First Tooth!

After what seems like months of pretty much ‘pretend’ teething (drooling, chomping, diarrhoea – see previous post), just over a week ago we finally had some action; something had broken through the gum which looked suspiciously tooth-like.

Oh yes. There was no mistaking some of those real teething symptoms: red gum gnawing at everything and anything (including my face, chin and finger), unsettled, a bit fretful and clingy which isn’t like her at all.

In addition we had some middle-of-the-night wake up calls so Calpol and kids Bonjela were at the ready.

Coincidently (and very weirdly), my first wisdom tooth decided to come through at EXACTLY the same time as Mrs T’s first tooth. Call it a sympathy pains. Dads-to-be apparently get them when their partner is pregnant and some mothers experience their child’s pain and vice versa – like this inspiring lady details in her blog.

Whatever the theories around sympathy pains are, there was no doubt that mine and Mrs T’s was REAL.

Having a tooth sprout through the back of my gums at this particular juncture helped me to understand Mrs T’s predicament much better. As it broke through my gum, I couldn’t stop running my tongue over the area, pressing against it, trying to sooth it. No wonder babies are so compelled to shove everything in their mouths. It is irritating, uncomfortable and you can feel a nasty dull throb.

But then I am a grown woman. I can handle it. Poor little Mrs T was experiencing a brand new event in her life with far more sensitive gums and no doubt a far lower pain threshold.

Being able to sympathise with her, and feel what she was feeling, hopefully helped me guide Mrs T through the experience a bit easier. Now it is here!! One of her pearly whites (her right incisor) has finally emerged (so those who guessed she would get them before our kitchen was completely finished, you guessed right). Only problem is the other bottom incisor is now coming through, so here we go again…round two.

Here are some of my teething tips

Toys/Teethers

Always have a toy handy for them to gnaw on (without any small parts, obviously). Mrs T likes chewing the bunny ears of one of her soft toys.

Get a teething ring which can go in the fridge. Mrs T likes chomping on this one from MAM and this butterfly toy by Sassy.

SOPHIE the Giraffe – Surely THE essential baby toy? What a great idea!! Giraffes are ideally designed for teething babies – who knew? (whoever did is making a boat-load of money)! Babies love chewing on her ears and nose and can hold her legs and neck very easily.

Refrigerated sticks of mango, celery, cucumber, carrot. Bread sticks are also good (Remember to always supervise your child when they are eating.)

A cold damp muslin can do the trick or stick it in the freezer for a cooling effect. (Mrs T also liked chewing the tops of her baby grows, her dresses and sleeping bag).

To mop up the drool (and keep their nice clothes as clean and dry as possible) get them a ‘dribble’ bib – there are some awesome ones on the market. Mrs T has one from here.

Comfort And Care

Be prepared to give them a more attention. Play with them to take their minds off it but they might not always feel like it so lots of HUGS and kisses.

If there is a lot of dribbling, regularly wipe cheeks and chin to prevent a rash.

I ended up putting a toy she liked to chew and some muslin squares in her cot at night so if she woke up in the night they could help comfort her.

Medicine

Kids Bonjela teething gel helps numb the area (I used it on my wisdom tooth and it actually worked)!

Calpol (or a similar unbranded kids paracetamol) – I used this now and then, particularly before bed and when she wakes up in the night.

For more teething info go to the NHS website.