My Four Month Old Is Teething!

Updated on January 22, 2007
N.L. asks from Saint Paul, MN
30 answers

Any good advice? He crys incessantly about every other night from pain. I have tried frozen washcloths, Tylenol, vibrating chew toys and freezer teethers. I (personally) hate using Oragel, but I have had many people tell me to try it. Has anyone had any luck with it? Any other good ideas?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Green Bay on

When my youngest daughter was teething, she would get an ear infection with each tooth it seemed. Maybe the doc can tell you of thats it. just a suggustion..

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

When my son was teething, there was this stuff out there that was a disolvable tablet that you just put into their mouth and it immediately dissolves, and it seemed to help him a lot with the teething. I didn't think it would when my mom gave it to me to try, but it did work. I don't know the name of it, or where my mom got it, but she said you could buy it in the store, it's not a prescription or anything. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

I have had great luck with Little Teether's brand. Plus, it comes with a chewy silicone ring that my daughter loves. She's only 6 months and already has 5 teeth, so we've had some teething experience! Good luck.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from La Crosse on

I use the orajel tabs, they look like q-tips. They work really good.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I'm with you there with that Orajel junk....I didn't like it on me, so there was no way I was putting it on my baby. If parents tried it themselves, they wouldn't use it either. Plus, it wears off earlier than it should and you have to wait to reapply. You also shouldn't give your baby tylenol while using Oragel, so, if you use it, you're basically biding time until you gan give the baby more...and it's a painful wait.

Our doctor told us to use tylenol instead. It cuts the pain for longer. So, that's what we used.

We also put an icecube in a washcloth, we got just the part with the icecube wet and she would suck and chew on that to her hearts content and that helped huge!

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

My son was 4 months when he started teething, he is now almost 8 and is working on his 10th tooth! SO, needless to say, it has been a struggle, I think when they start so early it's harder for them.
I stand behind Motrin, I think it really helps them, it's an anti inflamatory med., so it really makes sense, and when they are that young, I think the pain is a bit more intense.
Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

Have you tried homeopathic teething tablets. Yo ucan get them at Walgreens, there are two brands but the on I have is called Humphreys teething tablets. They seem to work well, some people swear they work miracles, for my babies they do a pretty good job. I use teething gel once in awhile, the baby kind and that does work, especially if you are need of giving instant comfort but over all I use the tablets most often for teething pain. They aren't too expensive ($4 a bottle) so they are worth a try. They are all natural so better than the gel I think. YOu can also use it as a topical application by dissolving one or two in a small bit of water on a teaspoon and applying it directing to the gums, I usually just give it to them orally to chew and swallow tho, so it can work both ways. Good luck, I have a 1 yr old who's had a stubborn tooth that just won't come out for weeks now so we;ve been battling constant teething for awhile, I can totally relate.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi N.,
I am a mom of 4 wonderful children. A six yo, and 4yo triplets. Please try the infant oragel. It really works. Also alternate between tylenol and infant motryn. The oragel works for about 15 min, by then the motryn gets into their system and they are a lot more comfortable. For some reason nights are worse then daytime with teething. My mom is also a dental assistant (26 years experience) and she says a child teething is the same type of pain an adult would experience having a root canal with out noviane. No wonder they cry. Good luck, hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

I don't like using the oragel either...however your baby is hurting...this was the only reason I used it too...I wanted him to feel comfortable not me...

I only used it at night though and I got the oragel nightime so he would be able to sleep. I gave him motrin during the day as the tylenol doesn't work very long at all.

It really should only take a couple of nights of using it to get him through the really tough nights. I think we used it for three days...then we didn't for a week, then his second tooth on the bottom came in so we were back to the drawing board....using it again...

Once you do use it, you will notice the difference in your son, and your sanity.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Madison on

I never had luck with the baby orajel. I used frozen wash clothes, icecubes, apples, I have heard people have let their kids chew on suckers. I also give them a toothbrush and some kids toothpaste, they seem to like the taste and it kept them quiet for a while. Infant's motrin seemed to do the trick for both my kids when nothing else did. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Green Bay on

Orajel has worked for my little guy. he was not a teether chewing kid, so the orajel and tylenol really helped him. Give it a try, it might work and will give the little boy some sleep. We use the gel put it on our finger and message his gums - easy to apply, at first my boy hates it because it doesn't taste good, but then he is a lot happier becuz it gives him some relief. Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

I used baby oragel. It worked I trust it or they have little pills that dislove in there mouth

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Green Bay on

We have four children and have tried everything. We like both the homeopathic teething tablets and the oragel. (just so you know, motrin(ibuprophen) lasts eight hours as opposed to tylenol(ascedamediphin --sp?) is only about four hours.) We did learn one thing with our thrid son...tylenol can sometimes "back" a baby up so watch for that.
Take care and good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

i have had a great response to oragel. they have day adn nighttime formulas. we used both and it really helped. if you aren't crazy about using oragel-try teething tablets. i'm not sure where to get them-but i have friends who swear by it. the tablets didnt work with our daughter. if all else fails...try tylenol.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.F.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am not a big fan of Orajel either. My pediatrician and the leader at an ECFE class that I attended both have said the Orajel can actually hinder teething because it hardens the gums. We use the Hylands teething tablets. I think you can get them at Walmart or Walgreens. They seem to do the trick, especially if you use them with Tylenol during the night when the teething seems to be worse. Everything will work out for you no matter what you decide. Good Luck!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.A.

