Teething...ALREADY?!?!?

My son got his first tooth at 4 months.
I used Hylands Teething Tablets...it's a safe homeopathic help for teething babies!! :)

Yep! My first son started around then.

We have successfully tried an old Baltic tradition- my son is wearing an amber teething necklace and we notice it certainly takes the edge off of his discomfort. Amber is made of pine resin, which has anti-inflammatory oils which dissolve into the skin due to body heat. The necklaces sell for $15 and up and are knotted around each individual bead to prevent accidents.

Hyland's teething tablets contain a combination of homeopathic remedies designed to cover the gamut of symptoms. You may be able to get an even better result from homeopathy by figuring out which "picture" of symptoms your daughter has. My husband studied classical homeoapthy, and we have been able to determine with both of our children which single remedy (rather than several lumped together) is best suited for each. Here's a simplistic tutorial for the common "ABC" baby remedies:

Aconite- an aconite baby is likely to have a wide-eyed (perhaps with pupils dilated), even anxious or surprised look and tends to toss and turn in sleep with shrieks and often bites fists.

Belladonna- a belladonna baby usually has cheeks RED, swollen, and HOT. They tend to seem angry (although may be normally quite good natured when not teething).

Chamomilla- a chamomile baby is just completely irritable & often has bouts of diarrhea when teething, as well as a red spot on one cheek (and sometimes the other cheek may be quite cold and pale). A chamomilla baby often does not like to chew on anything because pressure aggravates their sore gums. This type of baby often demands to be held and cries if held still or set down; is hard to comfort.

I think "how long" is very relative to the child. Sometimes, it seems like we have a "bad week" of teething and then a great week, then another bad week... "Calc phos" is a good homeopathic remedy if the tooth is really having a hard time coming out. It also depends onthe teeth- seems like the first one and the molars are harder for my kids.

Regarding being bitten, a sharp "No!" and quickly unlatching yourself (use your pinky) has worked for me. I have a friend who pulled hair... up to you! Not sure if it is a confirmed sign of teething, but I think its generally a sign that baby is done nursing and is starting to play.

Regarding being baby being "uncomfortable" during teething- I rememember being very afraid when my son would have fevers and diahrrea while teething, and becoming emotionally worn out from constantly comforting him. What helped me most was an article I read about holistic attitudes towards children's immune responses. It spoke of "honoring the illness"- that the goal of home remedies is not to stop the symptoms, just to reduce the severity. Honor what the body is trying to do and facilitate the conclusion of the process without complications. For diahrrea, nothing works better than broth- preferably a homemade chicken broth given a few tablespoons at a time. The gelatin in a broth made with not just meat, but bones, binds up liquid in the colon and gives it bulk to stop the loss of fluids. After we roast a chicken I put the carcass in a stockpot with water to cover, carrot, onions, and celery and after bringing it to a boil I let it simmer up to 3 days. Then I strain it and store it in the freezer for such a "healing crisis" as this.

When your child has a fever, holding her is often the most soothing thing you can do. As long as the fever doesn't go over 104 you probably are better off letting it take its course because we generate this type of heat on purpose in response to what our immune system understands we need to facilitate things. Our bodies are very wise, and the holistic attitude to "supressing" symptoms (such as taking pills to make fever diminish) is that rather than a surface acute condition which the body will have a struggle with, then overcome and be stonger for it- supressing the body's struggle will lead to a more chronic, internal problem. Just like with emotions- dealing with difficult situations to resolve them, even if it requires confrontations or turmoil we would rather avoid- facilitates healing rather than stewing over things inside and generating low level long lasting stress which takes a toll and then eventually begins to resurface in worse ways than it started. A child's ability to generate a good fever is a positive sign, because it is exactly this heat pattern which stops pathogens from replicating quickly if an infection is beginning. The more often we supress fever, the less the body will try to generate this heat.

