylenol. It's the wonder combo. I didn't like to use it too often, only on the really bad nights when we ALL needed sleep desperately.

a four month old child should not be on prolsec. no studies
were done on children for this medication.. he probably
has reflux because he is on this medication.. take him off of it. that is probably why he haSNT cut any teeth yet. that
would also explain the extreme fussiness and him rolling over
on his tummy. the tummy is uncomfortable therefore they will
roll over to try to make themselves feel better. teething
biscuits are cheap and easy to find in the grocery store. try those and take him off the prolesec !!
K. h.

Try freezing breast milk or formula (whichever you use) in ice trays. Then place one frozen cube in a mesh feeding bag (you can find them with other teething toys). It's a little messy (just use a waterproof bib to keep his clothes dry), but the cold milk and rough texture of the mesh bag will feel good on his gums. You can also try the Razbaby teething pacifiers. I also have a 4 1/2 month old and she loves this! It's a little large, but she likes to hold it and chew on it. A cold, wet washcloth also works great!

As far as him not sleeping well at night, try giving him a bath (use the Bedtime Bath and Lotion) and a massage just before bed.

As for teething, that happens. Not a whole lot you can do for it, baby tylenol when they are old enough but having the experience with one child already should make that easier. When it comes to reflux though, I'm surprised he isn't sleeping on an inclined pillow. They make a lot of really good ones out there, or you can prop the mattress up on one end so it is inclined. You can probably ask the pediatrician for advice on a pillow or just look online. Good luck!

Our daughter, 14 months, just cut her 6th tooth. She seems to get cranky and tierd. She will sleep more, odd, I know. She also will get clingy. But she did not start teething until 10mon. Try giving him some ice, in one of those food net thingy's.... I hope you know what I mean. We also used frozen blueberries and peas. If he is not eating those foods yet ice works great. We also tried tylenol, no help, and the teething tablets were a waste b/c they have to dissolve under their tongue and we could not get her to keep them there, she would swallow them. This might sound mean but you may just have to let him be. Let him teethe and be cranky, and not sleep. It is a phase, he will either cut a tooth or not. Once they cut one tooth they just keep coming. So get used to the fussiness, embrase it. If nothing is working maybe sympathy will. Hopefully someone else will have some for you. When we figured out that nothing was helping our daughter we just told her "I'm sorry your in pain," "It's okay that you are cranky, I understand." "I wish I could make you feel better," and lots of hugs and attention. Teething is something they just have to get through, if they get through the pain maybe it wont be such a big deal next time. Ask your mother what she did when you were teething. Probably nothing. We haven't given our daughter anything, other than a cup of crushed ice and an extra nap, since her second tooth came in. I can tell when she is teething (runny nose, whinny) she still lets me know she is in pain but I just don't think its a big deal. She isn't dying. Who knows when she is 15 she may ask "Mom, couldn't you tell I was in pain and needed something, why did you ignore me?"... scarred for life. She may develope a higher tollerance for pain, have the ability to self-soothe and not need anything artificial/medicinal.
On another note, I wonder why he is sleeping on his stomach? You didn't say but was that his choice? Do you put him to sleep on his stomach? You may have to use a sleep possitioner to get him to sleep on his back... some people do not condone sleep possitioners so ask your ped. We had to use one b/c our daughter needed to be put to sleep and kept on her left side as much as possible. With reflux the ped should have told you to keep him on his back. My sisters kids are grown but when they had reflux they were rearly prescribed meds so I would research that, or get a second oppinion. She says that back then they were told to go ahead and start rice cereal, even addining it to night time bottles. They heavyness helps to keep the acids down and the added food keeps the acids "busy" if you will. I don't know much about infant reflux, I do know that their stomach muscles are not developed enough to keep the acid down and once they are the baby will grow out of this. He just needs time. This seems logical to me... do some research. Also some babies like to be swaddeled, try that. Some babies don't so you might want to try giving him some freedom. Put warmer PJ's on and don't wrap him up. It is trial and error. Keep in mind that he could be teething and going through a growth spurt at the same time. Things tend to happen all at once. And that could explain the sleeping issues. I would also have his ears checked, that can cause sleeping issues. Maybe the sleeping issue is unrelated to the teething so try treating each issue seperately.

What do you do when you're in pain? Just before naptime try giving him some pediatric tylenol. I use MelaGel personally, but not everyone has some, it worked great for my daughetr with her first set and it works great now that the adult teeth are coming in.

Hi S.,

Try some of those teethers that you can freeze or chill first. Also, a frozen carrot can work well. Also Anbesol can help.

Good luck, S.