A Holistic Approach to Teething Essentials
Are you a new parent wondering why your happy, peaceful, calm baby has turned restless, irritable, drooly, clingy and impossible to get to sleep? Here comes the teething symptoms. No one tells you that teething is very disturbing to your little one’s systems. Why?
According to Chinese medicine, teething is associated with an excess of yang energy in the body. Yang is characterized by heat, action and growth. In Meridian theory, the Large Intestine channel runs through the lower gums, and the Stomach channel passes through the upper gums.
When you consider both where the channels go, as well as this excess heat in the body, it makes sense that teething can often be associated with digestive issues in your baby, such as constipation, because the heat dries the body fluids.
It can also be associated with irritability, unrest, and difficulty sleeping.
We were in the teething trenches beginning at 4 months, if you are there now, here are our tried-and-true holistic solutions for this season of your little one’s life.
Chamomile tea - Brew some fresh chamomile tea, put it in the fridge and let your baby suck on a muslin cloth. We like these muslin cloths because they are affordable and no chance of lint or fabric coming off into baby’s mouth. The cold tea is very soothing to gum’s and chamomile is a known digestive aid. Teapigs is a great brand because it is whole flowers and very potent.
Teeth Tamer Tincture - Catnip has a very calming effect to help with restlessness and disturbed sleep. Clove is known to calm inflammation or irritation in gums. This tincture honestly helped us through the very tiring, very exhaustive first two teeth our daughter got. Earthley Wellness also has a “Feel Better Fast” formula that works great for colds and upset tummies. We recommend getting both tinctures for your home holistic toolkit.
Baltic Essentials Anklets - Crystals come from the Earth. The Earth is a very powerful healing modality that is usually free and easy to access. Ever experienced the benefits of simply grounding? Amber releases comfort from pain enzyme when placed on the skin. Rose Quartz is known for promoting peace and comfort. The Amber and Rose Quartz anklet is on our daughter often and especially through the night when the symptoms were highest. Anklet’s are kept out of reach by placing socks on baby - so overnight wear was never a problem for us.
Mesh Feeder and freezer tray - Breastmilk is very comforting to your baby, when frozen it can add relief to swollen or inflamed gums. We found doing this moderately was most helpful because too much cold can actually disturb baby’s digestive fires. Offering a “breastmilk pop” is best in the morning or lunchtime when digestive fires are highest.
Lots of Love and Cuddles - No affiliate link here. They are free and probably the most important during this transition in your baby’s life. Your baby doesn’t know why they don’t feel very good or cannot sleep. All we can do is offer our love and space to help them through this difficult time. Holistic remedies help.
Peace to you and your family during your teething journey.
Here’s to holistic,
Megan and David
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