My 14 month old just came down with a sudden fever this evening, and I made sure he was comfortable in cotton clothing so his skin can breathe well and wrapped him up on my chest in a baby carrier and just walked and walked with him in the dusky, calm evening. He just went limp in my arms and completely relaxed, his breathing became steady with mine, and he is now sleeping peacefully in his crib. I think when they sense that we believe in what their body can do to heal itself and we are not worried, they just receive our empathy and progress in their recovery. So cuddle with your baby if she gets a fever with her teething and sing her a song, and believe in her!

C.,
yes your little one could be teething at such a young age, my 4.5 year old was actually born with 2 teeth! As for a natural remedy there is something called Teething Tabs and they are little tabs that dissolve in your childs mouth almost as soon as they touch their tounge, they coat the childs gums to help with the pain. you can get them at almost everyday drug store and if i remember correctly wal-Mart carries them as well. I have used them with my 4 youngest children and they have been a life saver. good luck!

Yes, she can definetly be teething. My daughter had her first tooth at 4 months. Drooling is the biggest sign. Get out those bibs.

One of the best natural remedies for teething is something cold. You could use one of those teething rings filled with water that you put in the freezer. Wet a washcloth and put it in the freezer for awhile and let her suck/chew on it. Although controversial, you could rub some whiskey on her gums (there was a post a few months ago about this).

As far as when they will pop out and how long will she be uncomfortable ... each child is different. Once the tooth pops thru the discomfort usually ends, however, there's probably another tooth on the way.

It is possible. All three of my kids got there first tooth between 3 and 5 Months. By six months they all had at least 4 teeth, the top front two and the bottom front two.

My 1st daughter had 2 teeth at 4 mos old, and from then on, had a tooth for every month of age...6 teeth at 6 mos, 8 teeth at 8 mos, etc.

It's difficult for them when they teethe so young because they haven't really mastered their coordination to get teethers and other things into their mouths to chew on.

I used to freeze a clean, wet washcloth and let her chew on that. It seemed to help.

I am sure the process has started. My daughter started showing signs of teething around 4 months. She is 6 months now, and still no teeth. I know once they break through, she will have some relief. Until then, I use a variety of things. They make teething tablets, all natural, they seem to help. They disolve under the tongue. I also use baby night time oragel at night. I have tried everything, but she is just very uncomfortable at times. Good luck!!!

Hi C.!
You better believe it is possible! At only a few weeks old I had thought my babies (now almost 4 and 19 months old) were teething. No one but my mother believed me! My daughter popped her first tooth by 11 weeks old, and my son was 12 weeks old! Within less than a week they had their second! Then they all came in pretty quickly after that. It takes a few days for them to get used to the teeth with breastfeeding, at least in my case. I nursed my daughter until 14 months (she did not want to stop, but I had to) and my son nursed until 13 months (he had enough, and wanted his freedom!). Neither one of them ever really hurt me except for the first set of teeth, which didn't even break the skin. My son found it amusing to see my reaction! After a few firm no's and a little flick to the cheek with my finger, both of them got the hint that mommy was not going to tolerate the biting.
As for any bit of relief, they both liked to chew on frozen washcloths and your basic cold teether. When she is a little bigger you can give her a frozen cucumber, but slice it so that she can't bite it off easily, and when it starts to get soft, take it away. You can also put them in the mesh food bags (has a round handle with a mesh bag on it, so that no chunks of food can come out) if she will take that, this way there is no chance of choking. During the day I made sure they had something to chew on at all times and I occasionally had to give Motrin or Tylenol, but that was usually at night when the pressure on their ears was intolerably for them when lying down. They both also really took to the binki at this time as well. However, it wasn't until my sons 2nd round of teeth that I had even tried introducing the binki. He was getting in the top four teeth at once and I was looking for anything to help him.
Most likely if she is teething her gums will be quite red and swollen. When her tooth is just about to pop out you can see a white line in the middle. Well I hope this helps a little!
Chrissy

Oh yes..it's definitely possible! My sons, born 5 years apart, each had 3 teeth at 3 months and 6 teeth at 6 months. There are documented cases of babies born with some teeth already in. And if they come in early, they lose the baby teeth early as well. My boys were the first to loose a tooth in kdg. In fact, they lost several that year. They were happy as could be. By the way, I still breast fed for at least 12 mo.

