T.F. asks from Chula Vista, CA on November 25, 2008
Mediceine and Homeopathic Med Questions????
My baby went from having a gas monster to teething. She has learned that if she is given something it will make her feel better.
Here is my question. My baby is a good baby that rarely cry's, but when she does it is for a reason, be it gas or teething. I cant let her suffer so I run the gambit of homeopathic remedies and then if that does not work traditional medicine such as Tylenol or gas medicine. It seems that every day she is given something be it teething tabs or Tylenol and most of the time both.
This cant be good for her. I also have chamomile drops that I give her after the teething tabs and before the Tylenol. I have a retinue, tabs then chamomile then Tylenol and I stop giving stuff when she stop fussing. I also have homeopathic oragel and real oragel and I try the homeopathic one before I switch to the chemical one. Please dont get me wrong, I am in no way over medicating my baby as per the instructions on the packages i wait some time for each one to try and work but I am concerned that my baby will learn that meds make things better so that she might learn to like meds just to feel good. I know this sounds crazy but I have a mother that is a hypochondriac that loves to be sick and need to take meds and I am concerned that my baby will not be able to get through a day without taking something. I think most of the time it is a placebo effect but I still hate to have her become dependent on the act of taking stuff to feel good.
Is this normal to be living on teething tabe and tylonol? i worry about it but it does work and it makes her feel better. Also how long can she live like this? It has been a few weeks now and I worry.
Thanks and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
BTW- frozen stuff and chew stuff do not work for her I have tried all known teething and soothing options out there. She does not do a pacifier and she is a breast fed baby that eats rice cereal at dinner time with bananas and applesauce as per dr's ok. She is 4.5 mo old.
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K.C. answers from Los Angeles on November 26, 2008
When my daughter was going through teething or had gas,I got through it w/Homeopathics.Hylands has remedies that I was more comfortable with then the otc's.Teething tabs and colic for gas.It always did the trick!!
Best of luck!
E.L. answers from Los Angeles on November 25, 2008
HIGHLANDS ( i think ) or ask the store - it's over the counter at the rite aid store or drug store - baby section
great for teething - it's calms them down .
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J.B. answers from Los Angeles on November 25, 2008
when my daughter started teething bad her dr said to give her tylenol every four hours which i did because the teethinh tablets only last a few minutes. what i found that i absolutly love for teething is the gentle naturals teething drops (they are non chemical and work for 2 hours). now i hardly ever have to use tylenol when my daughter is teething unless she has a fever. i would try the drops :) they were a life saver for me! my daughter also started teething that 4.5 months and didnt break teeth through till 7. good luck!
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B.N. answers from Los Angeles on November 25, 2008
My son is 15 months and is a teething crazy monster! He needs soemthing to chew on a lot or a pacifier. He does usually get the teething drops (same as the teething tablets) or tylenol at least once a day. He is in a lot of pain and once he has the "medicine" in his system (either one) his attitude improves dramatically. I do try to avioid giving to him if at all possible and have lots of toys in the freezer for him to chew on or simply crushed ice wrapped in a rag. It's messy but is such a great way to numb them up without giving them any chemicals. hey, our parents used to use whiskey or brandy on us before all the new things that are out. If you are following the package and it's helping your daughter, don't feel bad. Be confident that you are being a great mom and helping your little sweetie feel better!
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N.W. answers from Los Angeles on November 26, 2008
You sound like a mom who is really trying her best to be attentive to little Jadzia's needs. Your heart is in the right place!
I'd encourage you to consider that Jadzia is growing in her needs for stimulation and awareness of her surroundings. I'd like to suggest you adding some steps to your routine ahead of offering any homeopathics or medications.
1. If she is cranky, fussy, or crying try a change of scene before reaching for any medicines. Especially heading outdoors! The fresh air and delight over all the wonders of the outdoors can really perk up moms and babies.
2. As a nursing mama, try to see if she will comfort at your breast. The close connection and action of nursing actually decreases the stress chemicals within both mom and baby's bodies; decreases any actual pain she may be in; and allows you to stop and assess all the other possiblities for her fussiness to come up with other (non-medicated) alternatives.
3. Please check out The Happiest Baby on the Block. It offers multiple practical ways for you to soothe your fussy baby. Once you figure out the combination that works for your baby, it is almost magical how quickly you can soothe your little one! Especially as a first time mom, it can really increase your confidence to have proven tools of soothing that you can use with immediate success.
