[Sloper]

Any advice for early teething? Apart from Bonjela, Calpol and ear plugs? He's not even 11 weeks, were hoping for a break.

Also are the Bumbo seats any good?

Chilled cucumber is good as the cooling works as topical pain relief and it's a good texture / solidity to help them cut through.

As for gel, we found that the best one was dentinox.

I think calpol is pretty tight on the age limit, but if in real need I'd say go for 1.25 ml.  You can get small syringes which make dosing a real doddle.

Ignore the tooth powders, the chances are they're placebo, go for the cuecumber.

[SA Chris]

Cheers Sloper. Re the cucumber is he supposed to to just suck it, or feed it to him??

We got one of the syringes and apparently he is OK for calpol at this age.

[Jim]

I think he's too young to be sticking bits of food in his mouth.
Ours had calpol when he was 7 weeks when he was in hospital.
Never had any real problems when teething.

Bumbo's are great - just go out and buy one, real handy when they start weaning as well and they love sitting in them so they can look around

[Sloper]

Cheers Sloper. Re the cucumber is he supposed to to just suck it, or feed it to him??

We got one of the syringes and apparently he is OK for calpol at this age.

Suck / chew on it, a 5mm slice seemed to work with Hugo and it's far too big for him to swallow and too thick to bite off chunks.  Probably best under supervision.

[Nim]

When our little one had his first batch of jabs at 2 months, the nurse said it was ok to give him a half dose (1.25ml) of Calpol.  Second Sloper's suggestion of getting a syringe -  much easier for measuring and dosing than a spoon.
We got the herbal teething powders and I'm not sure they did much good.  Anbesol is the best gel (the baby version, not the adult one!) but it tastes of cloves, so is a bit powerful.  Try them on yourself and see - Anbesol actually numbs your gums, Dentinox doesn't. 
Can't comment on the bumbo seats - we had a bouncy chair thing that he loved (particularly when he discovered it wiggled when he did).  We also used a couple of those big V-shaped pillows to support him when he was getting to the sitting up stage - worked nicely to cushion the inevitable tumbles!

[SA Chris]

Yep, he is OK on Calpol and we have a syringe.

Got a couple of V pillows, rowie found them good for sleeping comfortably when she was heavy with child, and they are used for feeding now. Certain getting use if good for sitting up training too!

[fatkid2000]

I think ibuprofen can only be used from 3 months plus, will look into this dry powdered crap.

That's right it's not licensed in under 3 months or under 5Kg weight - although it does get used out side this in hospital.

[SA Chris]

Anyone got any good toys suggestions for an attentive 3 month old. grandparents seem intent in filling our house with large noisy battery operated things he things he shows very little interest in.

best buys so far;

Fisher Price Rainforest cot mobile - keeps him running on the spot with happiness for at least half an hour every morning. Mispriced at half RRP in tesco.
Mirrored soft toy above changing mat - about £2 and still fascinates him and distracts him so he doesnt wriggle and get shit everywhere.
Plastic hoop with some rattly bits on it that he loves to shake forever. About £1.

Wrist / Ankle rattles are a complete waste of time btw. He seems oblivious to their existence.

[Fiend]

Good natured labrador 

[nik at work]

We used a good natured collie but the principle is much the same I imagine.

Dylan loved anything he could pile up (that's not to say he piled up dogs).

[SA Chris]

Would love to get a dog (probably a border terrier) but not ideal once we are both back at work and the nipper is in nursery.

[fatkid2000]

Would love to get a dog (probably a border terrier) but not ideal once we are both back at work and the nipper is in nursery.

We want a dog - but have the same issues.

May be UkB dog share.

Apparently dog walking services cost £120 plus / week for 3-4 days/week!!

[Jim]

maracas and a drum where some of the early toys, then the brick trolley and trike after that

[SA Chris]

Got some small bacardi maraccas lying about that were a promtional gieveaway. A good start on 2 counts.

[SA Chris]

May be UkB dog share.

Apparently dog walking services cost £120 plus / week for 3-4 days/week!!

Bit if a commute for the poor dog! I sometimes think I should be stay at home dad and start up a dog walking business.

[Nim]

M had a bouncy chair with a hoop thing over that had little toys that played tunes that he could bash about.  He liked that when he was about 3 months.  A bit later on he liked stacking cups - particularly if you stacked them up then let him knock them down.  Later on he started stacking them himself, but the novelty of destruction still hasn't worn off completely. 

Remember you can make things - get a couple of small plastic bottles and fill one with rice and one with chickpeas - let him learn how they make different noises while sounding the same.  Another good one is to part fill with water and put some glitter in.  Make sure you tape the tops up properly though. 

Also make sure you try and destroy anything before giving it to him - babies are amazingly good at getting into things that they shouldn't!

[Jim]

stacking cups are a well good toy. cost less than fuck all as well.
2 year old is well into her duplo now. proper psyched for it

[SA Chris]

M had a bouncy chair with a hoop thing over that had little toys that played tunes that he could bash about. 

You mean one of the ones that hang from a doorframe?

[magpie]

You mean one of the ones that hang from a doorframe?

Those are great, lots of wee ones love them cause it lets them feel their feet.  Avoid after eating though, or it can get really messy.   

[SA Chris]

Sometimes a raincoat is more appropriate than a square of muslin.

[magpie]

Look how big he's got?!  He's a proper wee man! 

[SA Chris]

13 lbs 9 oz yesterday, and tall like dad (well not as tall yet, obviously).

[fatdoc]

Any advice for early teething? Apart from Bonjela, Calpol and ear plugs? He's not even 11 weeks, were hoping for a break.

Also are the Bumbo seats any good?

Chilled cucumber is good as the cooling works as topical pain relief and it's a good texture / solidity to help them cut through.

As for gel, we found that the best one was dentinox.

I think calpol is pretty tight on the age limit, but if in real need I'd say go for 1.25 ml.  You can get small syringes which make dosing a real doddle.

Ignore the tooth powders, the chances are they're placebo, go for the cuecumber.

Mrs Fatdoc has just read this.. and as a dad that sleeps through the vast majority of night time horrors...

I suggest they may well be of use - we have experience by volume!

camomile based ones from any supermarket.. or Lloyds chemist..

[SA Chris]

Clarity fatdoc! You referring to the tooth powder? And recommend a calmomile baed one?

[fatdoc]

C'com Mrs Fatdoc......

OH yes!!

( sorry, in gite of celebration from the day in font....)

It's
NELSONS

teetha powders..

I dont care what the evidence base is -  we have 4.. they just work!!

you must rub them in..