In my attempt to cordially work through the difference of opinion regarding
the treatment of an "older baby" causing sore nipples because of teething, I
have opened another can of worms. To help settle this, maybe to create some
basis for consensus, I'm asking all of you what you have tried in similar
situations. To refresh your memories...a mom of a 9 month old teething baby
called me because she was having difficulty with getting a sustained good
latch and he was slipping down the nipple causing soreness. The mom had
been told by another IBCLC that she needed a nipple shield. Mom was
dismayed about this advice and came to see me. It was obvious that this
baby was very uncomfortable and restless, plus chomping on everything in
sight. I watched them nurse, suggesting "the usual". The usual included
readjusting the latch; having mom get him to mimic open mouth and tongue
out; tapping on the breast to have him gulp more into his mouth; tugging on
the outter edge of the areola; nursing with football hold with chin to
chest; nursing in sling; nursing while asleep; putting pressure on the chin;
using cold wash cloths, frozen bannana chunks, and massage on gums; massage
to face and body; etc. She had been using Hylands Homeopathic teething
pills, but "unsuccessfully", which actually might have been due to the fact
that she wasn't giving them frequently enough. (BTW, I see this all the
time where moms think 2-3 hour dosing is correct when in fact they need to
give small doses every 15 minutes for an hour and then every 2-3 hours).
Even with Tylenol, baby showed symptoms of gum engorgement after 2-3 minutes
of nursing. I suggested we try NSP teething drops (liquid in a veg.
glycerine base). The response was dramatic. After two, maybe three doses
10 minutes apart, the child relaxed and lay calmly while nursing.
SOOOO, what DO all of you do in these cases. Am I living on another planet?
Please, I'm quite serious and I need a reality check. TIA.
-- Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC [log in to unmask]
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