Tips and Teethers Alert!

Ever wonder what to do with a fussy, irritable, teething baby? Maybe you have tried the teething gels that sooth and numb the gums. And guess what? It works and baby stops crying! But did you know that this is a potentially dangerous thing to do to your baby? This is what can happen...the teething gels have a numbing agent that numbs the gums from pain, however when baby swallows, the numbing agent is swallowed into the throat and there is a great risk of choking when feeding because the throat has become numb!! Never use a numbing agent on a baby! Best thing you can do for your baby is wet washcloth placed in refrigerator that he/she can chew on (monitored closely by Mom!) and/or a teething ring. Put the teething ring in the refrigerator NOT the freezer as this can be painful for your baby! You can also try the homeopathic dissolveable rememdies for baby and of course the best thing is LOVE AND PATIENCE! First and foremost, never give anything to your baby (grandma's and friends have lots of advice) without asking your Pediatrician. Err on the side of caution...Being a new mom is very intimidating and often confusing. You have so many friends and relatives with lots of advice to give about what worked for them. Alot of those ideas are safe and practical but does not always work for every baby. It is always a good idea to consult with your Pediatrician. A quick phone consult can save you lots of worry and gives you the tools to use for a healthy, happy baby!