Jack has gone on yet another hunger strike. Actually, I’m not sure I told you all about his first one. Let me back track a little. Ok, so remember when I had the dream and woke up and he had two teeth? And I thought, “Geez, this teething thing is a breeze!”. Right. Then he got his first top tooth, which went just as smoothly. Then top tooth number two (from hell). Not quite so smoothly. The little man started out by not wanting the bottle. Then food was not so interesting either. Which of course would freak me out to no end. Of course he was eating enough for me to know that he wouldn’t starve to death… but definitely not what he normally wants. So just when I was ready to call the doctor, I noticed (duh) that he had a tooth coming in.
Last week, I’d say on Thursday, he started up again with not wanting the bottle. He was averaging 12 oz. a day. Which is not good. I had asked the doctor the last time we were in for a checkup what the low end for someone his age should be and she said 14 oz. So of course I started tracking it day to day. He’d have a really bad day (11 oz.), then have a pretty good day (14 oz.), then a really good day (17 oz.), then another terrible day (12 oz.). And of course the entire time I’m completely obsessed with it… constantly thinking about how I can sneak more formula or fluid into him, always focused on his soft spot (does that look sunken in to you?), even trying sippy cups (two different kinds!). Finally, yesterday, I put him down on the floor and had EZ hold him while I examined his mouth. Another tooth. On top. Coming in. Duh. Why is it so hard to remember this stuff? You’d think after the first time that I’d just go, “Oh, he must be teething… better give him some Motrin.” Nope, instead I’m freaking out. Why is my child on a hunger strike?! So we gave him some Motrin and a little baby Orajel. And he was as good as new. Eating like a champ. Poor kid! At least he’s in a good mood… the hunger strike was the only flag this time around. He’s been a peach. And of course now that I said that I will have a Satan Baby for the rest of the week.
I am the same way with my almost 11 month old. When her first two teeth popped through at the same time, several times in the previous weeks she’d push her bottle away and eat very little. A few weeks ago, she started with the same thing for atwo or three days and went back to eating normally. So, I’m going to ASSUME this means another tooth or two will be in her mouth rather soon. No Satan babies–Satan Babies make Satan Mommies and that’s no fun!!
I would be obsessed, too! I guess I feel like one of my main functions as a mother is making sure that my child gets enough to eat. If she started refusing to eat (which I’m sure will come soon enough) I would be freaking out! Sounds like you handled it perfectly. Give Jack a kiss for me!