Let’s face it: teething is often the go-to scapegoat for parents trying to explain their baby’s crankiness. “Oh, he’s just teething,” they’ll say, as if it’s the magic answer to every fuss and whine. And don’t get me started on the classic “It’s just teething” excuse for a runny nose when, let’s be real, it’s probably just a cold. I’ve been there, too—like most new parents, I’ve fallen into that trap.
When my first baby, Max, was about two months old, the drool and whines were relentless. I immediately thought, “Ah, teething!” and promptly stocked up on every homeopathic remedy and teether I could find. Spoiler alert: it was just gas. His first tooth didn’t make an appearance until he was nearly eight months old! I also made the rookie mistake of bringing him to a playgroup while he had a runny nose, thinking it was just teething. Guess what? Half the other babies ended up sick. I was a naive new mom, so I forgive myself now, but it still stings.
Yes, some parents may overuse teething as an excuse, but let’s not kid ourselves—teething can be truly awful. Many of us have our most vivid memories of parenting tied to those painful toothy eruptions.
Picture this: you’re a happy little bundle of joy with no real worries aside from eating, sleeping, and showing off that adorable smile. Sure, it’s frustrating when your parents don’t get you, but you’ve yet to experience any real pain. Maybe one time, a piece of hair wrapped around your toe caused a momentary freak-out, but mom fixed that in no time.
Then, out of nowhere, your peaceful world is disrupted. Your perfect gums become inflamed, and those hard little teeth start pushing through, causing discomfort that radiates through your ears. You’re left thinking, “Mom, what the heck is happening? I didn’t sign up for this!”
Sure, some babies breeze through teething with only a bit of fuss, but let’s be honest—those babies are the minority. For most, teething is an agonizing ordeal, and they aren’t shy about expressing their discomfort.
When Max was cutting his two top teeth, we were on vacation. I mean, can you even call it a vacation with kids? Those teeth kept us up all night, and he developed a low-grade fever on top of it. The drool? It was like a volcanic eruption. If I attempted to nurse him during this time, let’s just say my experience nursing two children was not as blissful as it usually was. Nothing hurt more than those little teeth trying to bite down.
Once those first two teeth broke through, he was back to his cheerful self—but every couple of months, we’d find ourselves back in teething hell. He didn’t get all 20 of his baby teeth until he was two and a half, and those pesky teeth caused havoc right until the end. By that point, he could articulate the pain, describing those last molars as “feeling like someone is sawing into my gums.” Ouch!
I often ponder why babies can’t just be born with a full set of teeth. I get that their mouths need to grow, but it just seems a bit cruel. While babies might forget the pain, we parents are left with the memories—and our sore nipples will never let us forget, either.
If you’re looking for more insights into this parenting journey, check out this post on intracervical insemination for helpful information on family planning. For a deeper dive into fertility, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource. And don’t forget to explore UCSF’s Center for more about pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, teething is a painful rite of passage for babies and a challenging experience for parents. While some may use it as an excuse for every little fuss, the reality is that teething can be a torturous process for little ones. We may forget the pain they endure, but we’ll always remember the sleepless nights and the drool-covered shirts.