Conference moira::parenting_v3

    
    Sandy,
    
    I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter is teething at 4 months.
    I also wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't actually *get* a tooth
    for several more months!  My son started this drooling and chewing
    stuff around that time and didn't get a tooth until he was 9 months
    old.
    
    I have to chuckle (cry?) when people say things like "she gets 
    cranky now and then".  As the parent of a colicky baby, I would
    really like to know what it's like to have a baby that is ONLY
    cranky ever now and then!   However, if she gets really cranky
    for her and has more trouble than normal sleeping...you might
    want to have your doctor rule out an ear infection ... though they
    are somewhat unlikely unless she's had a cold.
    
    Good luck,  Carol

    Carol,
    
    I do have to say, she is a good baby! She only gets cranky when she's
    tired or hungry. Very rarely does she break out into crying fits.
    And she does have problems sleeping, but it can't be an ear infection
    because she lays in her crib and coos and coos and squeals with joy!
    That's about the only problem with sleeping....she's to busy listening
    to herself to sleep! ha ha!
    
    Sandy
    
    

    
    	Sandy,
    
    	I know exactly what you going through.  My son started teething
    	at 4 months. He's six months now...his drooling is like Niagra
    	Falls...I can't believe how much water comes from the poor child...
    	He does have his fussy times and I do relate it to teething. 
    	Sometimes when he's cranky at night I'll put a little tylenol on
    	my finger and rub it on his gums.  This seems to help.  I can't
    	wait till that first one comes through!
    
    	Ellen

    Yes, I do know of a baby getting teeth at 4 months!  My son got
    4 teeth between his fourth and fifth month.  We thought his fussing
    was colic but it actually was teeth!
    
    Pam

    My son also got his first tooth at 4 months.  After the first one,
    he didn't get another one for a few months, but he did drool a lot.
    
    		- janice

>    And she does have problems sleeping, but it can't be an ear infection
>    because she lays in her crib and coos and coos and squeals with joy!
    
    Sandy,
    
    It might still be an ear infection; David wasn't even fussy with
    his last one.  I only noticed it because he kept tugging at his
    ear, and his balance wasn't too good.
    
    --bonnie

    Yes, our daughter was teething at 4 months, got her first tooth
    around 5 months, followed by two more within a week or so.
    
    The first teething episode was the "pits"  (front four within
    a month).
    
    Then around Thanksgiving (14 months) she got a little fussy (but 
    slept through the night and pretty much ate on schedule).  I didn't 
    think much of it and BAAMNN!  Three molers!  Two weeks later, 
    the last moler.
    
    The other day (at 15-1/2 months), the sitter said "you know, Juli
    just cut an I-tooth".  Huuum, I thought ... a whole battery of shots
    last week, followed by a new tooth and the kid seemed to act just fine
    to me!  Either, I've become more tolerant of her fuss-eees ... OR ...
    she's found a way to cope with "changes" ... OR ... we've both improved
    our attitudes (which is probably the case!). 
    
    I just love the 1-year stage ... actually, once JA started walking
    (10 months), she seemed to become a little person, independent, fun,
    self-entertaining, communicative and quite humorous with her innocence.
    Her personality seemed to come alive at "a year" and we really notice
    her learning achievements and growing milestones -- every day is
    "something new".
    
    If only I could hold Juli at this stage - 16 months!
    
    Dottie         

    Dottie,
    
         Sounds like I have alot to look forward to. You know as funny as
    it seems, I just can't picture Danielle with teeth! I'm so used to her 
    smiling with all gums. I can't wait for that first tooth. It's one of
    those tremendous milestones for a parent. And though she's only 4
    months old, every milestone reached is one day closer to not being 
    my little baby anymore!  Why do they have to grow up?  Ha Ha!
    
