With respect to the 8 month old with 4 teeth (2 top, 2 bottom, I suppose) --
where the top ones are tearing up mom's nipples -- have you actually seen
this baby?  Some deciduous incisors (baby front teeth) have extremely sharp
points -- the incisors usually have 3 or 4 little bumps on the edge, which
help the teeth cut through the gums.  These bumps usually wear off pretty
quickly to leave a smooth surface across the tooth.  Some children have
extremely sharp and pointed bumps, however, and if this baby is not getting
much in the way of solids, or chewing on toys and wooden blocks, etc., then
the sharp bumps may not be wearing away like they usually do.  It is
possible to take the baby to a dentist and have the sharp points filed down
-- it just takes a few minutes, no anesthesia necessary.  I hesitate to
suggest that she do it herself with a nail file, but that's essentially what
the dentist will do.  Or she can just give the baby some nice wooden blocks
to chew on for a few days and see if that does the trick.

Kathy Dettwyler

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html