When does the teething stop?

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Sep 25th 2006 2:07PM

Categories: Just For Moms, Babies, Toddlers, Development

Now that Nolan's weaned, I'm not quite as concerned about the proliferation of his endless little nubby teeth. But I am concerned about his comfort levels, because teething seems to bring fussy, wakeful nights and particularly stinky poops. (By the way: is this a normal thing? When babies teethe, their poop stinks more? Perhaps it is just me but it definitely seems to be a recurring thing.)

Anyway, Nolan is now 13 months and 6 days old and he is now getting his molars. Because he got his first tooth early (a little before 5 months), he has now been teething for about 8 months straight. And enough, already! That last one made his poor wee gums bleed. I really thought this teething business would only last for a few months. And, yes, I do realize I was totally naive about the motherhood experience in general.

So, for you veteran parents, when did your little one cease with the teething, already? Please note that "never'" is not a satisfactory answer.

Comments (18)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Lisa 9-25-2006 @ 2:38PM

I think it is different for every kid. My older daughter got her teeth pretty quickly--she had 16 teeth by the time she was 15 months old. I never even knew when her 2-year molars came in. She's 3 1/3 now and has 20 teeth at my last count. My younger daughter is now 15 months but doesn't have as many teeth yet, although she is getting her teeth in the same order her big sister did. I think it's supposed to be hereditary, too. When did YOU have all your teeth?

And the poop? That's sometimes the first signal I have that there's a new tooth coming in. Yuck!

ann adams 9-25-2006 @ 2:40PM

Never will have to suffice, Kristin. My ten year old lost a couple of teeth in the last two weeks; baby molars to be replaced by her last (except for wisdom teeth) permanent teeth.

The tooth fairy has taken up permanent residence here.

Seriously, it varies and they don't stop growing new teeth until they're around 12 give or take. I don't have the teething horror stories that many moms do; we were slightly lucky.

At least when they're a little older they can tell you where it hurts.

Tara 9-25-2006 @ 4:12PM

The baby teeth teething lasts a little past the second birthday. Since it seems Nolan is ahead of the curve, he may get his last set of molars ("the two year molars") before he's two! My son got the bottom set of "two year molars" at 20 months and the top ones started to come in at 22 months. They take about 2 months to fully surface!

And can I say, you ain't seen nothin' yet! I'm just teasing you...sort of. IMO, the worst is yet to come, eye teeth and two year molars are by far "the worst". Let's just say Motrin is my best friend! Did I mention I have twins? LOL! They will be two years old next week and baby B (the little girl) is showing no sign of the "two year molars" yet....*sigh*

Paul 9-25-2006 @ 4:20PM

My daughter has just got her first tooth at 12 months and 1 week, so I guess she's got some way to go... Not too many problems yet, but I'm guessing the bigger they get the less sleep I'm going to get :)

Jill 9-25-2006 @ 4:39PM

Depends on the kid. My youngest had all his teeth by 10 months and didn't teethe again til two when the molars started to show. But those five months of teething consisted of a-tooth-a-week, and he had a tough time with each of them. Yes, the poop is worse, diaper rashes more likely, chin rashes due to drooling (be cautious in the winter) and sleeping awful. Let Tylonal and Advil be your best friends. Stagger them (overlapping times is fine) anytime he's uncomfortable.

Tina 9-25-2006 @ 4:57PM

Mine got her first tooth (yes, the FIRST one) at 12 months. She took months to get another one, etc,etc. She finished up at 3 yrs old. Finally we were done. Thank heaven. It was awful, it was like each tooth took years off my life-the pain, the crankiness, the lack of sleep. My son was the opposite- like Nolan- got them all early or on time. He was done by 18 months. Hope Nolan finishes soon! How many does he have so far? Since they usually come in pairs, 20 teeth may not be too far off for you guys!

Daniel Prokosch 9-25-2006 @ 7:03PM

My daughter is 23 months old and she is still teething. She I get very cuddly when she is teething.

jpark 9-25-2006 @ 7:07PM

Kristin- I, like you, did not realize how long teething lasted. I thought maybe a week or so for each new tooth, HA! The past three months have been a non-stop teething marathon around here with no signs of stopping yet. My little guy's poop doesn't seem to get any stinkier at any particular time, but right when the tooth is about to push through it gets very runny and he tends to have a few blowouts. He's got 6 teeth at nine months, but I can feel at least four more right under the surface getting ready to pop out.

Linda 9-25-2006 @ 8:30PM

Dude! The gross poop! The extra-disgusting poop, WHY GOD WHY?

Add that to Mystery Teething-Associated Ailments that doctors totally deny the existence of, along with fevers and runny noses.

Riley's working on tooth #8 right now. I hate, hate, hate the teething.

