Is my baby teething? hungry? bored? or other?

Kaitlyn - posted on 01/23/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

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Hi all,
My son is 4 months and a bit, he's EBF, and he's always, like all babies, put things in his mouth when he can. But resently he's been like crazy almost panicy to get anything in his mouth that he can. But when I offer him the boob, sometimes he wants it, sometime he just pulls off, but will then grab my hand and chew and suck on my fingers. I sorta thought it might be teething, he dad got teeth at 4 month so it might run in the family. Plus he's been drooling like crazy.
I am trying to wait til the 6 month mark before introducing solids. But my mom, who formula fed us all, is now suggesting that maybe he needs or wants more than breastmilk. Cause he does watch us eat very closely and grabs at the food (but he also grab at the phone or the toy or whatever we ever have in our hand). So she's sown the seed of doubt in my mind. lol I know that my son can't exactly want what he doesn't know. But could he be trying to tell me he wants to do what we're doing?
Or is it just teething and learning?
Or could he be hungry?
I don't want to be letting my baby suffer if there's something I can do to help him. And he just seem so frantic to get thing to his mouth.
Any help or advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

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3 Comments

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Rebecca - posted on 01/23/2010

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There are no need for solids, as you mentioned yourself how can he want what he dosnt know? It is just a stage that all babies go through, its a developmental stage where they are learning how to put things in and out of their mouth and are excited to do so. More then likely he is teething, teething can start at any age but dosnt necessarily mean that teeth are iminent. The teeth "move" up and down in the gums and can cause pain, drooling ect, this can come and go many times before teeth actually emerge. But is totally normal behaviour. This is where breastfeeding can get tricky because moms will assume that baby wants solids and offers and babys nursing sessions can drop and mom will think that baby is weaning when they are not they are just being given solids instead. I say just let him chew on things, toys ect. He likes his new skill and its how he gets good at it. But I would say wait on the solids till closer to 6 months.

Juliana - posted on 01/23/2010

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Why not just try introducing solids? I started my son at 4 months and he was really happy about it. He also had similar symptoms and it lasted a week or so...the teeth didn't come out until 8 weeks later! He just went through the same thing again a few weeks ago (he's 8 months now) and I have yet to see teeth. Some babies are ready for solids sooner and if he is watching you eating, it sounds like he's interested.

Shelley - posted on 01/23/2010

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hi i think you hit the nail on the head he's probably teething and learning. Although he may not get teeth for a while its quite possible he's noticing some movement in his gums. maybe offer him a plastic spoon to play with when your eating he may like to immitate you. My seccond child appeared to need solid food at about 5 months i know she was having a growth spurt and gave her extra feeds as well but after giving her the solids her grizzles stoped. All babies are different you know your child and whats best for him