Teething and loss of appetite?

I think my four month old is showing signs of teething but I don't feel anything on her gums. They are hard to the touch but don't look any different than usual. She's usually mild mannered but has become more fussy than usual and is having trouble staying asleep at naptime...she wakes up crying instead of happy and can't fall back, even with me holdng her. She's also drooling everywhere and biting everything she can find. My biggest worry is her appetite (even though she's a chub so she's got some extra padding - lol) She used to take about 30 - 35 oz of formula a day and for the past three or four days has only taken between 20 and 25. Is this normal and what can I do? I give her cold washcloths and teething rings and try to cuddle and distract her but I don't want to give tylenol or oragel unless I know for sure. Also, can I help her appetite or is this something I need not be overly concerned about?

Teething and loss of appetite?
She is probably just hurting and even the bottle on her gums can hurt. They do have Parent's Choice bottles at Wal-Mart with "nubs" on it, little raised bumps that my daughter loved, I think they massaged her gums. I agree with you on the orajel and tylenol, i gave it to my daughter when she was young (4 months old) and it seem to loose effect when she got older.





There are also teething tablet that you can check with you doctor to see if they are okay. The are homeopathic and won't interact with anything. You give two or three tablets that dissolve almost INSTANTLY in her mouth. It DOES NOT stop the pain the same way orajel does and it WILL NOT make her sleepy. But they do seem to take the "edge" off after a while.





As for her appetite, I will tell you the same my doctor tells me, she will eat when she is HUNGRY! An INFANT will almost never starve themselves. If she starts to drop weight A LOT, take her to the doctor, but otherwise she is fine. My daughter has ALWAYS been tiny and still is, sometimes she won't eat and other times she eats EVERYTHING and her weight conserns me, she is below the 5th percentile of her age group. But since she is active the doctor was not concerned that she is not gaining a lot of weight.





Hope it helps!





Also do not give her juices, she isn't suppose to start having juices until she is 6 to 10 months, non citrus, apple or pear and I personally would give her the solid first to be sure she is not allergic. Also you have to mix the juice with water (one part juice to two parts water) and also offer in ONLY a cup! Only formula and water in the bottle. Also you are suppose to hold off on giving your infant water until she is 6 months old too. And even then only one to two oz AFTER she eats so she doesn't fill up on it and get empty calories.
Reply:This sounds like a combonation of teething and a possible ear infection. Especially the sleeping disruption. I'd suggest you see her pediatrition.
Reply:Does she have a fever? She is more than likely teething but take her to the Dr just to make sure. You are doing what you can when they are teething not to much helps them with the discomfort. As for the eating she will be ok just make sure she is getting some you don't want her to get dehydrated. Give her water or juice every once in a while I have found that giving them formula while teething makes them throw up, at least my daughter did. Give her a bath and use the baby bath that helps them relax ( I can't remember the name sorry) this may help her sleep a little better. Good luck.
Reply:Place her teething ring in the freezer for a while, this should help soother her gums. Also try Ambesol for babies. Don't worry about the loss of appetite, that will return as soon as her teeth pop out. Babies are more resilient than you think. Talk to your pediatrician about giving her Tylenol.