My daughter is 14 months old and just started teething. Ever since that time I noticed that she has been more whiny, cries a lot, just wants to be held all the time, and refuses to eat. A few weeks ago she used to be a very happy child and eats a lot. Now, she always cries after maybe a few bites. My question is, should I worry about her not eating? I still breastfeed her. Can I also relate the loss of appetite to teething?
yes she is teething and as long as she is still nursing she is getting enough calories and nutrients..isnt it great you are still nursing!?!?!? Youd be so worried if you werent right now!
I agree with the other posters that if she is still breastfeeding she's fine. She's is of an age that she will not starve herself. The breastfeeding is providing her with more comfort while she is dealing with the new teeth.
What I did with my son is similar to another poster I would give him a piece of Ice to suck on. I would wrap one end of it in a wash cloth so he could grip it. I would let him suck on that for a bit before eating and throughout the day when he was teething. I am sure it goes without saying that they need to be attend while they have the ice. I always saved the Oralgel (nighttime) for naps and nighttime so it would be the most effective. With the ice you get the added benefit of reducing any swelling.
I also recommend massaging her gums if she will let you.
Hang in there! Your doing good.
Ditto on what the other 2 Moms are saying.
My little guy just turned 18mos and has been working on molars for what seems like months.
When they are bugging him, he is clingy, cries more often, and like you say, doesn't eat. - Which is very unusual, as he is otherwise a VERY good eater.
During those times I've learned to just offer very bland, soft foods - at room temp - he doesn't like cold things. So we do overcooked noodles, applesauce, yogurt ....kinds of things.
It's tough on everyone, but it does resolve. - Also, when the molars are really pushing through, it's not unusual at all for them to run higher temps (100-101)
My son also had a hard time eating when his one year molars came in. That is very normal. It also takes a long time for the molars to come in compared with the other teeth. You could try rubbing some baby orajel or numbing her teeth with something frozen a little while before she eats. That might help her get some food down. As long as she doesn't look like she's losing weight, I wouldn't be too concerned. This too will pass. Good luck!
My son has trouble eating while he is teething as it is very painful. I get him a frozen pacifier, and put a little orajel on this gums about 10 minutes before I feed him and that seems to help. Also because I nurse him somtimes it is easier to give him a bottle of Breast milk vs. nursing him. I would not worry her appetite will come back once the pain subsides.
