Adventures in Attachment Parenting: Teething Bites by Allison Silver

​All babies react to teething differently. For some it’s no big deal and they appear to break in teeth quite easily with no one even noticing. And yet for other babies getting teeth is quite a chore. They cry in pain, they push on their mouth, they want to nurse every five minutes, and they wake up at all hours of the night. Luckily no one grows up remembering the agony of teething except maybe the poor parents.

​We are definitely in the OTHER camp when it comes to teething! Our poor baby is quite uncomfortable and these little bugger teeth drive her crazy! We have tried everything to help relieve her discomfort: natural remedies, homeopathic tablets, and as a last resort, drugs. After a week of giving her ibuprofen every night we decided to investigate other alternatives that we may have overlooked.

​Over the past few months I have met several moms who swear by amber teething necklaces. Apparently, amber when worn next to the skin produces an acid that is a natural pain reliever. I told my hubby about it and he said, “What the hell, let’s try it.” So out of desperation we went to a local store that sells baltic amber and bought her a teething necklace before our holiday travels. So “amber necklace” is yet another addition to my list of “crunchy” things I never thought I would do. Seriously, I have become that mom?! The mom that uses crystals to heal her kid! Maybe I should stop wearing a bra and shaving my legs and just round out the whole picture! Perhaps it’s wishful thinking or placebo effect, but over the past three weeks it does seem like her teething pain has decreased and we have only had to give her ibuprofen two times which is a huge improvement.

​Over the holidays, while we were traveling, her top tooth finally broke through. This pesky tooth has been giving her fits since Halloween! It actually hasn’t been hurting her too bad but it’s been really hurting me! Holy Cow this brand new top tooth is sharp! It honestly feels like a little dagger and has really thrown a monkey wrench into our nursing. The worst of it has been this past week. There was one night early this week where I thought for sure I was nursing a piranha and would wake up to find my poor nipple detached and on the comforter next to me! The next morning when I awoke, my nipple was still attached and to my astonishment no broken skin or even a bruise.

​I went to a La Leche League meeting this week and was reassured that the discomfort I’m feeling won’t last too long and it takes time for babies to figure out how to nurse with top teeth. I am so glad that I have a group of women whom I can discuss these matters with. Luckily, the past few days have been a bit better. Either our daughter is figuring out how to nurse with the new tooth or I am toughening up. Seriously, I must be developing breasts of steel!

​Over this past year our nursing adventure has had its ups and downs. I have learned that nursing is hard work and is not for wimps! And just when you think you have it all figured out along come teeth. That must be one of God’s cruel jokes! But even with the hardships we have encountered I wouldn’t give up all that we have gained from it and neither of us is ready to call it quits.

Tags: Allison Silver, alternative healing, breastfeeding, La Leche League, natural remedies, nursing, teething