Sometimes it feels like teething is the scapegoat for every little fuss or cry from our little ones. “Oh, she’s just teething,” they say, or even worse, attributing that pesky runny nose to emerging teeth instead of the common cold. I’ve been there too—like many first-time parents, I fell into this trap.
When my first child, Noah, was only 2 months old, I noticed the drooling and the fussiness. Naturally, I thought, “It must be teething!” I rushed out to buy every homeopathic remedy and teething toy I could find. Turns out, it was just gas. His first tooth didn’t pop through until he was nearly 8 months old!
I also made the mistake of bringing him to a playgroup with a runny nose, thinking it was just teething. Little did I know, I ended up passing along a cold to half of the other babies. As a new mom, I give myself a pass, but I still felt terrible about it.
While some parents may misuse teething as an excuse, the reality is that it can be a genuine nightmare. Many of us have vivid memories of our little ones suffering through the agony of teething.
Picture this: you’re a joyful, carefree baby with hardly any worries. Your main activities consist of eating, sleeping, and smiling. Sure, it’s frustrating when your parents leave the room or don’t quite grasp your non-verbal cues. The only discomfort you’ve known is a passing bout of gas or maybe a stray hair wrapped around your toe, which your mom swiftly resolves.
But then, without warning, your once-peaceful gums begin to throb. Those hard, sharp teeth start pushing through. It’s a sharp, relentless pressure that feels like a bad earache. Suddenly, your world is filled with discomfort, and you’re left wondering, “Mom, what on earth is happening?”
Some babies seem to breeze through teething, displaying just a bit of fussiness before the tooth appears. However, I’m convinced those are the exceptions. For most little ones, teething is a painful ordeal, and they express their discomfort loudly.
When Noah was getting his two upper teeth, we were on vacation. Let me tell you, vacations with kids are never truly relaxing, and those teeth kept us up all night. He had a low-grade fever, and drool poured out like a waterfall. He would claw at his gums, and nursing him became a painful experience for both of us. I nursed two kids for a while, and the only time I experienced real pain was during teething—my second child even nipped me a few times.
Once those first teeth finally broke through, Noah was back to his cheerful self. But alas, teething hell would return every couple of months. He didn’t get all of his baby teeth until he was 2 and a half, and those pesky molars caused him trouble for six long months. I remember him tearfully describing the pain, saying, “It feels like someone is sawing into my gums.”
It’s heartbreaking to think about the pain babies endure during teething. If only they could articulate what they’re feeling! Instead, we often have to guess their discomfort until we see the telltale white of a new tooth.
It’s puzzling why babies can’t be born with a complete set of teeth. Their mouths need space to grow and develop properly. Still, it seems rather cruel for both the babies and their caregivers. While babies may eventually forget the pain, parents are left with the memories—and trust me, our bodies remember too.
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Summary
Teething can be a challenging experience for both babies and their parents. While some may blame every little issue on teething, the reality is that many babies endure significant pain as their teeth emerge. As parents, we often wish our little ones could communicate their discomfort better, leaving us to guess what they need. Resources are available for those seeking assistance in parenting challenges and fertility issues.