S.S.
Do I have suggestions for you!!! My son was up to 6-7 teeth at 7 months, so I spent every few days awake like that for several months. Just keep in mind that, like pregnancy, there is an end...they only get 20 between now and 2! There were several days that I would sit in my recliner with him with pillows tucked around me just so I could catch a few zzz's in between his waking. Motrin works best, but I would alternate Motrin and Tylenol every 4 hours (take temp before each dose so you don't cover up something else- but know my son would often hit a 99-100 temp each tooth that came in, so don't fret a low temp) for at least 24 hours. Oragel works wonders too, but makes them even more drooly! Don't do the teething tablets. Instead, my son found the stick to the xylophone worked good (so they will find what feel good to chew on) as a teething stick as did a toddler toothbrush which was hard enough to chew on and gave good relief (but brushed those new teeth at the same time)...just make sure she doesn't walk/crawl around with it. Also a frozen wash cloth and those frozen teething rings were often too cold for my son, so instead I would wet a wash cloth and put an ice cube in it and rubber band around the bottom to keep the ice cube in place and he loved chewing on it...little reluctant at first, but once I got it in his mouth, I couldn't get it away!
I always knew it was teeth rather than an ear ache from the tell-tell clear runny discharge from his nose, drooling and the continuous chewing on his own fingers. His cheeks also turned red right before they came in!
As far as breastfeeding, do it if it feels like it is right! Lots of times, babies need that comfort when they don't feel good. Besides, when you are THAT exhausted, you will do just about anything to get the kiddo to sleep a little! Just realize the only times my son bit me during breastfeeding was when he was teething and I would still pull him off and tell him no, so that it wouldn't become a habit! As far as becoming a pacifier, I think most who breastfeed become that anyway in a sense and I weaned my son fine at 13 months (though sometimes I wish I could still give him some when his teeth are really bothering him...oh well!).
My son had really bad teething times and then some that almost came in without me knowing. The canines are indeed the worst...right in front of the molars. I thought that was so silly as they are so sharp, but I think it is because they have to come up between two other teeth. I should also warn you that sometimes when the molars come in, it pushes the tissue to the side and swells up and looks ugly, but it is completely normal and the dentist said to just make sure it goes down in a few days (7-10) or they could cut it out if needed (my son had 2 that did this, but went down in 3-4 days)! My son is 14 months and now has 16 teeth and is already working on one of his 20-24 month molars, so thank goodness, I am almost done!
My other suggestion would be to schedule her with a pediatric dentist (if you have dental insurance, they should pay 100%) if she has a lot of teeth at 12 months and definately by the time she is 18-24 months. Call around to your local pediatric dentists to see what they suggest! My son saw them at 11 months (when that molar came in so funny), but was scheduled at 12 months! They are wonderful and so good with kids!
Anyway, hope that helps. If you need any other suggestions, just let me know! Good luck on the sanity! Just remember...it does end eventually!
S., 26, mom of Tyrrone, 14 months with 16 teeth, and #2 on the way in Aug, so going to do this all over again soon!
