Teething Question & Walking Question

Hello! I have been working with children for just over 6 years now and about my 3rd year, I heard about using vanilla. I tried it and it works!! Like everything, it worked better on some than others, but no one minded the taste.

Don't worry about the walking. It sounds like she just doesn't have the confidence to do it yet on her own. My older daughter was 19 months before she started walking independently. She just waited until she was good and ready. I was super worried but everyone, including her doctor, kept telling me she was fine, and she was. Just enjoy the cruising and hand-holding for now - it will be over before you know it!

I have three children 2,4,6. For the teething, the reason she suggested vanilla extract is because it has alcohol in it which numbs the gums. It has to be pure extract, not imitation, but I wouldn't recommend that any more than I would rubbing burbon on a child's gums (although it has been done).

Although I have not tried it, some friends of mine swear by carrots. They let their toddler just chew on the end of a large cold one...make sure you cut off the littlest end so they can't break it off and choke. Also ALWAYS supervise her if you try it, obviously.

I had very difficult teethers. I respect that you are trying to use more wholistic approaches, but there is something to be said for the overall health of your child when she is not in pain (pain can affect speech, desire to learn, attention span, etc). I rubbed Benedryl on my girls' gums as a topical, but there is nothing wrong with giving Tylenol and/or Motrin for those bad days. (My children have had no adverse affects from these medications...the oldest even skipped kindergarten)

As for the walking, Michelle seems to be doing everything right. The standing/cruising, all great. Some children are just later walkers. As long as it looks like she is developing her walking muscles properly and there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with her foot placement, etc. Don't worry about it. Just have her do "come to Mommy" exercises where she leaves the table or sofa and goes to you. Hold out her favorite toy or snack (bribing works well at this age) and have her come get it...giving a little cheer and a lot of praise when she get there. She will develop balance and more importantly, the confidence she needs to "let go" and take those steps by herself.

I believe that the vanilla that your friend gave her child had alcohol in it-an extract. This is probably what numbed the pain. I have reservations about giving infants alcohol. Many of the tricks you are using have worked for my kids, but they also enjoyed sucking on cold wet washcloths.

Roughly about 75% of infants will walk by age 15 months. The last quarter will will usually walk by 18 months. Your late bloomer may just need a little more time. It seems that she's getting around in her own way for now. If she isn't walking by 18 months, I would consult a pedi.

Good luck,
I.

I am not sure about the walking. Vanilla has an extremely high alcohol content and that is why it numbs the gums. Sounds kind of risky.

Bless her heart! I have never heard of using Vanilla Extract, but the alcohol in it would act as a numbing agent. It would be up to you to decide if you wanted to use it to ease your child's pain.

God bless!

I can't help with the teething, but the walking question brought back memories. My son was about 15 months before he finally started walking indepenedently. Like your daughter he was more than willing to cruise on furniture or walk with my help, but if he wanted to really get from point A to point B he did it on hands and knees. While I knew intellectually that not all kids reach the same milestones at the same time, I was beginning to stress. Then, one day I was sitting in the living room while my son played with a toy in the dining room--and suddenly he WALKED from the dining room through the living room into the hallway. There were none of those wobbly first steps that I've always seen before; he was walking like he'd been doing it for months. Turns out my son's just a perfectionist like his mom; when I related the story to my mom she told me I'd done the exact same thing. He was just waiting until he was completely sure with his technique, and then he let go and never looked back. It sounds like your daughter might be the same way. And yes, at almost 3 years old there are still days I wonder why I was in such a hurry to see him moving independently! :-) Hope this helps.

Hi there V. F,
Here in Germany, children who are teething are given an amber necklace to wear. It is a necklace made out of little bits of amber. I'm sure you can find it online, if not here is just one of the many links I found when I googled "amber teething necklace" http://www.teethingnecklace.com

My daughter fortunately had no pain with teething, just red cheeks and a runny nose! I hope you find this suggestion useful.

As for the walking, My daughter, who will be 2 in early March also cruised for the longest time. She started walking at 13 1/2 months. When she did start walking, what I found was useful was a small stroller toy that she could push around outside. I took the stroller toy with me everywhere (shopping centers, museums, the park), along with her real stroller, and let her push it along until she wanted to get back into her stroller. Make sure you get a small one that folds down so you can tuck it under her stroller when not being used.
You'll see, in no time she will be up and about on the road to independence!

I was born and raised on an Indian reservation, and have raised 4 children and have 12 grandchildren. Vanilla extract is great for any teeth proplems for young and old. It has to be pure vanilla extract, not the imitation. There are so many old home remedies that we used, because using a doctor was totally out of the question. Honey I hope this works.
God Bless

I've never heard of the vanilla thing. And it doesn't taste great. Just because it worked "way back when" doesn't mean it's ok. I would just ask your ped doc. Teething is just something they have to go through.

As for the walking, I wouldn't get too worked up about it. I think 18 mos. is when the docs start getting mildly concerned.

Just a quick comment on the walking. A trick I heard was instead of holding your daughters hand directly, hold on to either ends of a common object (maybe a small stuffed animal?), and then once you get her going, you let go (of the object). The idea is that she will still have the object in her hand and hopefully won't realize you've let go, and she'll be walking on her own.

