Around the age of 6 months to 2 years old, a child will start teething.
For some children, this can be very painful, and as a parent it can be hard to see our children in pain. If you would like to use something natural and safe to support your baby and child through teething, then Homeopathy is worth your time.
Below are some homeopathic remedies to consider for teething and some simple strategies for discomfort and pain associated with teething, I've also included the link to a YouTube video by CHE which is full of helpful information and ways to identify which homeopathic remedy might be the best fit for your child's situation.
Strategies to use at home to help relieve mild teething pain could include:
- Chewing on chilled teething rings.
- If infant is over six months old, try offering them a sugar free teething biscuit or unsweetened rusk. It is also preferable to avoid foods that are too hard as these could bruise the gums and cause further pain.
- Lightly massaging the baby’s gum with a clean finger for one to two minutes can help in alleviating the discomfort. Teething gels massaged into the gums can also provide relief.
- A little extra tender loving care goes a long way when infant is having a hard time teething. If the child gets distressed, hugs and cuddles will help comfort and reassure if they are distressed. Distract the child from the pain with activities such as reading, singing or playing.
Chamomilla: This is the first remedy to consider, unless some other remedy is obviously indicated. The child is extremely irritable and impatient. They demand something and then refuse it when it is offered. Aggravated by being touched, and nothing seems to give them relief, though rocking and being carried temporarily quiets them. They put their fingers in their mouth to relieve the pain. One cheek hot and red (usually the side the tooth is coming through on), and the other cheek is pale. Thirsty, wanting to drink often. Restless at night, tossing about. Limbs may twitch while sleeping. Startling from the slightest noise. Loose stools, often green coloured.
Belladonna: Screams in pain and bites their hands. Flushing of the face and a feeling of heat (feverish and flushed). Child is angry, irritable, restless, easily startled, and may tend to cry out during sleep.
Calc carb: The child appears chubby with a light complexion. The infant begins teething late (after twelve months). The head perspires during teething, and the child tends to grind their teeth at night. Usually puts their fingers in mouth to try to relieve the pain. Sweat, stools, and vomit will all have a sour smell. Useful where there is delayed development of not only the teeth, but of the bones in general – such as slowness of the fontanelle (the soft spot at the top of the head) to close.
Calc phos: This remedy is for thin, even emaciated, infants who are slow in learning to walk, delayed in teething (after twelve months), and in general are slow starters. They are prone to diarrhoea with much flatulence during teething.
Aconite: Extreme pain with great anxiety, restlessness, and, often, inflamed gums. The child may rub their gums with their fist to try to alleviate the pain. Worse for cold air or cold drinks.
Kreosote: Child is restless, agitated, capricious; nothing satisfies them. Very inflamed, spongy, or bleeding gums. Severe pain.
Coffea: Child is very excitable and unable to sleep. Slight fever with alternating moods from fretful to very lively and happy.
Silica: Slow development of teeth. Sweaty neck and head. Child is timid but stubborn.
A helpful video all about teething produced by CHE and Marcus Fernandez:
https://youtu.be/jEhCAX9HrUc
I hope this information has been helpful, as always seek medical advice if you have concerns about your child's symptoms.