Coping with teething

One of my Day Zero goals has been to get through Edward’s teething. I noticed an increase in his dribbling at about 4 months and foolishly thought this was teething and we would soon see a tooth! How wrong was I?! I really wish someone had told me about teething as I was completely unprepared for the disruption it would bring. His first tooth finally came through at 10 months.

I was surprised how hard the whole process was (and continues to be) for myself and Edward. When it started we had just begun to get into a night time sleeping routine. Teething pain has often resulted in disrupted nights for all of us. Instead of the long nights of uninterrupted sleep we all need, I’m up a couple of times a night, administering drugs if necessary and soothing Edward back to sleep.

I find it easier to cope during the day as it’s possible to distract Edward from the pain with an activity, walk or snack. During the day we rely on teething powders as a natural pain relief and I only give infant Nurofen at night.

Looking through my photographs makes me realise how he’s often captured chewing on a toy or whatever is close to hand. His bright red cheeks stand out on his pale face. Other effects of teething are heat from his poor red cheeks, being tired/sleepy, diarrhoea, occasional loss of appetite and grumpy too.

 

At 11 months Edward has two bottom teeth and over the last few months I have definitely found it easier to deal with. Two lovely positive things are his lovely toothy grins and the fact he can begin to chew food!