Anyone who's gone through the teething stage with their little one will get this.
Sore gums and teeth are the tip of the iceberg: teething often seems to bring with it fever, diarrhoea and even chest infections. Not to mention the miserable days and restless nights - usually for the whole family 😭
Just looking at this little baby's pained face, we're pretty sure those of you out there who have had - or have right now - a baby in this state will totally relate to this story from mum Jules Coffey.
Jules has an Instagram account, newmumstheword, where she has shared possibly the most HONEST post we've ever read about what it's like to look after a teething baby.
Jules's Instagram post
"You know when you're really tired & you have to close one eye to focus. Kinda like half of you is at least napping?
"That's me typing this. I wouldn't have been surprised if the neighbours reported an unattended crying infant to the police last night.
"'No no officer all is fine thank you, but if you could possibly arrest me so I could grab some sleep in the holding cell that would be tops.
"See said child was not left to cry, she was cuddled, rocked, patted, sang to, taken out into the lounge room to watch wiggles, taken outside to look for birdies (all, might I add, I don't ever do because all of the above I am opposed to but when your child is in pain like that and screaming uncontrollably like never before - zero f**ks will be given) given water, given 3 bottles, given Panadol, given gel, kissed, loved, changed nappy, changed clothes, put in with the dog (she was STOKED at 2am).
"Sometimes NOTHING WORKS. Sometimes you just have to do what you gotta do to SURVIVE. Although I don't look like I survived.
"Tooth 4 has cracked & is swollen, she has a ulcer on her tongue from chewing down on it & life is just a bit sh*t for her. It breaks your heart to see them like that. I'm a tough one for routine & not giving in but it's all irrelevant in circumstances like last night.
"So many emotions involved as a parent when your child is in distress. Empathy, sadness, frustration, resentment. I went from saying 'my poor girl it's ok' to 'stop, you are being silly now, calm down mummy has had enough!'
"She was tired. I was tired. Daddy was tired. The dog was tired. I'm sure the neighbours were tired. So to women out there who have had these moments of utter exhaustion & despair, when you feel like you are going to crack, you are not alone.
"We are all human, it's normal to go through all the emotions when these tiny people are so reliant on you. It's physically (seriously though my arms & back think they have done a pump class) & emotionally draining.
"You have just got to do what you have to do in the moment & not be afraid to ask for help (MY GOD ADAM GET UP & GET THE FRIGGEN PANADOL) & remember" 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS'."
Woooah, soooo much truth in that, right? No wonder Jules's words have been 'liked' more than 11,000 times - and have encouraged other parents going through teething woes to share their pain.
One wrote:
"This was me with my 4 month old night before last. Tried the dummy, gel, fed twice through the night, pulled into bed with me. Tears, headaches and exhaustion the next day. Very thankful for great friends who let me vent, cry and have more than 5mins to myself, oh and a glass of vodka at the end of the day 😉"
And another simply said: "'Man! So real - lightweight - almost teared up at this...So Real."
Gosh, Jules - and all the other mums, dads and kiddies going through this right now - we hope it gets better for you soon. Sending hugs 🤗
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