Emily recounted the terrifying ordeal on her social media account: “Ava immediately turned red, began to kick, let out a couple of screams, and within 10-15 seconds of applying the gel, she was unresponsive. Her eyes were vacant, she went limp, and her skin turned blue.” In a frantic response, Emily attempted to rouse Ava by gently hitting her back before initiating CPR while her partner dialed 911. Thankfully, Ava regained consciousness after a brief 15-20 seconds, much to the relief of her parents. Emergency medical technicians later assessed her condition and confirmed she was stable.
While the outcome was fortunate, Emily is now on a mission to inform others about the potential dangers associated with this product and the misleading nature of its marketing. “The instructions state it’s for children aged two and older, yet the packaging features a baby and is displayed in the baby aisle,” she pointed out. “This is incredibly misleading and should be clearly labeled with a warning or removed from store shelves entirely.”
Additionally, some online retailers, such as Target, incorrectly suggest this product for infants as young as four months. Although Ava was 15 months old, the age recommendations can be easily overlooked by parents, who often resort to medications out of desperation, believing teething gels to be harmless.
Emily noted that since sharing her experience, numerous parents have reached out to express gratitude for the warning or to share similar experiences. “Many parents purchased this product for their infants, completely unaware of the associated risks,” she remarked.
According to health experts, teething typically occurs before the age of two, with most infants beginning the process between three and twelve months. Emily discovered online discussions dating back to 2008 where parents reported comparable experiences, with their children becoming unresponsive after using Baby Orajel. She also learned that the FDA cautions against the use of Benzocaine, the active ingredient in Baby Orajel, for infants.
Although Emily prefers not to share intricate details about her children on social media, she felt it was imperative to raise awareness about the hazards linked to using this teething gel on children under two. Those interested in more information on parenting and home insemination can check out Make a Mom. For a more comprehensive understanding of pregnancy, visit WomensHealth.gov, which is an excellent resource. Furthermore, for those seeking authoritative insights into the topic, check out Intracervical Insemination.
In summary, Emily’s cautionary tale serves as a crucial reminder for parents to always follow dosage guidelines and be aware of the potential risks associated with teething gels marketed for infants.