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Mom Cautions Parents About Risks of Popular Teething Gel
A Virginia mother, Emily Parker, is making headlines after sharing a shocking incident involving her 15-month-old daughter, Ava, and a widely used teething gel. On February 26, Parker applied a small amount of Orajel’s nighttime teething gel to Ava’s gums, disregarding the dosage instructions on the packaging. Shortly after, her daughter experienced severe breathing difficulties.
“Within moments, Ava turned bright red, began kicking, and let out a couple of screams. Just 10-15 seconds after applying the gel, she became unresponsive,” Parker recounted in a post on her social media. “Her eyes locked in a vacant stare, and she went limp, turning blue.” In a panic, Parker performed back blows to revive her daughter while her partner called emergency services. “Thankfully, she regained consciousness and began to scream and cry again after what felt like an eternity,” Parker said. The paramedics who arrived on the scene checked Ava and confirmed she was stable.
While the outcome was fortunate, Parker’s experience has prompted her to caution other parents about the potential side effects of the product and the misleading marketing. Despite the instruction stating the gel is meant for children over the age of two, the product features a baby on the packaging and is displayed in baby sections at stores. “This is incredibly misleading, and the labeling should include a prominent warning or the product should be removed altogether,” she argued.
Further complicating matters, some online retailers, such as Walmart, suggest the product is suitable for infants “four months and older.” While Ava was 15 months, the packaging clearly indicates the use of the product for older children. Many parents, like Parker, have admitted to using medications outside the recommended age guidelines, often unaware of the severe consequences that can arise from such actions.
Since sharing her experience, Parker has been contacted by numerous parents who have had similar harrowing encounters with the same teething gel. “A lot of them used it for their babies, not realizing the associated risks,” she noted. Notably, the majority of teething typically occurs before the age of two, with WebMD stating that teething can begin as early as three months. “I wasn’t aware of this, but many others have shared similar experiences with Baby Orajel,” she added. “There are posts dating back to 2008 from parents recounting similar incidents—children becoming unresponsive in moments after using the product.”
Parker emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the risks of using this teething gel on young children. “I usually avoid sharing personal details about my children online, but I felt it was crucial to inform others about the dangers associated with using Baby Orajel Nighttime on kids under two,” she stated. For more insights on home insemination and parenting, check out our other blog posts at this link.
In summary, Emily Parker’s alarming experience with teething gel highlights the significant risks associated with ignoring dosage instructions. The gel, which has faced scrutiny for misleading marketing, poses serious dangers to infants and toddlers, as exemplified by Parker’s account. Parents are encouraged to adhere strictly to age recommendations and to remain vigilant about the products they use for their children. For authoritative guidance, resources like Make A Mom and CCRM IVF’s blog can provide valuable information.