Teething (Molars) Questions

[becka]

Well I got back just a little while ago from taking Nathan to the Dr. because I was 99%+ sure that he must have an ear infection but the Dr. say no. His ears look fine.

I know he has been teething lately (working on first molars - we can feel all kinds of bumps/lumps in his mouth) and he has a bit of a cold but I just don't understand how that can cause a little guy to scream and dig/pull/tear at his ears like he has been. His teachers at the daycare were also shocked to find that he did not have an ear infection because they had observed the same behavior we were seeing at home. He is fussy all day long and he keeps waking up at night (or from a nap) just screaming and crying. He pulls on his ears so much all day and night..it is really hard to watch knowing there is really nothing I can do.

We have been giving him Children's Motrin (Dr. said we can up the dosage) for the pain and Dimetapp for the cold, we have tried Orajel (works for about 2 minutes), we have given him countless things to chew on but it is hard for him to get them back in his mouth. I got the hot water battle out last night for his ears but he won't let me hold it up to him for more than a second. I don't know what to do to help him. Does anyone have any ideas? It is so hard to see him hurting and I really miss my sleep and my calm easy-going baby.

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

I could never do this my self but it was done to me.....If you can feel the teeth just under the skin take a spoon (or maybe you can give him the spoon to chew on while watching him closely)and kinda scrape over the spots where the teeth are trying to come through, yes it will hurt him for a minute but it will relieve all the pressure of the teeth pushing out and he should feel much better.

Also I used to give DD a warm wet wash cloth to suck on, a little easier to get in the mouth farther.

Hope he is feeling better soon!

 

[clutter]

My dd was Mr. Hyde while her teeth, especially molars, were growing. Even at 6, I can call it when they're about 2 months from showing up! Then when they were cutting through, she'd toss around in her bed and scream in her sleep.

All I can say is Motrin. And pure Benedryl (dye-free) at night for the cold. That'll help him sleep.

Good luck. I know your pain.

 

[ahutton]

My DD is going through the same thing. She went to the doctor this morning so she could get checked over and get a note to go back to day care if she was okay. All was clear except those poor little gums. Here are my suggestions:

Hylands Teething Tabs - I give her 3-4 depending on how she is doing. They seem to help her sleep a little better. Must be the chamomile (I'm sure I spelled this wrong!)

Kids Motrin - I dose right before bed.

The Right Start has a beginning tooth brush set for $9.95 on their web site that has a gum massager included that is far and away the best molar cutter I've found. I've seen similar sets at Target and Wal-Mart. My DD will carry that all over the house with her and chew on it for hours. The pressure seems to help.

I also, right before bed time, spend a few minutes massaging the area right behind the jaw bone below the ear. Our pediatrician said that will help stimulate clearing of the eustacian tubes and prevent anything from backing up into an infection!

 

[Kermit]

I've got a bottle of Hylands teething tablets ready for when Jacob starts teething. I've heard wonderful things about them from other moms, but I haven't needed them yet. You can use them along with Motrin or any other traditional medication because it's a homeopathic remedy, so you won't have any problems with interactions. I'm not sure that the Hylands will work on pain nearly as well as something traditional like Motrin, but the chamomile should help calm him down.

You can also give him regular chamomile tea, just water it down a little or add milk/formula to it.

 

[Princess_Aurora]

Where do I get these Hylands teething tablets??? I've never heard of them.

I also just went to the dr Friday thinking DS had an ear infection. He was doing all the same things, screeming in pain, pulling on the ears, not sleeping through the night and he even has a cough. The dr said it was probably a combination of teething and just a common cold. She suggested tylenol cough&cold for infants...it has pain releavers in it and it soothes coughs and clears congestion. It's been working pretty good so far.

 

[Kermit]

You should be able to get Hyland's teething tablets in the baby medicine section at just about any grocery store or pharmacy. You can usually find a wider variety of Hyland's products at health food stores.

 

[believe]

I was fortunate and my daughters' pediatrician prescribed a prescription orajel type medicine. My friend's doctor wouldn't give her a prescription. It definitely depends on the doctor.

 

[Havoc]

try putting a wet washcloth in the freezer, and then let your baby suck on it. it always works!!

 

[mtemm]

no advice on the teething but might have an idea about the ears. Daniel has never had an ear infection...at least not so far, knock wood. There have been a few times when I would have sworn he did...pulling at ears, seeming to be in pain. The dr. told me that while there is no infection, there definitely could be congestion...no fun for a baby.

 

[Minnie824]

Couple things...first my DD is getting her eye teeth now....she's had problems waking up, etc every set of teeth....not fun. Two of the past three nights she woke up asking for us, and ended up in our bed. We had tried to let her cry, but she could go on forever with that. So, last night, I gave her some Benedryl before bed, and it was back to her normal sleeping of 8pm-6am....that and the tylenol definitely help her.

Also, I've noticed when she has some congestion we put a cool mist humidifier in her room and it really clears it up and helps her too. Good luck!