answers from Wausau on

my name is L. I've used baby oragel and trust me it works it might tatse nasty as heck but give your baby a bottle and it should help with the taste .but it will work Idid it for all my kids,

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.T.

answers from Green Bay on

The Oragel worked somewhat for my little girl. What I have used the most is Hyland's Teething Tablets. It is more like a vitamin than a medicine. They are teeny tiny tablets that disolve in baby's mouth almost instantly. It is not something that helps on the spot for acute pain. So, I used it sometimes with the Oragel if I needed to. This can be found at most vitamin stores.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have 2 kids and I will tell you what I did.

If you decide to do the oragel, put it on a toothbrush that way you can kind of massage it in and get it where you need it. My kids liked to chew on the toothbrush even without the oragel on it.

The thing that worked the best was I had about 8 pacifiers and I kept them in the fridge with ice water. (squeeze them under the water and the bulb portion of it filled with ice cold water.)Sometimes I would freeze them and give them to my baby and the ice would hit just the right spot. They melt really fast but after a few trade outs they were good for quite a while.
Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Milwaukee on

Good Morning N.~
I understand your not wanting to use the orajel, however that is the only thing that worked for my kids. My daughter, who is now two and my son 7 mths. both used it. My daughter would never relax until we put some on the affected area. I tried the regular orajel and that didn't work; then I tried the nighttime orajel (blue and white tube) which worked tremendously. No more tears.
Good Luck and hope this helps:)

A little about me:

I am a SAHM in my mid 30's with two wonderful little ones. Mya 2 years old and Jacob 7 months. Daddy and I are currently trying to add to the family, we will see what the Lord has in store for us.....

C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have 17mo old twins and let me tell you the teething gels saved my sanity. I used the Orajel, but I personally liked the Ambesol Extra Strength and gave them a little bit of tylenol (especially with the molars). The other main reason why I use the teething gels is so the girls won't bite each other or me - they have the teething blankets, teethers you name a teething product out there we have probably tried it. Good luck!!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

N.-
I wasn't crazy about using Oragel either, but one day I gave in and purchased the baby Oragel Q-Tips. They worked wodnerfully. You snap the bottom releasing the medicine and touch baby's gum. It was easy to apply, I didn't worry about over medicating and my daughter was happy. Our daughter used a pacifire and we would put it in the freezer and she really enjoyed that too. Good luck and I hope it helps!

N.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I swear by teething tablets. My 2 girls used them and it was like instant relief.
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have had luck with Baby Bliss gripe water and also Hyland's teething tablets

Good Luck M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

My son HATED the orajel...but liked the ambasol. Maybe you could try that

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.D.

answers from Milwaukee on

Hi N.,

My advice Try a combination of Hyland's Teething Tablets,and Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, I discovered these all Natural teething products when My Now 3 year old started teething, They truly do work, we tried Oragel It wore off way to quickly and also caused the kids to temporary not want to eat. Both Hylands and Baby bliss are all natural and wont harm baby. our peditrition Highly recomends both products himself, He saw how well they worked with my son recomended them to his wife and now they also swear by the products.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I like the Hylands teething tablets-worth a try. My son had teeth at 3 mos so I know it is a little weird to be dealing with this at the infant stage,but it happens. Best of luck and hang in there.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Wausau on

Yea I used Oragel when my kids were teething. I tried to use it very little because it made their whole mouth numb I guess, but it did work. Maybe you can use something else during the day and try the Oragel at night, just to get some relief. I hope everything works out for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.G.

answers from Milwaukee on

I think you are doing everything you can - and everything I did. Frozen washrags seemed to be my daughter's favorite. Her last molar is coming in and she asks for them now (she is 2 yo). Unfortunatly it is just a sucky thing you (and he) has to go through. I know it is so frustrating!! At night I gave her motrin. Seems to last longer and ibuprophen helps more with inflamation. I also used the nighttime oragel.

Good luck to both of you!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Eau Claire on

hi, I have found that using the oral gel swabs work a lot better than the gel and the other you need to get is the teething tabs.

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Yeah, Orajel sucks! My boys couldn't nurse right when we used Orajel, so we stuck with teething tablets and chew toys. I never used Tylenol or Motrin for teething, I didn't feel it was necessary for them to have excess medications.

The Hylands Teething tablets are available anywhere, at Wal Mart they are by the pacifiers and are super cheap, like $4 for a whole bottle that lasts a long time. The work great and actually don't taste bad and don't hinder nursing at all.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches