Today my son (18 months) was so unhappy. He seemed to fuss and cry all day. I know he is trying to get some more teeth, because he sticks his finger in his mouth; and I gave him Tylenol and a wash rag to chew on. But it seemed like nothing I could do would make him happy, unless we went outside to walk, and then he was okay. But he has just been fussy all day, and at supper, he sat in his chair and fussed the whole time after he ate. So I wonder if it's just his teething or something else, since we went outside and he got okay; it seems like if he was hurting, he would still cry outside. We have days like this every so often, and it's so hard since he can't tell us what's wrong. Does anyone else experience this? Is this just normal toddler behavior? Or could it just be the teething?

It is the age and as you know those teeth will be a part of it. Unfortunately to us but good to them the fussing is the way they know how to communicate and we must figure it out. sometimes it is so hard no matter what you do isn't it!? you mentioned when you were outside it seemed to have made it a little better. Mine do the same, three and nearly two. They want to be out running and exploring, sometimes that fresh air is all you need,we have been couped up all winter.

My son is 15 months old and some days he acts the same way. Turns out this past week he had an ear infection. I would say if it lasts longer than a day or two, you should probably take him in to the doctor and have him checked out. Is it possible he is lactos intolerant? That could explain him being irritated after eating..?
I am also curious if he is developing good language skills? I babysit a little girl who will be 2 in August and she does not use words very well. She refuses to try saying new words and I think her mom gives her what she wants whenever she grunts, points, cries or whines. She often acts this way and I read up on it a bit and talked to a PHD I know who said she could be frustrated and acting out because she isn't able to communicate effectively. She also tends to put everything in her mouth still, and that should be tappering off. She gets sick a lot because of that habit also. The PHD suggested it could be due to a nutritional or developemental deficiency. I don't really know how to talk to her mom about this. I have gently suggested that she try to make her daughter use words to get what she wants but I don't think she follows through. Best of luck to you. Kids can be a mystery! Thank goodness spring is finally here and we can get them outside!

It could also be "growing pains". When babies are growing their bodies hurt. And I'm sure the teething was not helping...(try teething tablets instead of baby oragel). Good luck and I would take him to the doctor just to make sure it is not an ear infection as well! Good Luck!!!

I immediately thought it might be his ears. I suffered from horrible ear infections as a child. They are extremely painful, and unless you have experienced one you have no idea. My son also went through the agony of multiple ear infections. If your baby is crying excessiveley when you lay him down, pulling on his ears, they are red inside the canal, they have excessive discharge, he starts running a temp, or the he's just fussy for a couple of days, take him in to the doctor. It could also be teeth, a growing spurt, or he's just changing his schedule around, or he's just being almost 2. Kids are hard to read sometimes especially when they can't tell you what's wrong. Good luck!

I think it was just a bad day. It happens sometimes. Today he's been fine. We got out of the house and had to go to the store (he enjoys getting out, I think he just gets tired of being in the house). And I think he was just really tired yesterday and having teething pain. We've never had trouble with ear infections or anything, and I don't think that's the problem. We go to the doctor next week anyway, for his 18 month well visit, so I can ask then, too.
CKA: as far as his language development, I think he's talking pretty good. He has a big vocabulary and talks alot, and he speaks most of his words very clear. At 15 months he was saying 40 different words, and he's learned more since then. I don't know what normal is for a 18 month old, though. One of his favorite words is "milk" and he'll point to the refrigerator and say it when he wants some. He will say anything my husband and I tell him to say-the latest is "I love you" He still puts things in his mouth, but he only has 8 teeth, so he does that because he is still teething.