How to cope with teething WITHOUT Calpol

[Curlysoo]

Hi, possibly as a part of a baby massage session I was wondering if anyone has heard of a more "holistic" way of dealing with teething and it's obvious discomforts... I recently caught the tail end of a conversation at a play group, I didn't have time to ask the mother in question for more details as the session was ending but I have been completely intrigued ever since. I understand that there are certain pressure points on the hands (possibly on the finger tips) and on the feet that when rubbed or massaged can help to alleviate the pain of teething...

Has anyone heard of this or are my wires utterly criss-crossed? If not, does it work?

All I know is there is a powder called teetha that you can get off the shelf from large chemists that you rub onto the gums it's in the homeopathic (sp?) section.

Pressing down on the big toe nail is the pressure point for teething. We were told this at our baby massage class.

My HV is really into altenative stuff so also suggested it as well as Nelsons Teetha Powders. The powders are to be used without any other medicine as they encourage the body to produce its own painkillers. You just empty the little pack into the mouth and keep doing so throughout the day not exceeding doseage - my HV said every hour in day or something. You have to use regularly as it needs to get into their system.

We did use them at first and they used to calm DD down but really now we alternate calpol and brufen as its the only way.

HTH

Thanks so much for this, I do remember that a "teething powder" sachet was mentioned at a baby yoga class I went to but I never did get the actual name of the product so again thanks for this I will look for it asap... in the meantime I will try the pressure point option, do you know how effective this is? I had to try various massage techniques for my little man's colic issues before I found anything that helped.

Ashton & Parsons powders are great. Very effective.

I'll second Ashton & Parsons. They are 100% Chamomile and they calmed and soothed my lo's down brilliantly.

Soak wholemeal toast crusts in breast milk and bake in a slow cool oven - some babies enjoy just grinding the gums against them.

I have even heard frozen bagels are good.

Big thick pieces of carrot chilled in the fridge.

Anything to grind against that is cool, large and safe.

They don't actually eat them btw....

We are trying an amber teething necklace (from Amazon). I was a bit but it does seem to make him happy and makes the drooling stop!

He also likes gnawing on the gel-like baby toothbrushes that you can buy in Waitrose.

And in extreme circs, a dab of whiskey on the gums.