How I do not wish to be a baby right now!
Most times I look at bub, sleeping in a comfy cot or being pushed around in a snazzy pram and think "gee, I wish someone would let me sleep in the afternoon" or "how awesome to get pushed around the shops"! I think many of us have thought that before :)
But now we're in hard-core teething territory I'm not so sure I'd want to trade places. Actually, I think it quite advantageous that we grow up and don't remember it.
And I'm not talking just a little dribbly, chewing on a fist with no real evidence of teeth. Oh no, I'm talking huge swelling, little white protrusions everywhere breaking through all higgly piggly. We've gone from two front teeth (that took 3 months to fully rise) to a couple of weeks full-on teething producing (so far) one complete molar, 2 molars starting to cut & 4 eyeteeth all showing through. Poor bub!
Funnyily enough, my first had a lot of teething pain but at least his teeth came in the proper order. My second has gone from two front teeth to a molar - how that works, I'll never know. Apparently "cross-cutting" as my paediatrician described it, is more painful that normal teething. After what's going on here right now, I could agree with that.
So what have we done to ease my little ones pain? Quite a selection of remedies actually :)
Firstly, it began with teething toys (the chewable kind with sterile water inside) that I kept in the fridge. This turned into multiple teething toys that have been constantly rotating through the fridge the last couple of weeks.
Then we needed to "up the ante" so moved onto an natural amber teething bracelet. He was very fascinated with this, so I've had to pop it right up his arm, under his sleeve, where it's quickly forgotten. As the teething worsened, I added an amber necklace wrapped around his ankle a couple of times, under the sock. I think the added warmth helped too. (find out how amber works as a natural analgesic & anti-inflammatory here).
Then the next 2 molars half popped out....ouch!
That's when I remembered the chamomile tea remedy we used with my first son...off the healthfood shop we went! So easy...just make the tea, let it cool then rub it on their sore little gums. I found this really helped. I also soaked a cotton facewasher in the tea & froze it, giving it to bub to chew on. He really enjoyed this :)
I would be lying if I let you believe that's all I did for him - but as molars 2 and 3 started to cut I had no choice but to offer panadol & then nurofen as the pain worsened. Although these did help, I keep it minimal as my bub has some digestive issues & painrelievers aren't generally good for him, & he does tend to vomit them back up.
Just a little soapbox for a minute - chemist style teething gel - you know the brands I'm talking about (but as I'm about to speak negatively I won't mention them by name ). If you do a little research you'll see that there's research linking the use of these gels with stomach ulcers in baby's and toddlers. Keep in mind these products are generally aspirin based, so each time you administer it, you're essentially giving your baby a dose of aspirin, which is known to cause stomach ulcers & thin the blood. Anyway, I'm no doctor, I just think we should all take the time to check it out...
The one product I would recommend though that you can get from your chemist is Hyland Teething tablets. They are in a lactose base that my bub can't tolerate, however we had fantastic success using them with my first. They are a natural, homeopathic remedy that is also very calming. We found them helpful for sleeplessness too bub's sleeplessness that is!).
And as I said before, I'm no doctor, just an ex-naturopathic assistant & mum of two terrible teethers, who thought my experiences might be of assistance to you. I'd love to hear your thoughts & experiences too..feel free to comment below.
And if you're looking for a good range of teething products here you'll find bpa free teething toys, natural amber teething remedies & soon to arrive 100% natural rubber teething toys too - where I stock the products I know, that I have used and that I trust.
bpa free magic flower teething toy
amber natural teething necklace in cognac
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