Teething | dkMommy Spot

How to Relieve Teething Pain Naturally

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I’m on a little hiatus…but dkMommy Spot goes on! This is a popular post from way back.

My 5-month-old has entered that stage when drooling and chomping on everything is his main pasttime. Teething has begun. So when he really started fussing and I could tell he was getting uncomfortable, I packed him up and set off to my local supermarket to see what I could find to help him relieve his teething pain naturally.

Whether you’ve been through the teething stage with your baby or just asked around, you know there are all kinds of possible solutions. Many parents swear by Baby Orajel, a topical pain reliever rubbed on the gums. Others like giving their baby a cold washcloth to knaw on. And although not everyone agrees with this solution, still others like to apply a little Jack Daniels to the swollen gums.

I knew I wanted the most natural solution. I read the Orajel box, which besides not being a natural remedy, stated you could only use it for seven days. I figured my son would be teething for more than seven days! Besides, I wasn’t certain how long the pain relief could last. It might help him in getting to sleep, but I couldn’t imagine it’d be enough to get through the night.There were a few other comparable products, but nothing that impressed me. It was then I found a little bottle of homeopathic teething tablets – something I hadn’t thought of.

I had never used homeopathic remedies. Surprising for someone who likes the natural route, I know, but I was always skeptical. They’re so small. How could they possibly work? Well, the box said 100% natural, and the company, Hyland’s, has been in business for 100 years. Also, I figure with a baby, there’s no power of suggestion there. If they feel better, something worked. No telling them it was all in their mind!

I took the tablets home. The next time he started fussing and drooling, I put two under his tongue and kept my finger in there to make sure they stayed in place. They melted almost immediately. Within 20 minutes he stopped crying and fell asleep.The instructions do mention that if your baby falls asleep, it’s most likely due to the pain ceasing. It’s not a baby sleep aid, in other words. I’ve noticed if my son has really been crying or fussy due to teething, after taking these, he’s able to get to sleep rather quickly.

If you’d like to know more about these tablets, they do have a website at www.hylandsteething.com. I was at the health food store this weekend, and I found they make several other homeopathic products as well. I’m definitely keeping a bottle of these around for the duration of the teething process!

For more tips on how to relieve teething pain naturally, read my articles on chamomile and other natural remedies.

Allspice Necklaces for Teething

08. May 2008 · 3 comments · Categories: Herbalism, Homemade Products, Remedies, Teething

You learn something new every day. That’s what I love about blogging. You get to talk about your favorite things with people all over the blogosphere. Today I learned about the allspice necklace to aid in teething pain, something I’ve never run across in all my teething pain searches.

While reading the comments left at the Hyland’s Homeopathic Giveaway (yes, I read them all!) I found one particularly interesting bit of info in a comment left by Alexia at The Mommy Rambles. She said she’s used allspice teething necklaces for her two boys and had great success. I emailed her to find out what she was talking about. I cook with allspice. That’s about as far as that’s gone for me so far.

Alexia gives instructions on how to make the necklace, and if you’re worried about safety, she gives an alternative to making it with a magnetic clasp that pops off easily. I’m a nervous nellie, so I’d probably only use one when my son was awake and nearby, but Alexia has used them for both her sons with no problems. So use your mommy discretion.

The allspice necklace helps the teeth pop through a lot quicker (more info on Alexia’s post) but doesn’t ease teething pain, so it’s good to have a backup of teething tablets or other aids.

(Isn’t this picture of Alexia’s son Noah adorable??? Don’t worry, Noah, we’ll get our own necklace. You keep yours.)

Hyland’s Homeopathic Giveaway

06. May 2008 · 118 comments · Categories: Contest, Health, Product Review, Teething · Tags: giveaways, homeopathy, hyland's

Hyland’s has been making natural homeopathic medicines for over 100 years, but I didn’t discover them until my son started teething about a year and a half ago. I’m so glad we did! We’ve kept them in the house throughout the entire teething process, and we’ve been able to bypass using unnatural teething gels and pain relievers time and time again. Since the teething tablets were so successful, I used the Hyland’s tablets when my son got his first cold. Those worked wonders too, and we breezed through that first cold.

If you’ve never tried homeopathic medicine, it’s time to try a totally natural, safe way to help even the smallest of children deal with the discomforts of colds, flus, and teething without the use of typical over-the-counter medicine. (Hyland’s explains homeopathy if you still aren’t sure what it is.) If you have tried them, then you’re all ready to get in on the latest giveaway. Either way, here’s your chance to stock up!

