As a parent, it can often feel like teething is the go-to excuse for every fussy moment your baby experiences. “Oh, she’s just teething,” becomes a familiar refrain. Or worse, some parents attribute every sniffle and runny nose to those pesky teeth breaking through, despite the fact that it’s probably just a common cold. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s all too easy to misdiagnose.
When my first child, Mia, hit the two-month mark, she began to drool like a fountain and fuss incessantly. My immediate assumption? Clearly teething. I rushed out to buy a stash of homeopathic teething gels, tablets, and every type of teether available. It turns out, she was just gassy. Her first tooth didn’t make an appearance until she was nearly eight months old!
I also made the mistake of thinking a cold was simply a result of teething and brought her to a playdate, inadvertently sharing her germs with an entire room of other babies. As a new parent, I can forgive myself for these blunders, but it still tugs at my heartstrings.
The Reality of Teething
However, let’s not downplay the reality of teething; it truly is as tough as it sounds. Many of us have vivid memories of those sleepless nights and inconsolable babies. Imagine being a joyful little creature whose main job is to eat, sleep, and smile. Life is simple, until that moment when your gums become inflamed, and those hard, sharp teeth start pushing their way through. The discomfort can be excruciating, almost like having an earache at the same time.
For some fortunate babies, teething is a minor inconvenience, with a bit of fussing before the tooth breaks through. But those babies are the exception rather than the rule. For most, teething is a painful ordeal, and they certainly let us know about it.
Family Trips and Teething
During one vacation, when Mia’s top two teeth were on their way in, I quickly learned that family trips with kids aren’t really vacations. We endured sleepless nights as she battled the discomfort, drooling like a leaky faucet and waking up in distress. Nursing her during this time was an adventure in itself; I had nursed both of my kids for extended periods, but it was during teething that I experienced more than my fair share of nipple pain.
Once those teeth finally emerged, Mia returned to her cheerful self, but the cycle of teething would return every few months. She didn’t complete her set of baby teeth until she was 2 ½ years old, and the discomfort lingered throughout. By then, she was articulate enough to express her pain. I still remember her tearful description of her last molars coming in, saying, “It feels like someone is sawing into my gums.”
The Pain of Teething
Teething is truly a painful process, and I often wished Mia could have communicated her discomfort more clearly. Instead, I found myself playing detective, only to confirm my suspicions days later when the tooth finally broke through.
I can’t say why nature designed it this way; after all, babies can’t be born with a full set of teeth. Their mouths need to grow, and it’s essential for learning how to suck properly. Still, it seems quite unfair for both the little ones and their caregivers. While babies may eventually forget the pain, we parents will carry those memories—and the implications on our sanity—forever.
Resources for Parents
For more insights on parenting challenges like teething, check out this blog post on teething. And if you’re looking for resources on pregnancy and home insemination, the Womens Health site is an excellent option. Also, if you’re considering at-home insemination, Make a Mom offers reliable kits to help you in your journey.
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