How save Is Baby Tylenol?

Updated on October 29, 2008
M.C. asks from Sheffield Lake, OH
42 answers

Hello ladies, I have a 14 week old healthy baby girl. She is teething already. It is miserable! My little angel has turned into a little monster! She is so fussy my life has become miserable, especially at night. Evenings seem to be the worst. She hates the teething ring. I try not to medicate her because I am paranoid about side effects and I would die if something bad happened to her. I got baby Tylenol and only gave it to her once when she got her first shots. She was fine and nothing bad happened. Now with the teething I think maybe I should give it to her again as she is obviousley miserable. But how safe is it really? Have any of you had any bad experiences with it? How often did you use it? Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you so very much to all the mothers that responded to me! I got the Hylands teething tablets so many of you suggested. I also feel better about using the Tylenol when she really needs it, and I did call the doctor and he said it was fine. Thanks again! It is nice to know so many women care and help each other out! You are all wonderful.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I second those teething tablets. They work great! But I also have no problem giving my kids medicine.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Actually, there's no evidence that Tylonal helps with teething, especially with babies. Get Hyland's teething tablets and Orajel.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Cleveland on

Give it to her. She will be fine. My daughter did the best on Children's Motrin, it helps with sweling as well.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

Baby Tylenol is as safe as any other medication. I used to swing between Tylenol and Motrin for children when mine were little. You can give Tylenol and 3 hours later use Motrin for fevers, pain reliever, etc., on very young children without side effects or other medical problems.
My parents used baby asprin on all of us, drank coffee, smoked, etc. while pregnant and most of us are in our 50's and 60's now with not so many problems. We have become terrorized to use any of the medications I gave my children without thinking because of a few cases of problems.
Step back and take a breath. Let common sense prevail, if it was that dangerous to use it wouldn't be sold over the counter.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Cleveland on

It is the safest thing out there for little ones but that doesn't mean use it all day everyday. I use it only on an absolute need basis and try not to give it to her more than a couple times a day. I have 5 children and have used it for them all with no side affects what so ever. But like I said, I only give it when I have tried everything else and nothing else will work. Good luck with the teething!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.I.

answers from South Bend on

Tylenol is safe to use for your daughter. I used tylenol with all of my kids and they never had anything bad happen. There were no bad reactions or anything. Another thing you can use is motrin for infants. Motrin (ibuprofin) sometimes works better for some kids. Tylenol is recommended if your child has an upset stomach, because ibuprofin can cause further upset of the stomach. Go ahead and use the tylenol as directed or call her pediatrician first, and see what dose he or she recommends. Recently, some studies have found that the dosage on the packages can be a little bit high. Although they are not to the point to where it would cause any health issues. I would recommend speaking to her pediatrician or a pharmacist. A pharmacist will most likely tell you the same thing as the pediatrician.

D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Cleveland on

She is really young to be teething, so maybe a trip to the doc to make sure it is nothing else would be a good copay spent. It could e soemthing simple as gas or her formula (or breastmilk), but it is good to rule everything else out. My son was not into the teething ring, he is now getting his two year molars.
You can't, like some other people mentioned, use motrin on a baby younger than 6 months. However Tylenol is safe, JUST MAKE SURE TO USE THE RIGHT DOSE! Do not overdose her and be cognizant of the 4 hour time frame.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from South Bend on

Nothing bad is going to happen to your little girl from giving her tylenol every 4 hours or even baby motrin (which I have found was a more effective pain reliever for teething than tylenol was for my boys). Hylands teething tablets are also a very good natural pain reliever that dissolve under their tongue. Dr. Hands teething lotion also works wonderful. I would definitely give that poor girl something ~ teething really sucks for little ones!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from Cleveland on

I am an RN and have a 2yr old and a 5 month old, as well as a wonderful pediatrician. It is better for you to try Baby Orajel or a product like that then using the tylenol. Your baby can build up a tolerance to the tylenol as well as there are studies(in adults) that long term chronic usage can effect the liver. Other things I tried were the Gerber mouth and gum cleaner and it comes with a fingertip cover. The fingertip cover soothes and also gives them something to chew on. But talk to your pediatrician and they might be able to give you other ideas.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

It is interesting that you ask this today because the new show "The Dr.'s) discussed this very same thing on TV yesterday. I have never had any bad experiences with tylenol, advil, motrin, etc. on any of my 3. The dr reassured everyone that he feels it is still safe to use, and that he would continue to use on his own baby. They make tylenol for infants with a dropper. Just follow the dosing instructions. It sounds like your girl is teeting early like mine did, and you will need that Tylenol! Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Cleveland on

Ask your pediatrician or the nurse in the office. We did and still use the infants and childrens tylenol - we just don't use any of the tylenol cold or any cold medicines per the pediatrician. The tylenol will especially help with teething and sleeping while teething. I think we only gave our girls tylenol at night while they were teething (they are so much more sensitive at night becuase they don't have anything else occupying their time, so the pain from teething is in full force) and we used orajel during the daytime hours.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.M.

