Smiling it Forward
My 7 month old, who we call Flash, is teething. Lots of teeth all at once. In this house, babies get their teeth in a fashion we call “fast and furious.” All of them had two teeth by the end of their third month. With this most recent case of teething, Flash was getting three teeth at once!
For about two weeks, nothing we could do could soothe that teething itch. He was gnawing on everything like a ravenous animal. He was whiny and fussy and just unhappy.
There’s never an easy answer for babies dealing with illnesses. You can’t magically cure it, and you can’t explain to them what’s happening. The itching that accompanies teething and the pain the baby feels while waiting for the little tooth to erupt can be overwhelming.
Couple that with the fact that he’s been learning how to crawl, and he’s completely discombobulated and frustrated.
Even though he’s the third baby, it doesn’t make any bout with illness any easier. He can’t tell me what’s wrong or where he hurts. He can’t feel better with just a hug and a joke.
Then, last night, he figured out how to crawl. And two of those teeth? They’re in. And my baby is back to happy again.
Seeing him smiling and happy and able to sleep through naps and better at night makes this momma extra pleased. It also makes our family a little less stressed out!
When we come out on the other side of an illness (and I consider teething a type of illness, for sure!), it certainly calms all of us down. I’m less on-edge because Flash can play happily with his brother and sister, and he can be in a better mood when he’s awake.
Parenting is hard enough. Add in the confusion that surrounds baby illnesses, and you’re talking about the hardest job on the planet.
To help spread more “feel better” smiles you can share a photo that makes you smile at SmilingItForward.com. For every photo shared TYLENOL® will make a $1 donation to Children’s Health Fund, up to $100,000, helping to ensure a doctor’s visit is always within reach for children in need.
I have received information and products from McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., the makers of TYLENOL®. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks.
