Alex and I have two very different tolerance levels when it comes to Aiven's crying.
Alex can handle it. I cannot. I hate hearing my baby boy cry. Especially if there is something I know can be done to alleviate his discomfort.
For example, feeding time. Aiven gets impatient if the food is not shoveled into his mouth quick enough. Only a spoon laden with food aimed squarely at his wide-open mouth can halt the histrionics. Before you think I am starving my child, please consider he is 8 months old, 20+ pounds and 29 inches long. He eats 3-5 times a day, around 5-8 oz. each time. And I nurse him.
When Alex feeds Aiven, he will let him freak out for a moment while he drinks water, day dreams, or reads during one of Aiven's rare pauses in the feeding frenzy. This drives me up a wall. When I feed Aiven, I am 100% focused on the task at hand, guiding food into the bottomless pit that is his stomach. If I detect even the hint of a grimace I start singing, dancing, or give him some puffs -- whatever it takes to prevent the tears.
So here we are, presently dealing with teething. I have some homeopathic teething tablets I have been using. But I don't have that many and need to ration them (they have been momentarily taken off the market). Since I don't want to over-use them and my son is screaming in pain, my next step would be some Children's Tylenol (hmm, also taken off the market; another government conspiracy?). But my husband only wants to use it as a last resort.
However, he is going out today and leaving me with a baby who will be screaming as if he were being tortured. I want to use the Tylenol. I don't think there is a purpose in waiting for the "last resort scenario". My child is in PAIN!
I feel stuck between a tooth and a hard place. And I am so frustrated with my husband -- he is leaving me with our son who is not feeling well while disapproving of the method I want to use to make him feel better. I think HE should stay home and deal with the crying and let ME go prancing around town doing cool stuff. Grrr!
I know this sounds crazy, but our pediatrician had us rub a little whiskey on Sydney's gums with our finger to help the pain. She seemed to like the attention and sensation, but all I know is the crying passed quickly. And I for one believe it's a lot safer than Tylenol.
ReplyDeleteWhich teething tablets were you using? I used the Hylands and they worked well, but if you can't get them you can probably get just the chamomilla tablets. You can also try one of the natural teething gels that have clove oil in them. Rubbing the baby's gums is good - you can put a little pure vanilla extract on your finger - it is very soothing. Chewing on something cold and hard is also good, like a frozen washcloth or frozen banana (this tastes sweet - just be sure it is a large piece that cannot go all the way into the mouth and be choked on).
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