He's cut his two top teeth which are down and showing now but for the last two weeks he's been really really miserable and cries most of the day. If I leave the room even for a second he screams. He follows me everywhere (bless him) and wants to be held or touching me. Is this all part of teething or is it part of another stage. I want to do the right thing by him and whilst I don't want him to be unhappy I also don't want to encouarge him to be clingy and would like him to be able to play with his toys without me there. Any advice would be gratefully received.
2006-11-07 21:20:07 · 23 answers · asked by Lily 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Could be the teething but sounds more like it's just the stage he is going through. You won't damage him by leaving him in another room though it is heatbreaking to listen to it. He'll grow out of it soon enough (though I remember everyone saying that to me in the 1st year which felt like it was a whole lifetime in it'sself)
My second baby was really clinging, so much so I was dreading her first day of playgroup. However, I needn't have worried as she ran off without a backward glance and is the most sociable wee thing I know.
If your worried it's medical (an ear infection etc) best to get it checked but really sounds just like the usual 8 month stage I'm afraid.
Just remember your not alone! All us mums have advice (usually conflicting!! lol)
2006-11-07 21:30:30 · answer #1 · answered by Jen S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My youngest was miserable when she was teething last year! I found that Tylenol or Motrin were miracle workers, they definitely made the pain more bearable. We would also use a little baby orajel to help numb the gums (but be careful, don't use too much it can be dangerous!) I agree with the cold toast, that was a great idea as she tired of teething ring quickly. We also used Popsicles and she loved them. She was a bit younger when her teeth came in (6 months) so we were holding the Popsicle but your son could probably hold onto one on his own. Although they are messy it seemed to help and it took a long time to eat! She was also ultra clingy while she was cutting teeth and I tried to balance out how much I was holding her to how much I was just near her. I would just make sure that she had toys or something to keep her occupied in the room that I was in and she seemed to be happy.
Hope this is helpful, teething is a painful experience!
2006-11-08 10:30:09 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sonia (my niece) is 18 months an' she's been teething so I can understand your concern. I'll be really honest he's going to be like this forquite a while, get him some things though that will feel nice on his gums an' ease the pain also because it does cause quite a bit of pain calpol (an' a few other comapnies) make a really good teething gel which eases the pain. Apart from that I'm really sorry there's not really much else I can tell you except maybe just cuddle him and stuff.
2006-11-08 05:33:40 · answer #3 · answered by Kalishnikov 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like, as well as teething, he's going through his 'clingy' phase. There's not much you can do about that, other than not make a fuss when you leave the room, tell him where you're going and why, reassure him you'll come back from being out of the room and give him lots of cuddles for being a brave boy when you do return. My daughter's 2 on Sunday and she's still going through it! Hopefully, with your little boy, it won't last as long.
All the teething suggestions so far are excellent, and hopefully one will work for you. Best of luck.
2006-11-08 05:32:12 · answer #4 · answered by Roxy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get some bonjela and rub it into his gums fairly hard, my son used to love it, and the harder I pressed (without hurting him of course) the more relief he felt. He would fall asleep within minutes.
He used to love to chew on cucumber or carrot sticks, I would freeze them for a while to make them really cold.
As for him being clingy, you will need to be firm and consistent with him. Tell him mummy will have to leave the room for a few minutes, but that you will be back soon. Let him cry. It wont hurt him, and then come back into the room after a few minutes. Give him cuddles and loves when you come back. Repeat this several times a day. Let him learn that when mummy says she will be back soon, she means it. It is the fear fo you going and leaving him that is bothering him. Once he knows that mummy wont be long, he wont even miss you! If you have to go upstairs you could always call down to him, saying things like mummy wont be long, so he hears your voice. It is a phase, it will pass. I know it is hard for you. I remember leaving my son at playgroup for the first time, I could hear his cries as I walked away. It broke my heart, but after a few days he was fine. You just have to stick to the same routine.
Good luck.
2006-11-08 10:46:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor little guy is frustrated because of his gums and he lacks the vocabulary to tell you how he feels. He wants to be comforted, and he wants it from you. I don't think you'll be encouraging him to be clingy, because there'll be other times when you will have to leave him on his own, & he'll understand what you mean by your tone of voice and your behavior.
My 1 year old went through the same thing & he's still cutting teeth. They want sympathy, & I say give it to him now that they need it. You could also get one of those mesh-screen food-holders and put stuff in it for him to chomp on for relief (like a slice of refrigerated apple or peach). Sometimes teething rings aren't great because they only come in contact with limited areas of the mouth. E-mail me if you want to talk to my wife or myself. We are first time parents all alone in this part of the world. But we'll always have each other and will share what we can with you if you wish. Hang in there and give him a loving hug from me. Peace!
2006-11-08 05:30:56 · answer #6 · answered by Xceed One 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poor you, and him! Anbesol, boots teething gel and dentinox are all good. They are lignicaine based and numb the gum straight away and you can reapply every 20 minutes if necessary. Each is a different flavour, so experiment to find one he likes. (Don't use bonjela or calgel as they can only be reapplied after a few hours!)
At about that age they do tend to get clingy, as they are learning that you aren't permanantly attached! Try using a sling to carry him in. They are easy to use, and you can carry him on your hip, and still have two hands free to get on with things, and he gets his cuddle! They are comfy, and don't strain your neck and shoulders like front slings do, and you can use them up to 3 years old.
2006-11-10 18:47:24 · answer #7 · answered by Bernice W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, Different babies are affected differently by teething, but this does seem to be the symptoms of teething. I found a toothing powder or Bonjela rubbed onto the gums helps. You can get these from any chemist
2006-11-08 05:25:50 · answer #8 · answered by Tharmesh B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ashton and parsons sachets and medised liquid medicine, the medised as a mild sedative which helps promote natural sleep. My daughters are aged 3 and 20 months and both products worked wonders. They both can only be purchased from a chemist. Good Luck!
2006-11-08 05:32:41 · answer #9 · answered by The chandlers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
his behaviour is normal... my daughter the same and generally just really crappy worse now the molars are coming through.
calpol will really do the trick (don't know what you have in the US - basically i'm talking about a painkiller made for babies, the same you would have for a headache, but not so strong)
this stuff also helps with mood as well, and you can really tell when it has worn off. what i have been strong about is that whilst she may not feel good, being crappy with me isn't going to win her points. i saw a mother who went all soft, and her little boy now manipulates every minute of her time now.... but that's just one case, all kids are different.
2006-11-08 10:50:29 · answer #10 · answered by sofiarose 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