[bluedaisy]

My 4 month old just cut her first tooth last week, and I think the second one is on its way out. she's been having a really hard time at night and is clearly in pain.
we bought infants tylenol and baby orajel but I'm concerned about some of the ingredients in those, and I'm wondering if there are any natural alternatives. The past two nights I've tried to see if I could comfort her in other ways but she only fell asleep after I gave her tylenol.
any suggestions?

 

[Krisis]

We really love Hyland's teething tablets but I don't know if those would be good for a 4 month old. I bought this catnip and fennel stuff that was supposed to help with teething when Toby was a baby and it did nothing for him, so we just used Orajel.

 

[Norasmomma]

Another hylands fan here-they works wonders. They make the tablets and the gel. I would call Hyland's directly they have wonderful customer service, ask them if it safe for a 4 month old. My DD was also an early teether, so I understand where you are coming from. I know you may not want to hear this, but many times the only thing that helped my DD was a tiny bit of infant's ibuprofen, she was a really bad sweller and so that helped relieve some of the swelling.

Teething is hard stuff, my DD teethed on and off until, well she still has some teething issues and she's 2.5.

 

[mowedpath]

cold, peeled carrots to gum
Hyland's gel (then tablets when he was older)
nurse, nurse, nurse

For what it's worth... I asked the doc about topical vs. Tylenol and he said Tylenol -- the topical wears off pretty quickly and can be dangerous if given too much. Our LO had a tough time with the first teeth, too, and we gave Tylenol at least once that I remember, but have managed to make it through 8 teeth so far pretty exclusively on Hyland's. It became part of the bedtime routine for a while and worked well. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Una]

Hylands teething tablets work very well. I've also heard good things about using an amber teething necklace but I'm not sure how they work exactly.

Another thing you could do is get some soft baby wash cloths and soak part of it in breast milk, then freeze it and let her suck on it. Your babe will get relief from the cold and some yummy milk too.

 

[Chloe'sMama]

another vote for hylands tabs. We had a couple of rough nights (very rough), but nursing and hylands worked. We actually bought some tylonol, but didn't end up using it.... that was just in case.

We also got a teething necklace and it seems to work, but she pulls it off all the time now. We started it too late I fear. I would reccomend that you try it now and maybe your little one will get used to it and not pull it off.

 

[littlebabydoll]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowedpath nurse, nurse, nurse

Can someone tell me why to bump up nursing? I though I read some where that the sucking hurts their gums? I though babies nursing less and fussing at the boob was one sign of teething?

 

[brennan]

My lo is 4 1/2 months old and got her first tooth at 3 1/2. We didn't do orajel, I was told that those topical gels can freeze the back of the throat and make it hard for them to swallow. We also didn't do tylenol, we have a toy called a "ringley" that's basically a wooden teething ring attatched to a cloth (all organic) and we would get the cloth wet and freeze it.

http://www.ringley.ca/ (I see its Canadian, I think there is one you can get in the states too...or really you could make one)

Unfortunately, dd didn't quite understand the concept of keeping anything in her mouth to help her. Also, I just nursed. She really just comfort sucked the whole time. I guess that's why nursing works? I don't really know.

Also, my Yoga teacher said that a single wrap cinamon stick works (apparently the cinamon is a natural numbing agent), but I didn't feel comfortable giving that to dd when she's under 6 months

 

[minmoto2]

nak-my lil guy is teething too

we use 'herbasaurus' teething drops w/camomilla.(.i think similar ingredients as hyland's..just in drops) & rub clove oil on his gums..has worked wonders through 3 teeth so far..

 

[mowedpath]

You know, I read that somewhere, too -- but it didn't end up being the case for us.

It isn't so much that I bumped up nursing (I've never been the one to control the nursing schedule, LOL) as that he comfort nurses a lot when teething. Sometimes for much of the night. It was difficult at times. I definitely thought I would lose my mind a few nights! But I realized and really appreciate that I can help him through the pain without having to give him any medication simply by being available to nurse him for all that extra time.

So I say "nurse, nurse, nurse" not so much as a directive, but as a description of how we get through the tough teething times. Sorry if it was misleading!

 

[hippiemum21580]

LURV those teething tabs! It's the only thing that worked for two of my kids!
Clove oil.
I second the frozen breastmilk-ippd washcloth as well!
catnip tea.
And with my last son he nursed seemingly non stop as a comfort with the teething.

 

[CHoney]

I love Camilia by Boiron for teething. They come in ready to use capsules so they are very handy if you're away from home. They worked the best for DS. And we also use Hyland's teething gel from the Health Food store.

 

[ledzepplon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHoney I love Camilia by Boiron for teething.

Yup!

My kids also liked chewing cold, wet washcloths.