    
    Sandy
                    

    
    Sandy,
    
    My 41/2 month old has also been refusing his bottle lately.  I'm not
    sure what it was - he is doing exactly what you said yours is doing,
    only drinking half etc.  he will actually throw his head back and
    scream if the bottle is put in his mouth.  I'm not sure if this is
    teething or not.  Tanner is on solids, and he gobbles those right up,
    and i gave him some juice because i didn't want him to not get any
    liquid, and he drank that about the same.  This was going on for the
    past couple of days, then lastnight he drank his entire bottle no
    problem at all!!!  I don't know, they always keep you guessing.  He
    also loves to chew anything, mostly his fingers.  I rubbed his gums to
    see if I could feel anything, (he loved that...) but still smooth as
    can be.  L
    
    Let me know how it ends up!
    
    elizabeth
    

    
    
    My oldest daughter cut her bottom two teeth at 3 1/2 months, and top
    two a few months later.  I don't remember how fussy she was though, 
    cuz it was 17 years ago.  Isn't it nice that in time we only remember
    the good stuff   ;-)))
    
    Kathy

    What really cracked me up was when JA cut this huge smile and all
    you saw was these two little, tiny, iddy, bitty pearlie whites --
    center bottom two!  I still remember that day ... I nearly split 
    my gut laughing!  Shot a whole roll of film trying to get a picture
    of her two pearlie whites  (well, we got one pix out of 36 attempts!).
    (I wonder what the film developer thought I was trying to do?)
    
    And the more I laughed, the bigger she smiled ... I'm laughing now
    remembering it!                                               
    
    Dottie

    re 9
    
    Elizabeth,
    
    When you said that you feelt the baby's gums, but they were still
    smooth. Are the gums supposed to be bumpy when teething? Because
    my mother felt her gums and noticed some bumps. Anyway, Danielle
    had started drinking her whole bottle again yesterday. I guess somedays
    she gets fuller than others.
    
    
    Sandy

    
    Sandy:
    
    With Juli (and every kid is different!), we noticed that:
    
    .  gums would get "puffy"
    .  then harder (as teeth worked their way upwards)
    .  then little hard bumps just under the gum line (often Juli
          would "work" her gums until they were almost callused!)
    .  then JUST before they pop through, you could see what looked
          like little white blisters (but it's those pearlie whites
          pressing against the last layer of gum)
    .  then the gums get little pin holes (that's when the pressure is
          off their gums and they're happy again!)
    .  then the corner of a tooth pops through (you don't always "see"
          it, but can feel it's sharpness)
    .  then it gradually (week or so) works itself "totally" out of the
          gum  (and they'll experience a little sensitivity again)
    
    ... we watched this process with acute interest for the first one,
    two, possible three teeth.  Now we find out which she flashes us her
    new tooth or our sitter tells us about it!
    
    AND a word of wisdom ... think twice before you use YOUR fingers to
    check on THEIR pearlie whites.  Why?  Well, would you stick your fingers
    into JAWS?  Those new little teeth are razor sharp!  And your panic and
    pain will only encourage a child to "clamp down harder" (out of fear,
    as they watch you dance and hold your breath).  Juli actually broke
    through the skin of my finger ONCE (only once, though!).
    
    Dottie

    My son Matthew is also doing what you discribe.  He is 4 months old and
    for the last couple of days he hasn't been eating all his bottle.  He 
    will eat 1/2 then not want anymore.  If I offer it 1/2 hour later then
    he will finish up, mostly.  He has also been drooling alot and sticks
    his hands in his mouth.  I don't know if its because he has a slight
    cold,( coughs some and sounds stuffing alittle) or if its his teeth.
    
    I have one question.  Does most babies find their ears and play with
    it or do they only do that if they have an ear problem.  When Matthew
    eats his bottle sometimes he will hold his ear.  My gut feeling is that
    he just found his ear but what do I know I'm new at this.
    
    I don't know whats going on either.

>    I have one question.  Does most babies find their ears and play with
>    it or do they only do that if they have an ear problem.  When Matthew
>    eats his bottle sometimes he will hold his ear.  My gut feeling is that
>    he just found his ear but what do I know I'm new at this.
    
     Yes, it can be just because he's found his ear. Also, I've read that
     some of the nerves associated with teething are also "attached" to 
     the ears and that the baby pulls on the ears in an attempt to 
     relieve the discomfort.

    Jake's bottom two teeth popped through just as he turned 4 mos., but
    didn't get any more until now (8 mos.).  The second two to come in were
    his upper "eye" teeth.  We call him "baby dracula"!  Have many of you seen
    this before?  We thought it odd.
    
    -ali
    
    

    Both of my girls had teeth by 3 months (no hair, but plenty of teeth!).
    
    With Caileigh, we never had a hint until we actually saw the teeth. 
    However, she screamed bloody murder whenever she got an ear infection.
    
    Paige lost her appetite and even spit up whenever she was getting a
    tooth.  She still (at 2) gnaws on everything in sight, including
    people!  But ear infections didn't bother her in the least.
    
    -Tracy
    

    My daughter is doing the same things as others are describing, and she
    is also 4 months old.  She eats less at times, ALWAYS has one or both
    fists in her mouth, cries at times, and last night she even cried when
    I gave her a bottle of formula. After a few minutes she settled dwon
    and drank it. She will chew on anything, especially my finger!
    
    I am taking her in for her 4 mo checkup tomorrow. I have been told that
    this is natural teething and that the teeth probably won't come in for
    another month or two yet.
    
    Mary

    
    Sandy,
    
    When I said they were still smooth, I remember when Spencer was
    teething I could feel little bumps, and i could see the little white
    slits under the gums.  Then I would keep feeling and eventually you can
    feel the teeth through the gums, like a little sliver.  You can't
    really see the tooth yet (well I could, but when I told someone, they
    would say "where"?, and I'd say right there, can't you see?,"......
    
    anyways, Tanner has been drinking his bottles better lately, but still
    sometimes he will scream if you try to give it to him, and as soon as I
    stop he laughs smiles etc.  weird.  I'm relieved to see that other
    babies do this too
    

    
    REF.16  My daughter also got her two bottom teeth first followed by 
    	only one of her eye teeth.  She was knicknamed FANG for awhile.
        The doctor said that it was unusual but that it does happen.
    

    What about getting four bottom teeth and the first-year molars but
    NO eyeteeth?
    
    --bonnie

    Bonnie,
    
    I read somewhere (Dr Spock, I think) that it is "most common" for
    the 4 fronts and the first year molars to come in BEFORE the 
    eyeteeth.   Surprised me! 
    
    Carol

    Oh, really?  Thanks, I'd never read that, and Kat's and Steven's
    all came in in order.  
    
    --bonnie

    Ryan's eye teeth came in last, and verrrrry slowly - like one a month!
    Looked odd, but didn't hinder his eating!
    

    
    
    	Without going back and reading all the replies listed here,
    	does anyone know if diaper rash is associated with teething?
    
    	My daughter is six months old and while she's drooled up a
    	storm since she was two months old, she's just suddenly
    	gotten a diaper rash (never had one up until now)
    
    	I'd like to try and attribute it to teething since the
    	only other answer I would have would be that her daycare
    	provider left her in a wet diaper all day - which wouldn't
    	make me happy.
    
    	Anyone else have symptoms?  Other than the rash, she really
    	hasn't acted any differently.
    
    	/Kim

    When my daughter was teething she always got a diaper rash.  Right
    before the tooth came in (within a couple of days) she would get a
    severe rash - raised, red, and bumpy!  It looked very painful yet it
    didn't seem to bother her except if we used wipes on her.  Our pedi
    said that we should use a warm wash cloth to clean her up.  The rash
    would disappear within a couple of days.  One thing that we did notice
    with this type of rash is that it would appear suddenly and leave
    suddenly - there was no period of it gradually getting better or worse
    - it just happened.  
    
    The explanation that our pedi gave was that the saliva and mucous are 
    very acidic and can cause irritation to the skin (you may notice a rash
    or irritation on the chin as well).  The saliva/mucous are swallowed
    and may irritate the skin when a bowel movement or urine touch the
    skin.
    
    

    	Hmmmm...
    
    	That's why I was curious.  My daycare provider says she
    	changed Cassidy at 1:45.  My boyfriend picked her up at
    	4:00 (we live across the road a little ways) and when he
    	went to change her she was red from belly button to bum
    	and screamed bloody murder when he tried to use a wipe.
    
    	He did get a warm face cloth and used that but you could
    	see her tense up.  Her skin was VERY red, chafed and dry.
    	)8  We soaked her in Aveeno that night which seemed to
    	help quite a bit.
    
    	That's why I was concerned when, in a two hour span, she
    	had suddenly gotten this diaper rash.  It does seem to
    	be better now so I guess I'll just have to wait and see
    	if a tooth comes out of this scenario.
    
    	Thanks!
    	/Kim
    	

    
    I'd also recommended lube-ing her up good with something like
    Desitin at each diaper change.   I usually use Lotrimin (I think
    that's it, it's a prescription med for yeast infections) then
    cover it with Desitin.   The diaper rash ointment protects the
    skin and makes the next diaper change go smoother (especially
    poops!).
    
