Last week I noticed that Ariana’s hands have found her mouth. I thought this was mainly a way to explore the hands. But now I’m convinced it is more… much more.

Yesterday we had some friends over for a very unconventional Thanksgiving feast. (We did turkey burgers on the grill!) And the little princess was very clingy and fussy. I fed her. Burped her. Changed diaper. But nothing helped. Usually, nursing is the magic bullet. But yesterday, that didn’t even do the trick. She seemed to be in pain. And the situation quickly degraded.

Soon she was screaming at the top of her lungs! My anxiety levels were rising fast. (Remember, I can usually calm baby down easily by nursing.) AND we had guests. AND I was trying to finish making thecreamed spinach, whose recipe had 17 steps! (I ended up burning the butter that I had put into the skillet before the onions were even chopped.) AND my husband was tending to the fire on the charcoal grill. I was frazzled. One of our friends (who I lovingly refer to as the “new age version of my mom”) asked if she was teething.

We had noticed her putting her hands in her mouth. And she has been drooling an awful lot. When she tried to suck on my arm, and the baby carrier straps, and everything else, it began to be clear.

At 3 1/2 months, our baby has shown these symptoms, leading me to believe she is indeed teething:

• Excessive drooling
• Gumming/sucking on hands
• Random, unexplained crying that seems to come out of nowhere
• Nap/sleep schedule disturbance
• Did I mention drooling?
• Sucking on baby carrier strap and bib
• Newfound interest in the pacifier
• Irritability
• Increased frequency of nursing
• Sputtering cough (from drool)

It is such a helpless feeling to see your beloved baby in pain. But here are some remedies that have proven to be helpful so far:

• Munchkin Teething Blanket With Pacifier Attachment
• Sassy Teething Wing Butterfly – after the initial shock, she LOVED it!
• Nursing
• Rocking in the swing (helps her drift off to sleep)
• Being held in a sling/baby carrier

Even though people typically recommend topical gels, I am hesitant to try these. Especially since my daughter is still quite young. I am curious to learn more about the homeopathic pellets or tablets. I am open to infant Tylenol or Motrin, if all else fails.

Someone on ParentHacks recommended HEARING PROTECTION (for the parents, of course). I may just have to try that! I know it will be easier for baby to “keep it together” if mom isn’t throwing her anxiety into the mix!

***Please share your teething advice with us. Leave a comment.***