Teething is a natural part of every child's development, however, it can sometimes be a painful and irritating experience for both you and your child. Some children do not seem to be bothered much when cutting teeth, while others seem to suffer a great deal. Teething can lead to irritability and restlessness and may affect a child's eating and sleeping habits. Fortunately, there are a variety of infant teething remedies available to parents. If your child does not find reasonable relief with a standard remedy, consult with your pediatrician to rule out other possible conditions.
Pain Gel
You can find an assortment of gels made for teething in your local drug store and many grocery stores. Baby Orajel's Teething Gel and Baby Anbesol are two options. If you are looking for a more natural teething gel, Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Gel is available paraben-free. This gel contains the same active ingredients that you will find in many teething tablets. One advantage to teething gels over many other remedies is the ability to begin working instantly instead of waiting for the body to process the medication, as with tablets or liquids administered orally. Unfortunately, many of the gels provide only short-term relief, but they may be beneficial while you wait for other remedies to take effect.
Homeopathic Remedies
Hyland's Teething Tablets are a homeopathic remedy for infant and toddler teething pain. These tablets are recommended by Dr. Jim Sears for safe and effective relief. The individual remedies found in this combination include calcarea phosphorica, chamomilla, coffea cruda and belladonna. These remedies may also be used individually to address specific symptoms of the teething child. Consult with a homeopathic practitioner to determine which remedies may be most suitable for your child.
Over-the-Counter Medicines
When your child is suffering from teething, you may wish to try the infant formulations of standard pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Your pharmacist or pediatrician can help you to determine the proper dosage for your child. While the jury is still out among physicians as to whether or not teething can cause a fever, these medications are useful in instances where a mild fever accompanies the other symptoms your child is experiencing. Every child is different and one of these pain relievers may work better for some children than others. Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions about using these medications to relieve your child's teething pain.
References
- Orajel: Teething Pain Medicine
- Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets
- "Homeopathic Remedies for Children's Common Ailments"; Carolyn Dean, M.D., 1995