    Carol

    There are many health care professionals out there that will say
    that all kinds of symptoms we regularly associate with teething
    children are "Nothing to do with teething".  It is evident these
    professionals have never had children!
    
    On the other hand, it is always wise to monitor the symptoms, that
    you do experience and put down to teething, for them either
    not improving in relatively short order, or more symptoms occuring
    and then to arrange a dr. visit.   Also, if you are not happy about a
    symptom call the Dr.  Always err on the side of safety.
    
    Stuart

    Gack!  I hate Desitin (I can never get it off my hands, and I don't much
    care for the smell).  I do use it when necessary, but fortunately my kids
    rarely have had diaper rash.

    One thing that causes that "now you see it, now you don't" type of
    diaper rash for my kids is orange juice.  I'm sure other foods could
    do it, too, depending on what your child is sensitive to.  You might
    want to check whether your child had anything new to eat or drink that
    day.

	cheryl

    Cheryl:
    
    If you don't like the "fish smell" of Desitin, try plain Zinc Oxide!
    Works just the same, and no smell!
    
    (The voice of experience again!!)
    

    Lotrimin is no longer available only by prescription.  I used to buy it
    by the truckload for my girls diaper rash, but now I buy the
    over-the-counter gyne-lotrimin (actually I wish it was still available
    by prescription - much cheaper when PCS pays!).  I also hate Desitin
    and can't get it off my fingers.
    
    Has she been on any anti-biotics?  My girls always get yeast infections
    when they've been on anti-biotics.  Yogurt helps too...
    
    Kristen
    

    
    re: getting Desitin off your fingers
    
    I don't much like the stuff myself, but I'm sure that Jason would
    trade my moderate discomfort for his flaming diaper rash in a second!
    
    I find it helps to wipe my fingers off on the inside of his diaper
    (disposable) just before taping it up.   Soap and water seems to
    clean up the rest fairly easily; although the odor hangs on for
    awhile.
    
    Carol

    
    
    	RE: Not being able to get Desitin off your hands
    
    	Hmph... I got it off my hands just fine by using one of
    	her baby wipes... 
    
    	In answer to someone's previous reply, nope... hasn't
    	been on any anti-biotics and nope... nothing out of
    	the ordinary in her diet either.
    
    	It DOES seem to be almost gone though.  Part of me is
    	really hoping a tooth will emerge over the next few
    	days! (8
    	
    	/Kim

    Does anyone know if the powder version of Lotrimin, I think is was
    Nystatin, but not positive is still available via prescription.  If the
    name I'm using is wrong, the point of my question is if there's a
    powder version of Lotrimin still available with Rx, then you may still
    have a little cheaper "out", than having to pay the huge
    over-the-counter price of Gynelotrimin.
    
    I actually preferred the powder to the cream for a lot of reasons, even
    though the powder container was extrmemly tiny.
    
    Lyn

    
    
    I have a daughter 8 months old.  She also got a daiper rash at about 
    6 months.  By golly, the next week a pearly white showed up.
    I used Johnsons ointment it worked really well. (only had to use it
    twice)  Johnsons has there trade mark fragrance not like that stinky
    desitin.
    
    Kathy

Our first clue that Michael was getting a new tooth was the diaper rash he 
got from poopy diapers.  When he's teething, it seems a dirty diaper burns 
his bottom if it's only on him 10 minutes!

Steve

    
    
    	RE: .37
    
    	Well ...it happened.  We were at the Big E in Springfield
    	last weekend and lo and behold, I saw this little white
    	thing in her mouth. (8
    
    	The following day it broke the skin and is well on it's
    	way up! (8
    
    	/Kim

    Hey Kim, congrats to your little one on the new tooth!!
    
    Now wasn't it worth it??
    
    I remember his first two teeth were positively the worst, but after
    that unless we ran a finger over his gums, or saw something we
    absolutely never knew when a new tooth was in.
    
    I hope you can have that sort of luck!
    
    Lyn

    I just thought I would give you this trick that my mother taught me
    with my oldest son.  If you think that they are cutting their first
    teeth and wan to tell very quickly...take a small glass and rub it on
    their gums.  It kind of maginifies the gums...
    
    Give it a try...it really works...and it's better than letting them
    bite your finger.
    
    
    Lillian

    
	RE: Lyn
    	>Hey Kim, congrats to your little one on the new tooth!!
    
    	Thanks!
    	
    	>Now wasn't it worth it??
    
