How to Relieve Teething Pain Naturally

21. August 2008 · 1 comment · Categories: Remedies, Teething, Uncategorized · Tags: ,

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

PhotobucketMy 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.

Chamomile, Baby’s Little Wonder Herb

12. October 2007 · 16 comments · Categories: Cold and Flu, Remedies, Teething · Tags: , , ,

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.