teething when will it end

Hi all,

DS is now eight and a half months old. How time flies. It seems that he's been teething constantly since he was about three and a half months old. At the moment my little overachiever has eight teeth and has recently (again) been a drool machine. I think we've got teething aids down pat thankfully - DS has a couple of favourite soft toys that he quite likes to chomp into and really likes rusks. He seems to be teething again though. I can see another tooth breaking through however there is likely to be another as his teeth have always come through in pairs. Has anyone else dealt with constant teething?

Aside from the teething, DS has had sleep issues. He used to be a fantastic sleeper. At the moment he struggles to go to bed when he should and gets overtired. He's also had bronchitis and head colds. Now I know this winter hasn't been very kind and there have been plenty of nasties floating around. IMO the teething has left DS a little more susceptible to the colds etc. The week before last he wound up in hospital because of dehydration (all good now after some IV fluids). To top things off DS is now on antibiotics for the third time because he has developed middle ear infections.

Has anyone else had issues with constant teething? Also, am I imagining that there may be a link or could the teething be linked to the middle ear infection? I'm just wondering what your thoughts are. Oh, and if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so looking forward to the teething settling down. Not nearly as much as DS though, I'm sure.

Thanks.

Hi my name is Jocelyn and I am one of the naturopaths at the Belly Belly centre in Melbourne.
I think there would be a definite link between your little ones constant teething and his ear infections. You must be the world expert by now on dealing with the teething!
If you are anywhere near the centre do bring him in as I am running a free infant's toddler session every Tuesday.
It sounds to me as if he definitely needs something to boost his immune system and some probiotics to help replace the ones knocked out by the antibiotics - there are some really good ones now for infants. Once their systems go out of balance after treatment with antibiotics it becomes a bit of a rollercoaster ride of one bug after another.
If you are not in Melbourne and want any further help just email me on jocelyn @bellybelly.com.au and I would be happy to send some things out to you.
Jocelyn King

Hi Jocelyn. My name is Lucinda. Thankyou soo much for the response. Unfortunately I am not in Melbourne but a in Sydney. If only I were in Melbourne!! I'd definitely bring him in. Your thoughts sound excellent. Obviously I don't want Oscar on a roundabout of antibiotics. Can't be good for him. And I suspect that if this keeps happening we'll be heading to the ENT and before you know it there'll be talk of grommets etc etc. If I can prevent what could potentially be an unnecessary intervention (in the sense of the root cause problem being remedied) then that would obviously be preferable. Will have to follow up on seeing a naturopath I think.