    	Hmmm... I'd have to think about that! (8  ya... I guess it
    	was... (8  
    
    
    
    	/Kim

    
    	This really isn't a question about teething early...rather on the
    	other hand teething late!  My son, Matthew is 18 months, and is
    	just getting in his one year molars.  Correct me if I'm
    	wrong...these are the ones near the four top and four bottom.
    
    	Well, the thing is, he's having a MISERABLE time with it...and so
    	aren't we.  The poor guy just got over getting his tubes in for
    	the second time (two weeks ago) and the flu last week, combined
    	with bronchitis.  He has a low immune system, so he picks things up
    	very easy.  Anyway, last night he woke up screaming every hour!  It
    	was awful.  He wanted a bottle (I'm still trying to get away from
    	that, but it's been hard with the flu), every time.  I gave him
    	tylenol every four hours and nighttime orajel when he woke up.  But
    	he's still miserable.  He was screaming every time he woke. 
    	Needless to say, it's killing me (4+ months pregant) and his
    	father.
    
    	Now I don't think it's his ears, cause right now he's on Ceclor and
    	he has the tubes.  Has anyone else gone through this awful
    	experience, and how long does it last?  Before he got sick (last
    	week) he was waking...but nothing like last night.  
    
    	This a.m. when he did wake up (of course I had to wake him), I
    	did feel the bump of the tooth coming in.  The poor guy has such
    	swollen bumps on his gum.
    
    	Can anyone offer any advise on this?  How can Matt, me and my
    	husband get a good nights sleep.  And how long will this go
    	on for?
    
    	Ellen ( a Mom to be in much needed rest)
    
    

    I think the molars are misnamed anyway:-)  My 3 1/2 yr. old just got
    the 3rd of his two-year molars, with one to go!!
    

    When Steven was going through some similar misery (and the only
    help I can offer is hang on, eventually the teeth will come in and
    you'll all get some sleep), I explained to him that it wasn't
    anything wrong, he was just getting his molars in.  
    
    He looked at me sadly and asked, "Mama, why am I getting moles in
    my mouth?"
    
    You might want to call your dentist to see if s/he has any
    suggestions.  It's really miserable watching the kid suffer, but
    if the tylenol doesn't work there's not much else you can do. 
    
    --bonnie

    Ellen,
    
    I can't offer too much advice, just sympathy.  It sounds
    like you are taking all the right steps to ease his pain.
    
    I agree that the molars are mis-named.  Steven was a late
    teether, first tooth at 8 mos. and didn't finish getting
    all of his 1 yr. molars until just before his 2nd birthday!
    
    Have you and Bob tried taking turns getting up (you the first time
    Matt wakes, Bob the 2nd time etc...?)  That routine helps us
    get 2 hours at a time instead of getting up on the hour.
    
    Good luck!
    Linda

    My daughter is cutting 4 molars and has been suffering since about
    mid-December.  We go through the bedtime ritual including reading books,
    and give her a good dose of Tylenol before bed.   She doesn't need
    Tylenol during the day if she is busy.
    
    We have a humidifier running in her room at night.  Maybe that is why
    she sleeps through most nights, and resettles quickly after a dose of
    Tylenol.  The white noise is soporific.  If you are not already doing
    so, I would run a humidifier in winter and a fan in the summer.
    
    Also, when she wakes at night, I keep the lights very low, talk
    quietly, and generally keep down the level of stimulation until she can
    get back to sleep.  I give her the Tylenol either in her crib or
    sitting on my lap in her room.  At most, I bring her in the bathroom
    while I pee, and immediately it's back to bed.  Once I gave her a warm
    bottle of milk that she drank eagerly.  I would consider this as a last
    resort - I don' want to get her used to midnight snacks.
    
    Laura

    We used Ora-jel, a jelly which you apply to the gum which
    numbs it locally.  It's instant relief while Tylenol takes
    time.
    		-John Bishop

    I had to bring Sara (16.5 months) in for a suspected ear infection a
    few weeks ago.  When the pedi was checking her throat she noticed how
    swollen her gums were from trying to cuther 1 year molars and  
    gave me a small amount of Tylenol with Codeine to use at bedtime for
    a few nights so she (and we) could get some sleep.  Obviously this is
    not an every night type thing, but, if you are having a particularly 
    rough few days it could give you all some relief.
    
    The other thing we did was to give her a teething ring to take to bed
    to bed with her.  She seemed to like that.