Saturday, February 4, 2012

A Fussy Week

Not much has happened lately, but I always feel bad if I don't write for more than a week!

Scarlett has had a less-than-stellar week.  She is really fussy, really agitated and irritable.  She is taking extra naps because she exhausts herself with tantrums.  She wants to be held a lot.  This is all completely reasonable for just a typical kid, never mind one who is on chemo and teething, but it is not really like her.  We never know which of the many reasons is causing her frustration.

Any time there is a change in her behavior like this, it puts me on high alert.  I check for fevers every few hours, I check her eye responsiveness and check on her while she sleeps.  I never hesitate to call the doctors if I feel something is wrong, but I have gotten pretty good at telling what is doctor-worthy.  So far, nothing they can do anything about...but I'm watching.

She has started doing the strangest thing - grinding her teeth.  It is the WORST sound ever, like nails on a chalkboard, and I cannot figure out how to stop it.  I have tried to distract her, blow on her face, say "No!", give her more to chew on, but nothing is working.  Her NP heard it the last two weeks, and she is concerned.  Her Friday teacher heard it, and said not to worry.  I looked it up, and apparently some babies just grind their new teeth (she has new molars coming in).  Has anyone else dealt with this? It is so ANNOYING, and I am worried about her brand new teeth!

We were also introduced to a new concern her doctors/teachers/therapists have: visual processing, or how her brain interprets what she sees.  We know her eyes and optic nerves are functioning properly, but we are not sure that her brain is really making sense of what she sees.  She's too young to test, really, but inquiries are already in process to see if we can figure out what is going on.  However, since three different people brought it up this week, I am guessing we will hear more about it soon.

All in a typical week around here!  I am still not dealing with things as well as I could be, so its been a little harder than normal.

BUT, a teaser: I am working on a special project (or maybe a few...) for Scarlett's Valentine's Day surgery...fun!

21 comments:

Motherhood on the Rocks said...

My daughter used to grind her teeth too at Scarlett's age. My pediatrician said it's normal. But yes, it was like nails on a chalkboard. I pray for Scarlett all the time and I hope her vision is ok. I wish lived closer and could come help you so you could get some rest. Although I can only offer cyber hugs. Stay strong momma! Hugs

JustJackie26 said...

I dunno what it is, by my daughter who is 13 months now, has ALWAYS grinded whatever new teeth she has that come in. My son did the same thing. It does sound awful though, I asked and have heard a lot of kids that do it. Hopefully she feels better soon! Teething has always been a rough time for my kids and I hope that is all that is going on with Scarlett too!

Pippa's Auntie said...

Grinding the new teeth is totally normal, and one of the worst sounds ever!! Hopefully she won't keep it up, my son gave up after a couple of weeks.

As for the tantrums, my fingers are crossed that this is just Scarlett entering toddlerhood with a bang!

Thank you for the update! I'm always thinking of you all.

alex said...

My little one had short phases of teeth grinding. I think almost every baby I know has done it for varying lengths of time. Just seeing what the new teeth can do!

mako chibi said...

My DD is around the same age as Scarlett and we have been following her story. Each time DD got a new tooth, she would grind them. It is annoying, but usually stops after a week or so.

Cassie said...

My brother is a dentist/oral surgeon and when my 15 month old started that he said not to worry...it is normal and they cannot damage the teeth. Big prayers...from your fellow October momma!

Unknown said...

My Oct 2010 baby was grinding his teeth for almost a month. You are right that it is a truly awful sound! Eventually he stopped. He is getting his molars now, so I am wondering if we are in for another round of it.

-Lauren

Crazed in the Kitchen said...

Both of my kiddos did/do the teeth grinding thing from an early age (pre-crawling). It drives my husband nuts--if my younger son is doing it my husband literally can't be in the room with him. He seems to go through phases where he does it a lot, then he won't do it again for a while. It doesn't seem to be tied to teething for us, but sometimes it's hard to tell. Seems like someone is always getting a tooth around here. Good luck.

DiJe said...

GAH! My son would grind his front teeth together. I get sick chills just thinking about it. Thank goodness it was only for a little bit. Hoping Miss Scarlett keeps it brief!

Brandi Wecks said...

Thanks everyone! She's doing it right now and I can hear it across the room! I won't worry...yet!

alice said...

I have a teeth grinder. He comes by it naturally - I still grind my teeth, but only in my sleep. Finally got my son to quit doing it during the day when he was about two and a half, but I always have to put him back in his own bed if he crawls in with me because even now, at seven and a half, he still grinds his teeth in his sleep. The noise is awful! It sounds painful even if it isn't really!

msilverstone1 said...

Hi Brandi! As the others have said, my oldest was a teeth grinder as well. It didn't last past the age of three or four, and the dentist has said there was no damage at all from it. I just wanted to tell you that i am awestruck by you and your husband. You both are amazing parents, and I feel so blessed that you have been able to share your amazing journey with us here! I pray for Scarlet every night.

Flip your lid said...

My third baby grinds her teeth--it is an awful sound to be around, but I think it's just a thing! Keep up with the distractions and hopefully you will find something to make it pass quicker than time alone Stay strong, Mama!

erintres said...

my daugher started grinding her teeth when she was scarlett's age. she grew out of doing it daily, and now only does it on occasion (when she is getting a new tooth)I feel your pain though...its an AWFUL noise! :)

Ruby said...

AH! My daughter did that for a while and I hated it! I couldn't get her to stop but now I'm just praying she doesn't start again with these fancy new molars!

MC said...

My little guy who is 16 months grinds his teeth. Whenever new ones come out, he grinds more. My theory is that the gums itch a lot, and that's their way of 'scratching' them. I hope our kiddos outgrow that soon.
Hugs from PA mamma! You guys are all so awesome!

Jenn said...

My DD did it with her first teeth at about 8 months, but not since. It drove us nuts as well, and gave me those chills up the spine like a chalkboard and fingernails! Hopefully it is a short phase for her like most of the rest of us dealt w/with our kiddos!

Rebecca said...

My son is a day older than Scarlet. He is a nightmare the last few days with his molars coming in. He is also grinding his teeth. It makes my hair stand on end!

Irene K said...

my daughter, (10-12-10) grinds her teeth off and on since she was 10 or 12 mos (her teeth have come in pretty quick and early it think) ...I offer things to chew on..sometimes she will chew on whats offered, other times continue on grinding ...and YES is a horrible sound! i HATE it!...well she now has almost all of her teeth she just did it the other day once or twice..I think it has to do with discovering control over her body in a thoughtful way. she just started blinking her eyes on purpose yesterday. She has also been picking up one leg and standing on one foot. it all started with the teeth grinding! that is what we have experienced. I hope our story helps a little :) hugs from Austin, TX irene

Melinda said...

As alot of other people have said my son grinded his teeth too for about 2 or 3 weeks. I asked his hubby about it as he's about to graduate from dental school in a couple of months and apparently it's really pretty common. He stopped doing it on his own. Hopefully she will too! =)

Melissa said...

The teeth grinding - totally normal. My pediatrician explained it as them getting used to the feeling of teeth! My little guy (born the day before Scarlett) was grinding NON-STOP for weeks on end, and eventually he stopped. It's annoying as all be it when it's happening, but one day she'll just stop doing it, and a week will go by and you'll realize it's silent.