Babys First Year Blog
So This is Teething
I can’t be the only momma around who has blamed teething for every bout of fitful and grouchy behavior. It seems like we all do it. He’s mad? He’s drooling? Must be the teeth!
You may remember the first time I thought he just had to be teething. It was 4 long months ago. Since that time, I have realized and am willing to admit that I don’t always know what is wrong with Tate. Is he tired? Maybe. Is he hungry? Probably. Does he not like you? Also a distinct possibility. Sometimes kids fuss and cry. And I am done pretending I possibly know why. I just do my best to make him happy (read: I put him to the breast and nine times out of ten, he’s good).
After two months of postulating the exact time of his first tooth’s entrance, I stopped looking for it. Yesterday, Tate started chomping on my knuckle (his preferred teether) and BAM, it hurt! After ten minutes of trying to get a good look and swiping his gums with my finger, I confirmed my suspicion: buddy’s first tooth is coming in. I still can’t quite see it, but I can clearly see the spot on the gums preparing to make way for it. And the kicker? I am not noticing any changes in his behavior. The drooling is steady, the crying is occasional, and the sleep is just how it has been.
Let’s just hope he finally stops biting me while he nurses, because things could get very ugly around here if he doesn’t.
Did your baby’s behavior change when they were teething?
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5 Comments
Megan commented on Dec 19 11 at 11:38 pmso glad to read this post! I was recently at my daughter’s 2 month well visit and I brought up the issue of teething. my pediatrician basically laughed at me and said the whole teething theory isn’t real. he essentially said teething doesn’t cause any physical change in the baby (fever, runny nose, excessive drooling) because those things just sometimes happen with babies. but all babies eventually get teeth so it’s easy to blame them as the culprit. so funny to actually have this reiterated by a mom!
Bre commented on Dec 20 11 at 7:51 amMy baby would be a shark by now with how often I blame his teeth for his moody behavior :) It’s a great excuse for when the in-laws ask why he’s crying! I’ve, literally, thought he had a tooth coming since the 4 month mark…we are at 7.5 months and still no toofs…
Lo commented on Dec 20 11 at 8:13 amWell the pediatrician can say what he wants but the change in mood (crankiness, excessive drooling) coincides with the new tooth, each and every time. I have just two kids but this I know for sure. What I can say about teething is that you know it was all about the new tooth only after it cuts, one tooth will pass unnoticed while for the next one she may wake up around the clock all night. Yeah, I know for a first time mother (even for the second baby) you never know for sure if it is teething or not.
My guess is that the pediatrician means “do not label everything as teething for there may be something more serious”.
Sara commented on Dec 20 11 at 11:39 amThe only definite change I have seen in my baby’s teething is that he has an increase in frequency of nursing, especially at night. It only lasts a couple of days and then a tooth pops out! The first two teeth came out on the same day and I did notice some extra fussiness, but it hasn’t happened with his later teeth.
Meagan commented on Dec 20 11 at 1:18 pmI’ve had people telling me my baby must be teething since he was under 2 months! He’s close to 7 months now and so far not a single pearly white.
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