Jamie 9-25-2006 @ 11:29PM

Well let's just say that with a 7 year old daughter, a 16 month old son, and one more on the way, that the tooth fairy is never going to leave my home. Both my daughter and my son were slow teethers. I had lots of stinky diapers, excessive drooling (like a fountain) and sleepless nights. I overlap doses of motrin with doses of tylenol and this seems to work. Forget about the baby teething gels because they do absolutely nothing.There is an all natural teething remedy in a little tube that you squirt in their mouths that works well if you don't want to use pain relievers. It can be found in health food stores. Too bad all the teeth don't come in at the same time!

Erin 9-26-2006 @ 1:32AM

I believe they only get 20 teeth total until they start falling out again, making room for the adult ones. My 15-month old has 16 teeth so far - only four more big molars to come in - two on top and two on bottom. The only teeth that seemed to cause him trouble were the four molars he has now and his canines (upper and lower - forget what the lower ones are called)... I gave him extra cuddles, baths, and - oh yes - Tylenol and Advil, one then the other when he was at his worst. That, and the ONLY thing he will chew/suck on - his blankie... which was laundered every single day during that time and STILL stunk to high-heaven after each nap/sleep.

Do other people's kids blankies stink like this...? Or am I a lucky one with a toddler that has uber-bad breath?! It is the worst when we are cuddling and he offers me a corner and doesn't stop until I actually put part of the blankie in my mouth and say thank you... but never, EVER a part that he has already soaked and stunk-up. Cause - you know - I have limits.

S 9-26-2006 @ 8:47AM

My older daughter (now 22 months) was 11 months old before she got her first 2 teeth. Then it was 4 more months before she got more. In the last 3 months, she has gotten about 10, so we've been in teething hell for a while now. Right now she is working on eye teeth and they are the worst to date. The diapers are so much worse with these teeth. Blow outs daily.

My younger daughter (8 months)has no teeth and none in sight. I'm OK with the "late" teething as we are still nursing about 80% of the time and from what I hear, those little teeth are sharp!

Amy 9-26-2006 @ 1:31PM

My daughter cried terribly ( for a few hours) when she got her first tooth at the age of four months. After that, she got all of her teeth without so much as a whimper. I thought that was normal. Now, with baby number two, I found out it is more normal to suffer ALOT off and on for a long time. He's 21 months old getting his two year molars and we're all suffering (almost) as much as he is! Thankfully,they're almost through.

gr8face 9-26-2006 @ 9:43PM

Yes, with teething comes a host of ailments that docs refuse to acknowledge.

ron 10-09-2006 @ 5:40PM

My Son is coming into his 2 year molars at 26 months old. He's always suffered, first running nose, then Diarrhea, then crankiness from H#ll, plus he'd wake up at night during the worst of it. He also had a fever or around 101.5. He had a pretty bad 1st tooth, major blow out all over the crib but not so bad with the rest up till the Canines and talk about moody, not so much pain just moody. His 1st 2 your molar seemed to be coming in that was different agony for 2 days then he seemed fine again. Motrin helped and also oral gel make these snap off the end swaps that well worked for about an hour then he'd start back up, not sure on the pills, I never gave them till the canines seemed to chill him out at least a little not sure if they help or just was an act of desperation. I feel for anyone going thru it.

wendy 10-19-2006 @ 10:36AM

oh my gosh; I'm soooo glad I found this web site b/c I was about to go out of my mind! My son is just shy of turning 22 months. He has all his teeth (except the molars) and I will throw a party when the last one comes in. His first tooth came in at 6 months. It's true EXCESSIVE drooling, crankiness, MOODINESS, and his sleeping schedule is none exsistant. Thank you all for making me feel not so alone (the dr made me feel as though I'm a chronic complainer) best of luck to you all!

Nicole 11-09-2006 @ 7:55PM

I'm glad to hear it's not just my son who's so horrible with teething. He's almost 18 months and cutting his eyeteeth(UPPER). We are having diaper blow-outs, fever, and a temper so bad I call him el diablo and waking up all through the night. Every tooth he has had a problem with. Thankfully I have a cool Doc who says that yes these symptoms do exist with teething. His last teeth he cut, the pre-molars caused a fever for 5 horrible days(did I mention I also have a 3 month old). I work full time but I get all my hours in, in 3 days so I can be home more with the kids. I tell you after a day like today I was so miserable with him that I'd rather be at work.

Claire 11-20-2006 @ 1:02PM

Ahhh, thank you fellow mothers. I have a fussy, needy, 18 month old with a fever and "uber-stinky breath!" I thought it was teething, but now I know. I remember my first getting a little fever, but never the stinky breath like this! Uggghhh!

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