How to BF teething babe

[MilkTrance]

My baby just started teething. Yes, he's very young (2 1/2 months) so I think the pain will come and go, as my wisdom teeth used to, for a while.

Today, the pain CAME. Consequently, DS hardly ate anything at all. He just would not allow anything in his mouth except frozen washcloths.

I'm a bit worried he won't be eating enough, and he refuses the breast when he is in pain. I gave him some infant's tylenol but I don't want to get into the habit of just drugging him up, and even then, he wouldn't eat anyway.

So what should I do? Right now he is sleeping so I have a while before I have to worry about him being hungry.

[timneh_mom]

Teething is so hard!! I'm sorry your LO is having so much difficulty right now!

Have you tried maybe trying to feed him when he's really sleepy? Also sometimes if you put some pressure on the gum with your finger, then offer the breast, that can help with the pain he is having trying to suck.

What are his wet/poopy diapers like? Are you getting at least 5-6 wet sposies (7-8 wet cloth) per day?

[mrs_mandolini]

Can you pump some milk, freeze it, and spoon feed the baby some breastmilk slushie? I don't know if your 2.5 month old will handle a spoon very well, but maybe the cold will feel good. My son started teething at 5 months and the slushie method was very popular for the first few teeth. He also loves to suck on ice cubes (while I am holding them so he doesn't swallow them.)

[MilkTrance]

aaaah I never thought about freezing the milk! that's such a great idea!!!

Liz, I'm getting lots of wet ones... not as many poopies, though

[medicmama]

We froze breast milk and put it in a mesh feeder.

[timneh_mom]

Hey Milk Trance... it's not uncommon for the poopy ones to start decreasing about your baby's age. Their digestive system gets better at digesting the milk and there is little to no waste. What's his pooping pattern now? Even 2 the size of at least a US quarter per day is fine, but less at that age is OK too. Lots of wets is great though. He might be getting more than you think... they also will get pretty efficient at nursing and won't need much time. (I have fire hoses, so mine usually doesn't spend a lot of time hanging out at the breast!)

I second the frozen milk idea... I never tried it but I've heard of other moms who have!