NanaKim

If only we could develop a mouthful of teeth without any discomfort. Like many other mammals who feed on mother’s milk, humans are born with no teeth and then gradually develop their milk teeth as they begin to try solid food. It’s all very logical and makes sense except for the pain!

My mother remembers me being largely unconscious when my molars began to erupt, such was the level of pain. In my turn, I remember being very surprised that my daughter’s lower teeth appeared before she was four months old. I found out by having a very sharp tooth bite into my nipple. Ouch!

My granddaughter has really taken her time with popping each tooth. It has been painful enough to cause tears and she lights up at the sight of the syringe of infant Tylenol when she is suffering. It has literally been a process of months with each new eruption.

Traditional wisdom has long encouraged the use of teething toys, lovely smooth wooden objects to bite on as the teeth make their presence known below the gums. Before ice was widely available there were clean cotton handkerchiefs soaked in cool water, a dab of oil of cloves on the sore gums and even alcohol to rub on the gums. When we know better, we do better. Nowadays we can use topical ointments such as Orajel and there are plenty of freezable biting toys that can provide soothing by numbing. We bring all our weapons to this fight. Anything that makes our babies cry day and night and lose sleep is just miserable. Here’s some useful information from healthychildren.org

Every baby is unique. What do you remember about your own children teething? What do you notice about your grandchild’s teething experience?