Baby Orajel

[allyray231]

I have a call into my Ped but I was wondering if it is ok to use. I thought I remeber reading a thread where it had something in it that was bad??

[emschwar]

If you search for "orajel" you'll find plenty of posts on this subject.

It's fine to use. It just doesn't last long.

[Marisa]

I think that since it has a numbing agent, it can be dangerous if the baby swallows any. If you do use it, use the absolute smallest tiniest amount right on the area, so there's nothing left to swallow.

[allyray231]

Thanks ladies

[Ericka_Jarett]

Word of warning, your child will probably scream :eek: when you put it on, but should stop in a few seconds after it starts to numb. When I worked in daycare I had to use the baby orajel once and I said no wonder they scream when you put it on, it stings on that open skin. As an adult I use the regular orajel and it doesn't hurt nearly as much as the baby one does.

[Kanga]

Be extremely careful not to get any on the tongue. It can numb the tongue making it difficult for a baby to swallow and can cause them to choke (I don't want to make you paranoid, I'm sure you'd have to get quite a bit on the tongue for that to happen.)

[BuffaloBlondie]

I am a paranoid mom and haven't used it yet. I think the stuff is gross and I don't like when my tongue gets numb. I couldn't imagine ever putting it in my baby's mouth. Other alternatives that worked well for us: ice cubes wrapped in cloth (I would hold onto these),or that mesh holder with ice or a frozen banana.

[kimthebride]

I can't believe your memory!

You are probably recalling our conversation in the May/June thread last year, post#651 where I discussed my Ped & I discussing teething:
- I showed him the Little Remedies products I have and he said NEVER give the one that has the ingredient Benzocaine in it. Little Teethers, Orajel and Anbesol each have products with this ingredient which can be deadly - it is listed as one of the top 14 most poisonous things a child can consume . One teaspoon can affect blood's ability to carry oxygen, causing a child to turn blue. He also gave me the complete list of those poisons so i know how to read labels more safely.

And this is the ditty on Benzocaine from that list (post #665):
Benzocaine. Used as a teething medicine (Orajel, Anbesol) or in anti-itch medicines (Vagisil). One teaspoon can affect the blood's ability to carry oxygen, causing your child to turn blue.

ETA: I use Hyland's Teething tablets and he is fine with them. For severe pain (like right now he's getting 4 in at once) I use Motrin. Ped told me how much to give.

[cartersmommy]

what i do is just put a small amount on my pinkie finger and then make sure i know where i'm going with it and put it on his gums that way. then i KNOW i'm getting too much, and its just on his gums. it works for us, hopefully that helps!

[KiKi'sMommy]

If you are needing something to ease the pain of teething, the Hyland Teething Tablets are the best thing ever invented! I used to give my DD about two or three of those and she was good to go. Also, tylenol can help with the teething pain if it is really bad.

[solongtogo]

I have a friend whos peditritian told her that the use of orajel makes the gums stiffer and that much harder for the next round of teeth to poke through. I just use teething tablets and motrin. I've also heard that the baby can choke if you use orajel, since it numbs them they can have excess saliva and choke on it.

[allyray231]

Thanks ladies. I spoke to the ped and she said I could use it but it didn't really last long. I ended up picking some up but haven't used it. I got the one that comes in the q-tip so you know how much you are putting on,

I finally got the Hyland tab but luckly he has been doing well with nothing so we shall see!

Kim I knew it was in the thread somewhere I could not find it! Thanks!