I have graduated!!!  Save the congrats though, they will not be necessary. My boy just started teething. Its so sad to see his face. He wants to be happy, he really does but everytime he remembers the pain he’s fussing and crying and drooling and just losing it.. my poor boy .

When it started, I ran to my 24 hour drugstore and got the numbing gum gel. I have to admit, it was funny seeing the look on his face when I applied it and he realized he lost feeling in his mouth. He was happy again. I put some in my mouth too so I knew how he felt.. my conclusion? Numb. We survived the next 4 hours, but at one of our bi-hourly (I just made that word up) feedings last night, I researched the active ingredient in this numbing gel. It is called benzocaine and  guess what? After reading the FDA’s warning, it went IN THE TRASH… Here is what you should know;

“[04-07-2011] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public that the use of benzocaine, the main ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) gels and liquids applied to the gums or mouth to reduce pain, is associated with a rare, but serious condition. This condition is called methemoglobinemia and results in the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream being greatly reduced. In the most severe cases, methemoglobinemia can result in death.”

Alternative? YES! I called my sister in law who shops at Trader Joe’s exclusively, drinks soy milk, has her local vegetables delivered from a farm and has two of the most amazing boys reared in this ‘organic’ way. She immediately directed me to Whole Foods. At Whole Foods you will find Camilia homeopathic remedy for teething. They are little vials that you squeeze into baby’s mouth and truly, withing minutes he is A.OK… I am so grateful for this. Please use this over the deadly benzocaine, which, by the way,commonly affects children under 2. Camilia is the safer way to soothe your cherub and feel good about it.