I have three boxes of Hyland’s tablets to give to one lucky reader: One box of Sniffles ‘n Sneezes 4 Kids, one box of C-Plus Cold Tablets, and one box of Teething Tablets.

3 Ways to Enter:

1.) Leave a comment telling me whether or not you’ve ever used homeopathic medicine. If you have, why do you like them?

2.) Subscribers are automatically entered into this and all future giveaways. Just click on the green “Subscribe to dkMommy Spot by Email” button on the upper corner of the right hand column. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you don’t receive it, check your junk mail.)

3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back.

Do all three, and you’ve got three entries to win! You have until midnight on Sunday, May 11, 2008, to enter.

Psst! Don’t miss the KangarooBoo $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway! Ends Tomorrow!

Nutritious Foods for Teething Toddlers

14. March 2008 · 2 comments · Categories: Baby Food, Teething

Has your toddler lost her appetite? It may just be the pain of teething keeping her from noshing on her favorite meals. Since you want to keep nutrition high, especially when your darling isn’t feeling her happiest, here are some healthy, easy-to-eat foods:

Spinach Apple Mush
Mix together:
about 1/4 cup finely grated apple
a large handful raw baby spinach, boiled until soft
organic rice baby cereal
a little cooking water from the spinach

Avocado Smash
(This is also great as baby’s first vegetable.)
Mash one avocado with one banana (or 1/2 of each, depending on the appetite.)

Try cutting favorite softer finger foods in smaller bites, and if your toddler’s gums really look swollen, avoid the crunchy stuff for awhile. While harder foods are often a welcome item to chew on for a teether, they lose their appeal when pain is present.

Also try going back to your toddler’s favorites from earlier babyhood, like some of the baby food recipes I’ve shared previously.

Chamomile, Baby’s Little Wonder Herb

12. October 2007 · 16 comments · Categories: Cold and Flu, Remedies, Teething · Tags: chamomile tea, herb use, herbal teas, Teething

Chamomile. A little flowery herb you drink as tea when you need help getting sleepy. That’s all I thought it did too, once upon a time. But now I’m never without a jar of dried chamomile. That stuff is a whole medicine cabinet in a mug, and yet this misunderstood member of the sunflower family goes along in life being viewed as a dainty little flower whose only power is making you go night-night. As far as I’m concerned, though, it’s the best and most versatile herb for babies and young children.

Chamomile tea is gentle and effective as an astringent for things like diaper rash and heat rash when applied directly to the skin. As a drink, it soothes a queasy or sore tummy and it helps halt diarrhea. Cradle cap bugging you? A little rinse in chamomile can help soothe the itch and scratch. It’s also good for a cough, bronchitis, staving off nightmares, and easing ulcers (for the nervous parent). But one of my favorite uses is for that crankity thing that happens to babies and toddlers when they teethe. If your child gets all squirrely and restless from teething like my son does, a little warm chamomile tea does amazing things. I give my son just a couple of ounces of warm tea when he’s all wound up from the discomfort of a new tooth, and I usually see a calmer, happier baby in about 30 minutes. Yes, the Chamomile Fairy comes and replaces my child with a quiet one. Okay, not really. But the transformation is often quite remarkable.

No matter how you use this magical herb, preparation is pretty much the same. Take two teaspoons of dried herb and using a tea strainer or tea ball, steep it in a mug of very hot water for about 10 – 15 minutes. Strain the tea well, and of course make sure it isn’t too hot to drink. For younger babies, I’d try using only small quantities, although I’ve not heard of any dangers. The only precautions would be these: Chamomile can have a binding effect, so if your baby is constipated, you may want to steer clear until her plumbing is back to normal. Also, any tea is diuretic so try not to give too much before bedtime or your sleepyhead will just wake up with a wet diaper. Lastly, I have heard of one child having an allergic reaction to chamomile, so no matter the age, try a small amount first to make sure there are no side effects. A swabbing of tea applied to the skin can be a good way to test – watch for redness or irritation. Other than these few small cautions, chamomile is by far one of the safest herbs. It’s definitely one of the most versatile!

So there you have it! A wonderful herb you can keep on hand as a replacement to several over-the-counter medications for children. Certainly one of my favorites. There’s been more than one tough day that has ended with the sight of me slumped on the couch with a mug of this in hand, waiting for its calming relief – and a sighting of the Chamomile Fairy.

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