Teething is something I am pretty skeptical about. Not whether it exists or not - obviously it does! - but how it affects babies. I hear a lot about how babies are teething, and that's why they are so fussy/dribbling so much/stuffing everything in their mouths. A few weeks ago at a baby class, I watched two mothers dose their babies up with Nurofen, along with a knowing nod and saying "They are teething".
I always think people are far too quick to jump to the conclusion of teething to explain a baby's behavior. Obviously all babies teeth differently. Some start at 2 months, some not until 8 or 9. Some babies scream their heads off, some sail through without a care in the world. So I am certainly not one to judge on whether someone else's baby really is teething or not. But, to me, it's often an easy out. It's similar to when Isabelle was (even) younger and, every time she was fussy, someone would say "Oh she must have a sore tummy". People assume that because a baby acts in a certain way, a certain thing MUST be wrong with them, and for some reason I just hate it. Maybe they are just grumpy for no reason? Or maybe they just don't want us poking and prodding them all day!
For two months now, Isabelle has been a big fan of chomping on her fists, and then anything she could lift to her mouth. Last month, she started to drool - lots. And, of course, she gets grumpy. No more so than usual, but enough to make me wonder every so often "Is she teething?" Then I would think, nope, more than likely she's just having an off day.
I knew, however, that the teeth would catch up with us eventually. So the first thing I did - against Simon's wishes - was to buy an amber teething anklet from Dino Daisy. Amber is supposed to act as an analgesic and alleviate the pain associated with teething. You can get amber necklaces (not on UK websites, but from the USA and sold in some shops) but I didn't like the idea of it being round her neck. She has been wearing that for the last three weeks, and people have often asked "Does it work?" Simon pointed out that we will never know. If she had no major pains from teething it could be the anklet - or she may not have had them anyway. If she has lots of pain, maybe it would have been worse without the anklet. All I know is it's on and it isn't coming off!
So, preventative measures taken, it was a waiting game, and this week, the game caught us up. On Tuesday night, at Simon's parents' house, I tried to put Isabelle to bed. But, instead of slipping off to sleep as normal...she SCREAMED. And it wasn't a cry I was familiar with which made us wonder - is this the famed teething? She was so distraught that Simon made an emergency dash to Tesco for supplies, but by the time he returned mommy had worked her magic! I was pleased, as we still weren't 100% sure this was anything to do with teeth - we are first time parents after all. We know nothing! And the idea of giving her doses of Calpol 'just in case' isn't something I am comfortable with.
Wednesday we traveled and she was OK, and then today arrived and she was not. Cue 'The Scream', and more dribble than I have ever seen! Off we toddle to Tesco on the weekly shop, stocking up on our own Calpol and teething gel. Meeting up with Helen later on, I was horrified to find out that teething continues until at least the ripe old age of two. I found this out as Jacob screamed "NO, NO, NOOOOO, MUMMY NOOOOOOOOOO!"anytime anybody looked near him. (In fairness, he is also sick, and it's very sad and pathetic) She and I then spent some time in Boots as she introduced me to herbal teething granules, as she bought all round her!
At home, I asked the more knowledgeable to have a look and a feel in her mouth, and Helen, my brother and my mom all declared that yes, the Teething has arrived. But we are prepared. We have the 'hippy' amber, the herbal remedies, and the hard stuff for when it gets really bad.
We already have some teething rings that came with various other toys, but tomorrow there may be a stop off for that ultimate teething toy...Sophie the Giraffe. Hopefully they will help relieve Isabelle's need to chew, and help her gums feel a little bit better.
Meanwhile, my poor little lady, like billions before her, suffers the agony of teething, not knowing what is happening or why she is suddenly in so much pain. All I intend to do is try and make things as easy as possible for her over the next few months, and lessen her pain as much as possible. Wish me luck!
(And, as an after thought, Helen and I really should have bought some ear plugs in Boots as well...)
