Your baby is fussy, sleeping poorly and desperately putting his hands in his mouth. How can you relieve your infant’s teething pain? Babies teething have a range of teething symptoms but the main one is fussiness. There are many teething remedies on the market including teething tablets and drops you name it. Some will even suggest you give your baby some Tylenol or some serious numbing gels. They’ll say “It’s baby Tylenol,” or “It’s baby Orajel.” As if the word baby before a medicine makes it safe.
Baby Tylenol has been recalled twice in the last two years. On May 4th, 2010, the drugs Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl were voluntarily recalled by manufacturer McNeil. Spokesman Marc Boston reported that there may be tiny metal speaks and more of the active drug than specified. Over 50 products are included in this recall and Johnson & Johnson has recommended that special care be taken, especially in medication for children. (To view the list visit here)
If you are breastfeeding, a tooth sensitizer like Orajel can make it difficult for your baby to nurse because your baby will undoubtedly swallow a certain amount which can numb the throat and tongue and result in an incorrect latch.
SO WHAT ARE THE NATURAL REMEDIES FOR TEETHING?
Distraction Especially at day time, your baby might need a bit more distraction than usual while teething. Playing alone might not work at all. Consider doing things that your baby really loves, such as going the playground, bathing or just playing together. Having fun definitely helps!
Numb with Cold- A wet washcloth is the perfect thing to wet and place in the freezer.
Frozen water melon is another option. But only if your baby is over 9 months old and has started solid foods. As always, you need to watch your baby, so that he doesn’t choke.
A home remedy I recently learned about is vanilla extract. Rubbing it against your baby’s gum is supposed to easy the pain a bit.
Teething Toys – When buying teething toys always check the components list. Recent studies have linked BPA and phthalates with a horrific number of diseases and this period of your baby’s neurological and organ development puts him at the highest risk point of his life. According to Silicone Zone USA, Silicone is the safest plastic alternative on the market today with no known side effects.
Soothe Teething Rash – Drool contains stomach acids that can irritate your baby’s delicate skin. Be sure to put a protective layer of an all natural skin barrier around his mouth to keep the rash at bay. Petroleum is the main ingredient in many popular baby oils and moisturizers, READ THE LABELS. You can find shea butter and coconut oil online or at health food stores and they both make excellent safe and natural moisturizing barriers for your baby’s face (and his body.)
Keep Baby’s Clothing Dry – All that constant drooling often means your baby’s clothes are wet which can increase irritability. Double up on bibs or switch to large towel bibs and change clothing frequently to keep your baby dry and comfortable.
Teething Amber Necklaces – This is my favorite and I have heard many of my clients rave about it. Amber teething necklace is a traditional baby teething remedy. A natural analgesic, amber used for centuries in Europe. Wearing Baltic amber close to the skin will help calm a baby without resorting to drugs. Natural anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties of Baltic amber are perfect to soothe teething babies. Here is a link to purchase your own.
Homeopathy I found that these works the best Camilia Teething Relief from Boiron, easily found either at a health food store or online. Another is a Teething gel by Hyland.
Amber Amethyst Teething Relief Cream .Comfort the teething process by gently rubbing this cream on baby’s neck and jaw area. Purchase here.
Baltic Amber teething necklaces are the ideal solution when you choose to care for your baby in a natural way. You can find them here or at many health food stores. Please do not let baby sleep with the necklace at night. Necklace should be shot enough baby cannot reach it with his mouth, but not too tight.
