Teething and Loss of Appetite

Hi I.-
Both of my boys had loss of appetite when they were teething. The little one has a horrible time, and awakes at night, gets diarrhea, which leads to diaper rash. He carries a fever, scratches at his neck and head, the poor little guy is a wreck. Baby Tylenol works wonders. He is 16 months, and is still getting teeth...it takes him weeks to cut the tooth!! He likes teething rings and cold bottles. Good Luck!!

My daughter got her two bottom teeth at 4 months old and is now (at 6 months) getting a top tooth. Her appetite is low while teething as well. It has never lasted more than about a week though. Good luck with the teething! It can get pretty bad at times and I feel so bad to see my baby in pain.

Dear I.,
Both of my children lost their appetites during teething.
One got a runny nose and a horrible cough that sounded like he was on the verge of dying. It was so scary! But it was teething. If my daughter got a diaper rash, I knew she was getting ready to cut a tooth. It happened every single time. So, their are lots of different things that can happen during teething. And loss of appetite is one of them. Your little guy also had to have surgery for his mouth and will need another one. So, any type of mouth pain may make him disinterested in eating. Just getting a tooth can make kids miserable as it is. Try letting him chomp on frozen juice bars. The good ones with real fruit. That way you'll know he's at least getting something. Try frozen yogurt. Get one of those little spoons that has the rubber coating so it can't hurt his teeth or gums if he wants to bite it. It may sound crazy, but at that age, my kids also loved mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. Just try different things. He won't starve himself. He just doesn't feel like eating right now. Just so you know, as kids get older, they go through phazes where they barely eat. It always made me nervous. But, next thing you know, they are eating everything in the house. And for my kids, my nephew, my friends kids, it always signalled getting ready for a growth spurt. So try not to worry. He'll be okay. And I will really think about you and the surgery you have coming up for him. I am so lucky that I didn't have to go through anything too traumatic with my kids.

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Take care!

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Yes, my daughter was the same way. It's okay. She had enough body fat to sustain her for quite a while. When she teethed, my husband rubbed her gums. . . for hours on end. She'd lay in his arms and he would rub away. Two happy little campers on the sofa.

Dear I.:

I have two kids of my own they are 3 and 5 now but, I do remember them losing the appetite when they were teathing. The best remedy that I can recommend is baby Tylenol and there is this thing called the Baby Safe Feeder. I got it from Babies R Us. And you can put solid foods like half of a bannana or frozen strawberries. They loved it and chewed on it all day. I suggest you try to find one online at Babies R Us. I actually looked it up for you and it is Item Number 110749.

Good luck.

S. Rickey

yes - normal - don't worry

My daughter started doing the same thing at around 6 months and I thought she was teething for sure. I could actually see little white marks on her gums where the 1st teeth come up. She didn't get her 1st tooth until 11 1/2 months. When she did get her actual teeth she wasn't chewing on things or even drooling excessively. Unless you see swollen gums and little white teeth coming up- you can't be sure that she is teething. Babies appetites change all the time for various reasons (weather, growth spurts, illness etc...)

You can expect changes in sleep patterns every few months -- every time I think I have Domani figured out she changes up on me again and WHAM, we're in a whole new routine... they like to keep us guessing :o)

Sometimes I give her the teething tablets before her bottle, settles down her little gums and makes her able to concentrate on the task at hand -- getting fed! LoL

I.,

Your daughter will be fine. This is a normal process which she is going through. I would recommend Pedalyte to help her maintain the electrolites that she needs. I give this to my son everyday while his appetite is low due to teething, not more than 9 oz in a day. Due to not wanting a ton of 'sugar/sweetener' drinks, I only put about 1-2 oz flavored with the balance of non-flavored. Works wonderfully. If you use a binky, put those in the freezer for a few hours, or any toy that your baby likes to chew on - the colder the better. My son likes to gum the bottom of cold cans, soda etc. when they get where he doesn't like them he stops; try a cold wash cloth. And don't forget to give him the motrin. This is a huge life saver.

Here's a little something I found for you from AskDrSears: Refusing to feed
This is the most variable of all teething concerns. Some teethers never miss a meal, others accelerate their nursing for comfort, and a few may pass up even their most trusted human pacifier. Offer cool, mushy foods—for example, applesauce and frozen fruit juice slush. Put these on a cool spoon to make a real hit. I don't agree w/any type of juice yet. Google Ask Dr. Sears and you'll find lots of info.

Rest assured, we're going through it or already have.

T.

Perfectly normal. James was not very hungry either when he is teething. I gave him cold bottle and lots of cold not frozeen items to chew on. His hungry well come back when he is feeling better. Just remember no one eats that much when they don't feel good. So it is ok.
Good Luck
A.

I pray God will heal your child and give him strength has well as you and your family. I pray God give you strength to stand. This is only a test, it to will pass. Stay prayful, pray without season and remember God will not put more on you then you can handle, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. God loves you, and he is waiting for you to come it is not to late and it does not matter what you have done. He said come as you are, He is married to the back slider. Do not worry about what other are saying God will deal with them. He knows your heart and He see you are trying to live right come to Him. Ask for the ear to hear Him again. He has not finish with you, He has a work for you with young women and children. Whole on to His hand and let Him lead you. My sister I pray that God’s will be done in your life and the name of Lord Jesus Christ. Your son will prophecy, raise your son in the God.

Your son mouth is most likely sore. Try giving your son a Popsicle; you can freeze some go gurt, or something cold. It will numb his mouth. The go gurt he can nipple on it and feed him at the same time. You can do the same thing with fruit (freeze it and let him nipple on it). One word of caution does not let it freeze to hard. Also, let it sit out for a few minutes. Please what every you give him that is freezen please be sure there is no sharp edges or rock hard.

Agape Love,
T.
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I., my niece would only eat frozen peas when teething. They were cold which soothed her teeth. You might give that a try?