Help...I'm In Teething Hell

As I write this my baby is having a hard teething afternoon as her top tooth is coming in. It is really frustrating because she is crying all the time unless in my arms or in a carrier.

To back track a little bit, August has had many sleepless nights because she is teething. We now have 1 tooth in and 2 more that just popped through. Teething is hard work for the whole family. I remember people telling my partner and I that it would get much easier once our baby turned 3-4 months. It was true- she generally slept pretty well and I felt I was coping so well.

But then teething started. Teething has not been a few bad days when they are coming through but a slow and steady process. At six months old, she began to more actively teethe. It’s hard. Serious sleep deprivation returned and it’s really hard to watch your baby be in such pain.

There are things you can do to help your baby through teething. This is what has worked for us:

1. Homeopathy! Yes, it might be surprising to most of you that I am telling you how great Homeopathy is for teething. LOL! The Homeopathic remedy Chamomilla works wonders when Chaya is screaming a lot, I can’t put her down without crying and she wants to be carried all of the time. It is also indicated if your baby has one red cheek and spinach-green stools.
2. Frozen wet cloths for the baby to suck on..
3. Cold watermelon rinds. Obviously only use these if your baby has started solids. My Homeopath recommended them and they are amazing. Also keep an eye on your baby while the suck on these for extra safety.
4. Wear Your Baby: If your baby is irritable and weepy and needs some extra love including to be held more often, try putting them in your favourite baby carrier. They can smell you and feel comforted from being so close to you. The side benefit is that it frees up your hands which allows you to get things done.
5. Take More Naps: If teething disturbs your baby’s sleep, it will cause you to feel as tired as when they were an itty-bitty newborn. Let the chores go and take naps with them as often as possible.
6. Pain Relief: We started using Baby Tempura for the last two teeth that came in at once. All of these other measures helped, but I felt she needed extra pain relief. And it has helped. If you are worried about giving your baby an over-the-counter medication, we give her a half-dose only when it is needed.
7. Stay away from Orajel: You can buy these products at your local drug store. They numb the baby’s gums with benzocaine. There is a danger that your baby will swallow some and it will numb their throat. It is also associated with a rare auto-immune blood disorder. The side effects are so serious that the FDA recently issued a warning.

And don’t forget that Homeopathy can help with teething by reducing pain and irritability, by improving moods, by helping associated changes like diarrhea, green stools and fevers; and it can even help in cases when your baby begins teething very late. And most importantly, it is the gentlest and safest type of natural medicine for your baby.

The Backlash Against Attachment Parenting

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a young child or really are just breathing, you have heard all about Time Magazine's latest provocative article on attachment parenting featuring a young, slim, very attractive white woman breastfeeding her 3-year old.  Beyond the fact that the child looks uncomfortable, I found this very interesting.

Before you step into the place of reaction, we should just acknowledge that this cover was meant to create a controversy.  Let's all breathe.  What I find fascinating is that the American mainstream media is suddenly focussing on attachment parenting as a divisive parenting philosophy and even going to the extent of presenting it as extreme parenting.  In addition, several months ago actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik was on the television show 'the view' to discuss her practice of attachment parenting.  The segment was labelled "controversial" and "extreme".

Pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears did not invent attachment parenting.  He certainly presented the main philosophies to the West.  He basically packaged a set of parenting practices that have been around for a long time all over the world.

What is Attachment Parenting?

Attachment parenting is derived from attachment theory which basically says that the bond between parent(s) and child during the first few years of life go on to impact the rest of that child's life.  The idea is basically by being open to who your baby/child is and how the feel; and responding appropriately, you create an even stronger bond with your baby/child thus making them feel more secure.  At www.askdrsears.com, attachment parenting is described in the following way;

"Attachment means that a mother and baby are in harmony with each other. Being in harmony with your baby is one of the most fulfilling feelings a mother can ever hope to have. Watch a mother and baby who are attached (in harmony) with each other. When the baby gives a cue, such as crying or facial expressions, signifying a need, the mother, because she is open to the baby's cues, responds."


Attachment parenting also involves several parenting behaviours such as prolonged breastfeeding, co-sleeping and baby-wearing.

As a new mother, I talk to a lot of other parents.  I don't think there is a huge controversy, as the American media would imply, around attachment parenting.  There doesn't seem to be a debate at all.  Most of us are on a continuum with how much and for how long we breastfeed, co-sleep and wear our babies.  Most new mothers especially seem to want to breastfeed for some time and many co-sleep for a time as well.  As new parents, we feel guilty (this seems to be part of being a parent) sometimes that we aren't doing enough for our children.  I certainly can't live up to that image of a skinny, beautiful woman still breastfeeding her child.

I strive every day to make sure the bond between me and my baby is strong.  I believe in breastfeeding, co-sleeping and baby-wearing.  This doesn't mean that I wear my baby all of the time and never put her down.  Nor does it necessarily mean that I will breastfeed her until she is 3 or 4.  I am trying to parent her by intuition- by keeping open to her needs and my needs and coming up with a solution that works for both of us.

I believe every parent wants to do the best for their children.  This means making decisions that are the best for each family.  The most wonderful thing about attachment parenting is that is all about connecting with your baby.  The practices of attachment parenting are simply just ways to promote this.
And many of these philosophies are just practical.  Wearing your baby allows the parent more freedom and the ability to get tasks done around the house or to go out without needing to take a huge stroller all of the time.  Co-sleeping also has benefits for the breastfeeding mother/parent when done safely in that no one has to actually get out of bed for nighttime feedings.  It also minimizes crying in that the breastfeeding parent can usually anticipate when their baby will wake.  This is the glorious sensitivity of the mother to her baby.  It is a beautiful thing.

So, you don't have to be an extreme follower of attachment parenting.  You can pick and choose what works for you and your family.  You can breastfeed for 1 year instead of 3.  You can co-sleep for a few months before moving your baby to a crib.  Most of all, just spend the time to connect to your baby.  After all, aren't our children the most precious thing in our lives?  We should devote the time and care to make them feel as nurtured, supported and secure as we can.

Rebecca Gower is a Homeopath, Reiki Practitioner, new Mom and survivor of infertility.  She specializes in supporting women and couples through infertility and pregnancy. She practices in the Annex in Toronto, Ontario.  She can be reached at 647-688-8290; by e-mail at redpearlhomeopathy@gmail.com; on the web at www.redpearlhomeopathy.com.  You can also follow her on twitter at redpearlhomeo.