Blessings as you grow in your ability to sooth, nurture and care for your precious Jadzia!
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M.D. answers from Los Angeles on November 26, 2008
T., you are a SMART mother to be looking at the future of your actions now. I would like to refraim your definition of a hypochondriac. It is a person who has never had an ACURATE diagnosis of symptoms so that they could be treated. They keep experiencing symptoms, feelings, and fears that become more and more compounded. In working with real symptoms, you want to seek out expert guidance and find someone that gives you real answers. A naturalpath (or naturopath) who diagnoses with muscle testing, can get to the CAUSE of the symptom and recommend natural remedies, supplements, and food-as-medicine to bring balance to the whole body. The symptoms will disappear once the cause is addressed. If your baby is having gas, there may be foods that he/she is eating that don't agree with his/her body. You might want to keep a food diary journal to discover when he/she is having gas. Is it related to a food or food group? If you come up with your own answer, that will solve it. If not, the food journal can still be a helpful tool when you are working with a professional.
K.C. answers from Los Angeles on November 26, 2008
When my daughter was going through teething or had gas,I got through it w/Homeopathics.Hylands has remedies that I was more comfortable with then the otc's.Teething tabs and colic for gas.It always did the trick!!
Best of luck!
K.S. answers from Los Angeles on November 27, 2008
Have you tried gripe water - it does wonders, especially for gas. Although it does not work for teething directly, it has a calming effect on babies. It is natural and can be bought online. Woodwards is the best brand.
D.V. answers from Los Angeles on November 26, 2008
Hi T.,
I am a mother of two children, ages 4 and 8. I gave both my son and daughter the same treatment you are giving your baby when they were babies and they did just fine. Its okay to give them homeopathic remedies and often if needed. You are following the doses on the package so you are not overmedicating them. Dependency is a good question. I look at it this way. The baby is reaching out to you for something because something is making them uncomfortable or they are in pain. A baby will become dependent on many things such as love, hugs, kisses, etc... I wouldn't worry about giving too much of something. Paying attention to the baby's needs is most important and that you are doing. She will be okay. My son started on gripe water for gas when he was 3 weeks old and it helped tremendously. I didn't need to give gripe water to my daughter but, I had to start her on protein at 4 months because her body needed it. I was very concerned about giving her baby food at such a young age but, I was nursing her every hour for several days and finally talked with the homeopathic pharmacist who made the conclusion. My daughter is A+ like me and that blood type needs protein. Both of my children are doing great. I have also worked in the healthcare industry for almost 18 years so I feel very comfortable sharing this advice with you. Keep doing what you are doing.
D. V.
C.W. answers from Los Angeles on November 26, 2008
Just remember this too shall pass!
Soon she will have most of her teeth and then there will be something else to worry about.
I am sort of funny about medication. I have 4 children, the oldest is 9 and the youngest is 1. I made it a rule to give my children (and myself) medicine only if it is at all necessary. If there is any way to avoid it I will do so. I know tylanol can be damaging to the liver and kidneys if overdosed and at such a young age it is hard to measure right...especially since your baby was a bit early and might be lighter and younger than what it states for her age. I would be careful to give it to her.
I might sound like a terrible mom but I also feel that a bit of uncomfortable-ness is good for growth and I want my children to learn that they can get through it on their own.
At least during the day, and I will do my best to take the time to cuddle them and play and take their mind off of the issue.
At night, if they cannot sleep, keep waking up and I know it is their gums I will do only a tiny bit of oragel for theething. you should try it on your own gums for dosing since a teeny tiny bit goes a long way. I always go with the size of a seed bead. or the top bump of the letter B on your keyboard...I massage it in where I know it hurts and it completely numbs the gums. My babies always fell fast asleep after that. Most of the time so quickly that they did not even remember that I did anything to them.
Nowadays I feel that even adults grab medicine too quickly, no one works through things anymore. That is
not a good habit and definitely not one you want to instill in your child.
Either way, I would not worry too much about the "normal" little pains she goes through, try to keep your cool and keep the use medicine for the times that she is really sick. Most of all be excited about the sweet little teeth that your baby is working so hard for!
good luck!
sincerly,
C.
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