she may be:) my daughter was crying every hour last night at 7 months so its probaly her 2nd tooth. last week the same thing happened with the first tooth. some babies cry for days or even weeks before the tooth pops, whiles others arent bothered at all(like my first). everyone is different. some babies get a fever, ear infections, ect. the only thing i notice is my daughters gum gets red and swollen for a few weeks, then all of a sudden its like a ball under her gums, then right after the tooth pops up. as for biting, i only got bit once as well, and just took her off and sternly said NO. im sure everyone does different things, but i def think you should take her off and not just keep going. if my daughter continues to bite i will take her off for 3 mins or so and then try again. i have read thats the best way but your baby is still young so she probaly really dont understand what she is doing. i never used anything on the teeth but hear teething tablets are a good more natural choice. good luck

Liquid Tylenol rubbed on the gums (not a full dose) works better than Ambisol. Try it on your own gums to test!

Tell the baby - "no biting!!!"- they know!

Hi C.,

Yes...teething already. My niece who is six months now has five teeth already. Her first one came up the week she turned five months. My sister is very happy with the Gentel Naturals teething drops and also she uses one of those screen things you can put food in to naw on. As far as biting.. that is usually a good sing of teething. You can try saying no but she will prob just think its funny. Babies want to nurse so you can take her off when she bites...and it may sound mean but you can also push her head in gentley when she bites so that she can't suck.. she will get the drift. Good luck... oh and babies teeth on and off for about two years.

Baby can teeth and grow teeth at any time. My son also seemed to teeth early. They can teeth early and still not get teeth for a while as well. My son is 9 months and he has had 8 teeth for at least a month and a half. He seems like he is always teething. So it seems pretty normal to me.

I use Hyland's Teething Tablets. They're made with Chamomile and some other homeopathic ingredients. If the teething is bad give your baby 3 tablets (I dissolve them a little in my mouth first and make into a paste) under the tongue then 2 every hour if the irritability persists. The directions are on the bottle. I do use Tylenol when the tablets don't seem to work...and sometimes nothing works and they just need to chew on things. I give him the mesh bag with an ice cube in it. I think you can get it at CVS or any baby store.

If he bites down while breastfeeding I push him into my breast and he opens his mouth. It's much better than pulling him off.(ouch!) I hope this helps!!!
-M.

yes, you daughter could be teething. My oldest son got his first tooth by 3 months, my second one he got his at four months and my last got his at 6 months. Every child is different. Teething Tablets or Teething Gel are great!! I have tried both and it seems that the gel last longer and you can find them at Wal-Mart, Hannaford, if you go to those stores. Those are two places I have found them and perhaps cheaper at Wal-Mart. They are natural and do wonders. which one to use, is up to you. The tabs you put under the tongue to dissolve, or the gel, yuou put on the gums. The only thing with that, is that if your daughter won't open her mouth, you may not get the all of it on her gums. I don't go out of it quickly as with the tabs, but it's up to you, the mother. With nursing, my last one decided to bite me and what I have heard and I don't agree with everything in terms of how to discipline my child but it's good to hear suggestions. What I said, "no" in a firm voice and I released my nipple from him every time and believe it or not, he did stop and didn't bite and tried once and I said, "no" in a firm voice....don't yell at your child, just be firm and take your breast away and try again. Babies are smarter than we give them credit for!! I enjoy being the mother of three as well...it's a busy life, but I wouldn't change it!! I thank Jesus Christ for my children and my husband! Let us know how you make out nad ask as many questions as you want and we'll help.

My daughter cut her 1st 2 teeth at 21/2 months so it is definitely posible. I gave her things she could gnaw on and there are teething rings that can be frozen that numb sore gums. I also nursed and got bitten, I screamed and she never did it again, but I don't know that you can plan that. Usually when they are teething there is a lot of drool and if you feel their gums they can be a little swollen, as to how long , it varies with each child. I have known babies that cut their teeth quickly, like my daughter and others who teeth forever.