My 15 month old daughter seems to be getting all of her molars in at the same time. For the last 4 days or so she's been absolutely miserable. We've gotten down to only having a pacifier when she sleeps, but I've given it back to her during the day during this time of need. My question is, am I doing the right thing? Am I damaging her ability to cope or undoing any progress we've made on getting rid of the pacifier once and for all? Is there an alternative to getting through the teething process that's worked for you? I've tried frozen wash rags, teething rings, teething gels, Tylenol and Motrin, Hylands Teething Tablets...I just feel like she's too old to be running around sucking on this thing all day.
If you've found something that helps her, give it to her, I say! You're not scarring or hurting her; you're helping her get through the pain. She'll give it up later, when she's ready. It won't make it more difficult to give it up later, especially if you wait until she's old enough to understand, rather than just having something she loves taken away one day. My daughter gave hers up at 3 1/2 with no tears, no fights, no trouble.
My kids loved the mesh little bag things that you put food in for an infant to eat without choking...not sure how to describe it, but we put frozen fruit and ice cubes in it when my girls were teething. It lasted longer than a wash rag and they were essentially getting a snack at the same time.
I can't believe Tylenol or Motrin didn't help. I say give her the paci and don't worry about it. I think parents are so overly concerned about when they should take away certain childhood objects like pacis, bottles, blankets, etc. If it makes her feel better, then why not? Also, someone suggested frozen teething rings. They should never be frozen just cold. Frozen teething rings can actually injure a child's gums.
I think that if the pacifier is the only thing that gives her comfort right now, then I would give it to her too. She will learn other coping strategies as she gets older...including the ability to tell you about it. On the other hand, while I think it is providing comfort. It may not be the pain that is bothering her. She may be feeling more insecure for the reason. I say this because none of the methods of pain relief are working. My son did not give his pacifier up during the day until 2 and at night until 2 1/2. My daughter ditched hers at 6 months. I think that each child is different and you have to trust yourself to do what your child needs.
Best of luck.
Best of Luck.
Personally, I think you shouldn't have given the pacifier back. It will just make it harder now to get rid of it again, b/c she'll think she can get it back.
The bags the last poster talked about do work great! I got them at Toys R Us in the baby section. You can put frozen fruit in there for some healthy flavor while she's chewing on it. Teething is horrible, and I don't know if it's better to have them all come in at once, or one at a time. My son doesn't do well while teething, either. On his worst days, I would alternate tylenol/motrin (talk to your doc about dosages) and use orajel. He really likes frozen teething rings, too. This time will pass, and you WILL get through it!! Fortunately, she won't remember how bad it hurt after the teeth come in!