Some parents find that rubbing a LITTLE pure vanilla extract on the baby's gums can soothe the crying child: this home remedy may work in three ways. First, merely rubbing baby's gums can ease the pain by creating opposite pressure; second, the alcohol in vanilla extract will create a warm sensation that is temporarily comforting. The third way this remedy may work is in the calming properties of vanilla itself. Vanilla is known as a soothing yet energizing agent that reduces anxiety and promotes feelings of well-being. Besides that, vanilla has long been used to cure stomach distress: a baby whose stomach is mildly upset from crying or swallowing large amounts of drool may find vanilla soothing to the tummy as well as the nerves.
Other natural remedies include herbs and oils, which can alleviate pain or help your baby calm down and get to sleep. One common remedy for the pain of toothache and teething is clove oil. Cloves contain oils that have warming, numbing properties, so that even holding a whole clove against a sore tooth with your tongue can ease the pain long enough to get to your dentist. Clove oil can be rubbed on sore gums to relieve pain, but only use a tiny amount: too much can upset your baby's stomach. Other homemade remedies include letting your infant chew on a natural licorice stick (the herb, not candy!) You can find natural licorice in health food stores: real licorice feels cool and also numbs the gums when your baby chews on it. Wild fennel, a relative of licorice, grows in disturbed areas in Northern California and other parts of the country: you may be able to harvest it yourself along the bike paths. The feathery, fern-like leaves and hollow stalks can be chewed or sucked for a cooling, licorice-tasting treat.

Walking: She's doing great! Keep up the good work Mama!

Sorry I'm no help on the teething question, but as for the walking, as long as she has achieved her other developmental milestones in the appropriate time frame, I wouldn't worry. If she hasn't started independently walking by 18 months, then you should bring it up with your pediatrician. My oldest child is very cautious and careful and didn't take her first independent steps til she was 15 months old.

I swear by hylands teething tablets! They are a homeopathic remedy and really do work!

As far as the teething goes, I don't have much on a suggestion for that. But, for the walking, my son didn't walk independently til he was 15 1/2 months old. That's actually when he took his first few steps, so even then it was hard for him. I know of several people that have babies that don't walk at 1. She'll get there, especially if she's cruising the furniture and all. Don't sweat it, cause like you said it will be before too long where you won't be able to sit down cause you'll be chasing her everywhere.
Hang in there! :)

I don't know about the vanilla, but two things that I have tried that were very helpful are the Hylands Teething Tablets, a homeopathic remedy that you should be able to find in most health food stores or Whole Foods. The other thing is Lavender essential oil applied directly to the gums. Just put one drop on your finger and rub on the gums. Generally essential oils are not applied directly to skin like this, but this is one exception.

Vanilla extract is very high in alcohol. I would not give it to a baby.

Are you SURE that it is the teething that is the problem?

I baught either pedialite pops, or pop ice for my son----Instant relief.

First let me say I know what you are going through. M 16 month old little girl has decided to cut four back teeth all at once. My grandmother told me something when my oldest was teething and I did it and I have done it with my youngest as well and it really works. Let her chew on a green onion. Dont know why it numbs their little gums but it works and even the pedi told me to do it. So give it a try.

hahahaha it's really not the vanilla, it's the alcohol in the extract...my grandmother use to use whisky! Just rough it out with some tylenol. It won't be too long before she's doing better.

Don't worry about the walking thing! I know how you feel, my son who is 22 months now, didn't start walking until he was almost 19 months. He did all the things your daughter is doing, and he just needed to do things on his own time. I know how you feel, that it doesn't always help to hear that other babies walked late when you hear all these other people saying how early their babies did walk... but all I can tell you there, is it truly is OK and because she is standing up and can physically walk-even if it is holding onto something- she is and will be just fine. Enjoy her at this stage and look forward to her first steps... :) ~ J.*

Yeah, teething is no fun, for our children or us. I have used the Hyland's teething tablets with both of my girls, and they seem to work sometimes, but there are different levels of teething pain. I have never heard of anyone using vanilla extract, although it does make sense seeing its alcohol content. Many people, especially of the older generation, swear by rubbing a little whiskey or rum on the gums. Vanilla is definitely more apealing. As long as you're only rubbing it on the gums don't worry about the alcohol content, it's in oragel, too. Both of my daughters also LOVED chomping on a warm, damp cloth. Also, they liked chewing on a vibrating toothbrush when the molars were coming in. You could use vibrating teethers, but they're difficult to find, a little expensive, and they have to be chomped on pretty hard to activate. So needless to say, when your baby's jaws get tired, the teether quits.
As for her walking, don't worry about it yet. She sounds to be developing just fine, she's just not confident to go off on her own yet. You said that she's pulling herself up on everything, but can she stand up on her own from sitting yet? Once she can do that she'll be off in no time. Just keep on being supportive & encouraging, and she'll be at it soon enough.

Ok, a wet/bit cold but not frozen washcloth works wonders! she may walk around a bit wet, but the point is to have her bite down and push those puppies through! teething tablets have always worked on all four of mine. a little rub of rum never hurt either. if she is just out of control screaming, push down on the area where the teeth are coming in and it will help with pain.

Walking- all mine have walked at different times and even when everyone looked at the bowed legs and said oh my gosh, they straightened up by themselves. if she is progressively moving, like doing something better and getting the walking thing going just slow, dont worry! if she is not making progression then talk to a pediatrician. I am an older mom too, ask anything...

L.