Second molars (posterior)

Gabby vomited thrice on Monday evening.

She was fine when I fetched her from child care. Teacher Florence told me that Gabby’s appetite wasn’t good. She only managed to finish 100ml of milk (half of the portion) @ 4:15pm.

Gabby usually has her dinner ard 7ish. Just when I’m abt to feed her, she vomited. It wasn’t just a bit, but it was good enough to fill half of a rice bowl. The vomit not only came out of her mouth but also through the nose. Poor girl, she was shocked and started crying. My mum pacified her while I cleaned up the mess. After that she was cleaned and changed into a new set of clothes.

Been a loving granny, my mum though it‘ll be good to feed her some plain bread. It had been 5hrs since her last feed @ 4ish. Just when we thought she was fine, she vomited for the second time. This time the vomit was slightly lesser but it was still bad. She looked even more ‘sian’ and cranky. She just wants me to carry her and refused to be put in her day bed.

The 3rd time was after she drank 20ml of milk ard 9ish. Cleaned and temperature checked, no fever. Good. Think it’s time to bring her to KKH.

Reached there ard 11ish. Doc found nothing wrong with Gabby (I was like ‘WHAT do you mean’) Anyway they need to ensure Gabby has cease vomit before they can release us home. The doc needs to fast her for an hr and another hr, feed her with hydrating fluid every 15mins.

By the time we reached home, it’s already 3ish, Tuesday morning. What a nite.

For the past few days, Gabby has loose bowel movement twice a day. I was concern and decided to google for more info. Below are my findings:

What are the symptoms of toddler teething?
Most parents find that problems associated with teething improve after their baby's first few teeth have broken through. Then, just after his first birthday, the dreaded symptoms return:
• red and swollen gums
• red flushed cheek or face
• ear rubbing on the same side as the erupting tooth
• sleepless nights
• loss of appetite
• gum rubbing, biting or sucking
• general unhappiness

The reason is likely to be the arrival of his molars, the large teeth at the back of the mouth. Big and blunt, these teeth can take a while to push through, causing pain and misery in the meantime. (You may remember the ache your wisdom teeth created when they arrived which will give you an idea of what your toddler is going through). Plus, once the first teeth are through, the rest of the teeth may erupt in clusters, some on the same day or within five days of each other.

Some parents report that their baby develops a high temperature, loose bowel movements or diarrhoea just before a tooth breaks through. Most experts do not believe that teething causes these conditions, as they don't occur consistently when a baby is teething. It's best to treat them as completely separate problems and always consult a doctor if necessary.

What are the best ways to soothe painful gums?
Gentle pressure with something cool is often the best way to relieve the pain of teething. You could simply rub his gums with your finger though you need to be a little careful: he may well object to the intrusion and tell you so with a painful bite! Better still give your toddler something else to chew on:

• A peeled, raw carrot straight from the fridge or a frozen stick of cucumber or banana is good for him to chew on and is a useful shape to reach the precise spot that is hurting him. Stay with him when he is eating it, however, to make sure he doesn't choke on any pieces he bites off.

• A cool dessert spoon or partly-frozen wet flannel to chew on are also useful tools and offer interesting textures to keep him amused.

• A cool teething ring or dummy may also help

You may find that your toddler will lose his appetite when he is teething. Chilled foods, like yoghurt or simple fruit purees, will soothe his gums and may be more tempting.

Drinking from a breast or bottle can be a particular problem. Sucking causes more blood to rush to the swollen areas, making them particularly sensitive. Drinking from a cup may be easier for him in the short-term. There will be times, however, when your toddler will reject all of these offerings and at these moments, a cuddle is the best therapy you can supply.

Should I use teething gels or homeopathic remedies?
Teething gels usually contain a local anaesthetic and an antiseptic or disinfectant, which work together to ease the pain and prevent infection. A little rubbed onto the sore gum with a clean finger has a numbing effect that lasts for about 20 minutes. Do not use teething gels more than six times a day.

If you are still breastfeeding, you should avoid using them immediately before a feed as they can numb your child's tongue, making it hard for him to suck successfully. They might also numb your areola (the dark skin around your nipple) making feeding difficult for both of you.

Many mums swear by homeopathic granules (available from chemists). These come in small sachets that you pour into your toddler's mouth. You can also get powders or tablets to dissolve in warm, cooled boiled water as a drink. Check that the brand you are buying is sugar-free. Some teething granules contain lactose or other ingredients ending with "~ose". These are forms of sugar so check the label carefully.

Sugar is a prime cause of tooth decay so you don't want to be covering your toddler's new pearly white teeth in it at regular intervals throughout the day.

Should I give infant paracetamol?
If all else fails, and your toddler is in real distress, give him the correct dose of infant paracetamol. It's an effective pain killer and can make him feel more comfortable quite quickly.

However, make sure that there isn't something else causing him to be upset. Ear infections are often mistaken for teething and will need medical attention. Also, if he has a high temperature, or if he cannot be comforted, you should certainly consult your doctor as it is unlikely to be due to teething.

How long will teething last?
The good news is that you are now on the home straight. In most children, the teeth erupt as follows:
• first, (anterior) molars come through between 12 to14 months.
• next, the canines (the pointed teeth on each side at the front), which rarely cause problems, appear between 16 to 18 months.
• then, the second (posterior) molars arrive between 22 to 30 months

There is some variation in when teeth erupt from child to child, but children usually have a full set of 20 baby teeth by the time they are two and a half years old. Some may still be teething at three years old. Your child will keep these first teeth until sometime around his sixth birthday when he will reach his next dental milestone: the loss of his first milk tooth.

Reference: http://www.babycenter.com.au/toddler/caringfor/teethingdistress/