Advice from Dr. Gordon
Newborn
2 Weeks Old
2 Months Old
4 Months Old
6 Months Old
9 Months Old
12 Months Old
Only wants Mommy |
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My daughter is almost 9 weeks old. When she fights sleep, she will not calm herself and refuses to let anyone else calm her down but me. This happens both at night and during the day. I have tried leaving the house for a few minutes to see if she will allow someone else to calm her if I am not around, but I always return to her screaming. We are at a complete loss and refuse to let her cry it out at this age. My husband and I want to go out, but we are afraid to leave her with a babysitter--especially in the evening when this seems to happen the most. What should we do? I should add that I am exclusively breastfeeding, but she does not fall asleep while feeding. She will also allow someone (even me) to feed her a bottle so I don't think this is tied to hunger or comfort from breastfeeding. Children often prefer their mother. More than once a Gordon child with a skinned knee has run past me to seek the comfort only their mother can provide. My medical degree and years of pediatric medical experience seemed to mean little to a child with a bleeding knee. Our children younger than two typically prefer their mom. When she cries do you typically have to nurse her to calm her down? If you do than you are training her to calm down through nursing and therefore only you could calm her down. In general, if you have completed a strict bedtime routine and she is waking shortly after being placed in her bed than try to do as little as possible. Try giving her a pacifier, swaddling, hold and bounce her. These things could be repeated by her father or babysitter. At her age, it is not wrong to nurse her to sleep and transfer her to her bed. However, it is best not too as this eventually leads to nighttime waking beyond 6 months. I also agree she is too young to trying “crying it out”. Sometimes as fathers we need to be force to step up. Typically, fathers defer to mothers when it comes to crying infants. When forced to take care and console our little ones we can. One of my 9 months and I bonded only after a family emergency forced us to spend a weekend camping without his mother. Try leaving your husband in charge for an evening as a first step. Given time this will get better. |
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Follow up
Teething
Many infants become drooley around 4 month of age. Many parents ask if their child is teething. Nobody really knows. The average child gets their first tooth at 7 to 8 months old. Many experts attribute fussiness, drooling, congestion and diarrhea to teething. I have seen my children get teeth with multiple symptoms and without any symptoms. I think children all teeth differently.
Teething Pain
My son's pediatrician said that Orajel (given in very small doses) is ok to give to my 8 month old who's teething. Also, I just read about the recall on Hyland's tablets. What is your take on Orajel and Hyland's. I think a large part of the recall is because of kids getting too much of the meds (overdosing), but just wanted to get your opinion on them.
Teething is impossible. We as doctors and dentists are unable to truly know if a child is experiencing teething pain. “Experts” attribute fussiness, fever, running nose and diarrhea to teething. After 7 of my own children and 11 years of private practice pediatrics, I have come to believe that children experience teething differently. I think most of this pain occurs prior to tooth eruption.
Since we do not have any measurable ways to evaluate teething, we do not have any good ways to study teething remedies. While Hylands teething tablets and Orajel are commonly used remedies, we (the Gordon family) do not use either of them. We tried Orajel with our first, but found it ineffective. As a general rule, I prefer my patients (and my children) not to be on medications.
Teething pain needs to be considered for fussy children between 6 months and 3 years of age. My children would typically be fussy for 2 to 3 days and then better for a week and then fussy again. For the most part, we try to console and comfort our fussy children without medications. Rarely, we will use ibuprofen or acetaminophen at bedtime when our children are fussy. I would not recommend more that 1 or 2 doses a day for 2 or 3 days. If your child seems in persistent pain see your doctor.
The current (2010) Hyland’s teething tablet recall was initiated after a routine FDA inspection. The FDA is concerned about dose consistency. Sounds like a similar problem as the recent tylenol, motrin and zyrtec recall.
Updated November 2010 by
Dr. Gordon, Windermere Pediatrician
gregorygordonmd.com is intended to help parents understand the needs and behaviors of children. The information presented in the site is the opinion of Gregory Gordon, M.D. and does not reflect the opinion of his partners. The advice in this site does not apply to all children. Always consult your healthcare provider for your individual needs.
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