Teething, Allergies, Hunger? Or, all of the above?

Question

My daughter is 3.5 months old. Lately, she cant seem to relax while she sleeps. She often squirms in her sleep. In addition, she rubs her eyes, drools alot, wants to chew on everything, and also seems to be hungrier than usual (she hasnt started solids). I dont know if she could be teething, or if its time to give her solids soon (when she turns 4 months), or what. Anyone experience something similar with their baby? Thank you.

Additional details: she is very active. Seems like she will get up and walk if she could. Also, she has eczema (so I dont know if something it itching her or not). Lastly, when she does move around and eventually wake up and cry, a bottle soothes her back to sleep. She isnt looking to play.

Answer 1

Babies can start teething early, they may not get teeth for awhile but their gums are working on moving them. Those symptoms sound like classic teething things. There is a homeopathic remedy at the stores by a brand called Hylands, teething tablets. They really helped my babies calm down and feel better.

Answer 2

My daughter has been doing the same thing for the last few weeks! She's currently 4.5 months. The sqirming all night and frequent waking has been driving me bonkers! I think that part of it is teething (although my baby's been doing the drooling thing since she was 3 mo and no teeth yet), and part might be wanting food. She nurses a lot and still seems hungry. Here's a checklist I found or signs to look for to start solids:

# She is at least 4 months old.
# She weighs twice as much as her birth weight.
# She weighs at least 13-15 pounds.
# She can sit with support, allowing her to lean forward when she wants another spoonful and backward to refuse.
# She has control over her head and neck muscles and can turn her head to refuse food.
# She has stopped exhibiting the extrusion reflex when you put a spoon in her mouth.
# She is drinking at least 32-40 ounces of formula per 24-hours and still wants more.
# She is breast feeding at least 8-10 times per 24-hours (after the first few weeks), empties both breasts at each feeding, and still wants more.
# The time between feedings becomes shorter and shorter over a period of several days.
# She can bring an object in her hand directly to her mouth.
# She shows interest in others eating around her.
# She becomes fussy in the middle of the night, whereas before she slept through with no problem. Or her sleep periods are becoming shorter instead of longer.

I found this on superbabyfood.com - a great resource. I'm going to try giving her avocado (organic) this week, and I think I'm going to pick up the Hyland's teething tablets too. I've heard lots of good things about them. Good luck!

Answer 3

Sounds like the drooling and wanting to chew on everything is teething. As for solids, when she is four months you can start experimenting....just give her a bite or two of something each day (do the same food for about five days, then switch to something new) to see how she likes it. Squirming in her sleep is probably associated with the fact that she is becoming more aware of her surroundings. If you have her sleeping in your room, try putting her in her own room. If you are a nervous wreck (as I was when my son slept in his own room for the first time) put a baby monitor in there--not in the crib, of course--and the reciever in your room where you are sure to hear it. If she cries, go in and check on her but try to avoid letting her notice your presence, if possible. If you think she is hungrier than usual, maybe she is not getting enough formula/breastmilk. If she is on 4 oz, bump her up to 6, if she is already on 6 oz, bump her up to 8.

Answer 4

Could be teething or a growth spurt. Maybe seasonal allergies too. Its really hard to tell. The thing I'd warn youi to be careful about is her ears. When she acts all wierd, press gently on the outside of her ear where the flap is. It will hurt her if she has an infection. My son had infections as a baby that I never knew about and he's in speech now because of it. Hold out on solids till 6 months. She doesn't really need them till then. And when you do give them, start with oatmeal and make sure she can swallow it instead of just spitting it all back out. If she cannot swallow it, wait a few weeks before trying again.

Answer 5

She could be staying up to babble (practicing to talk) or various other milestones (scooting, sitting, rolling over, etc). That is sure to keep a little one awake. You'de stay awake too I bet if your skills advanced so much with each few minutes of practice.

It does sound like she may be teething. Milk has as many calories as solid foods, so it probably isn't hunger, unless she is very very active. Do you have any reason to suspect allergies?

It's probably a combination. Remember, a child approaching a milestone generally sleeps very poorly. I have a 8 month old son on the verge of walking and he says Ma ma, da da, ba ba, errr, and plays fetch with balls and cars he bats around. He been hitting movement milestones for months and even though he can sleep for a stretch, I wouldn't call him a good sleeper. LOL

Answer 6

Teething and the fact she's more ready for some solids than you think. Sit down before bedtime with a bowl of rice or oatmeal cereal. You know that Gerber brand!!! Maybe mix a little of the strained banana with it.

Of course if it's teething...the Dr. told me to rub a little beer on they're gums to help numb it but there are other products that are a little more effective.

Anbesol works well.

If it hurts a little baby aspirin might help too.

Answer 7

Sounds like she may be teething.my daughter got her first two teeth at 4.5 months.I thought that was really early,but the pediatrician assured me that it is normal for them to cut their first teeth as early as 3 months.It's probably not that she is hungrier than usual,but looking for something to comfort her itchy gums.Give her a cool teething ring,or anything she can chew safely.I am sure you know how it feels to have an itch someplace you can't reach in order to scratch(frustrating huh?) That's how she feels.Just do what ever you can to make her as comfortable as possible.Teething biscuits are good to,as they are soluble,hard,but melts down easily.

Answer 8

At alomost 4months she can start basic solids. She seems to be a little hungrier to me. And drooling says teething has started. Start cereal. And next week start fruit. She'll be much happier and sleep better.

Answer 9

I would guess that she could possibly be teething and want something solid like cereal... then again the exzema could be making her itch and she can't scratch it so make sure to use Aquaphor or Eucerin to help with that (My oldest has it and has since she was a baby)... I would try to introduce cereal to her as well and see if that helps too.

Answer 10

Sounds like she's teething to me. Maybe some baby orajel might help.