answers from Columbus on

Hey M.! I am a mother of five... and this may sound like a commercial but... I survived with tylenol still to this day. lol. Just know that when she gets older your pediatrician should let you know that you should alternate with tylenol and IBprofin. That is so that it actually works and they don't get amune to one or the other.
I went through many stages of teething. I kept tylenol close and mylacon drops closer...lol. My kids are very beautiful and healthy! Also... I am not sure but I read something sometime that said how orejel was not good for teething.. it just covers up the pain and pushes the teeth back into the gums instead of coming out like they are supposed to. so i have never given mine orejel. And you should just give a call to ur doc. to make sure everything is ok. but i don't agree with your baby is too young too be teething...one of my children was born with teeth..2 of them. and the others all teethed at different ages some very young. Hope this helps.
GOD BLESS!
N. moore

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Lafayette on

until she turns 6months old you can't use motrin, it slows the kidney function down & in some babies it has been known to stop them all together resulting in kidney failure. given too high a dose of tylenol can be just as harmful, once it breaks down in the liver it turns into cyanide. with my kids i only gave a small dose of tylenol at nighttime if they were in too much pain to sleep, i used home remedies during the day to ease their pain. they are old enough now so i don't have to buy tylenol anymore, you can go to the website PDRHealth.com and it gives you information on OTC/prescription/herbal medicines as well as home remedies. god be with you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.O.

answers from Cincinnati on

I think you should ask your pediatrition before giving tylenol to a baby so young. Tylenol didn't help my kids at all. Motrin seems to help their pain better, but maybe that's just an individual thing.
I am completely AGAINST alternating tylenol and ibouprofen/motrin! It is recommended because when you take one pain reliever for awhile, your body gets accustomed to it and feels pain again. So you take another pain reliever to block the pain for awhile until your body becomes accustomed to that, then switch again. Really a bad way to block pain, as it can cause one to have very low pain tolerance later on. If you do use tylenol, I would only use it at nap and bedtimes.
We LOVE Hylands teething tablets! I often give teething tablets at bedtime, or just cammomile tea or cammomile tablets (from a health food store). It helped more than anything!
I used orajel when my kids were under a year, and it helped with pain, but it numbed thier mouths and it made nursing or bottle feeding very difficult!
My kids weren't big on teethers, but love to suck on cold wet washcloths when teething.
Stick your finger in her mouth and feel for hard swollen gums to be sure it's teething.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

I work in a hospital NICU, and we give Tylenol for circs and immunizations, and mild pain medicine as needed. You don't want to give more than 5 doses a day, and can give it every 4-6 hours, but not every 4 hours because that would be 6 doses a day. If you give too much tylenol, you can cause liver damage. That is why you don't want more than 5 doses a day. Call your ped to find out how much to give.
Good luck with your precious little girl.
R.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.G.

answers from Columbus on

I have found it to be pretty safe, but you should talk to her DR.about this, 14 weeks is early to be teething.But my Great niece was born with a baby tooth half way in.There are many products other than tylonol to use.Try a health food store, my youngest sister 22 years apart we are, well she was miserable and my step mom kept giving her baby tylonol all it did was knocked her out.So I went to the health food store and they had this like 1 ounce bottle of something all natural one drop on her gums and rubbed in and she was out of pain and not fussy any longer.I do believe it had clove oil in it and other natural stuff.She did slobber a bit but thats what bibs are for.Good luck and Congrats on your beautiful baby girl.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Fort Wayne on

My son is teething as well and we freely use tylenol when we think he is in pain. When he was younger I was hesitant to medicate him, but the drs. office assured me it was fine to use. They told us the ammount we should use according to what he weighed. I did hear one place that orajel reduces their gagging reflux, so I've actually been more hesitant to use that than tylenol. Good luck with the teething!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi M..
I don't think Baby Tylenol will hurt your little girl. I'd make sure you give her the correct amount. If you're not sure on the dose, call your pediatrician's office and they'll be glad to help. I started giving baby tylenol to my kids before their immunizations and also for teething. I just use my discretion with when they need it (but never sooner than every 4 hours). If I can, I usually wait until just before nap and bedtimes to give it to them. If they needed it during the day, I'd just make sure it wouldn't be too soon for another dose when they went to bed. I don't want them to be in pain, but I don't want to always medicate them either. I find that Baby Ibuprofren works better, but you have to wait until your daughter is 6 months old before she gets that. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi its tuff being a first time mommy I'm one myself. I gave my son tylenol at that age and still give it to him if he is sick. But for teething I gave him teething tablets you can fine them at walgreens or CVS. They work

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

You don't want to give Tylenol continuously. I would say for something like teething give your little girl infant motrin (ibuprofen). It is safe and you don't have to worry about cumulative effects. However, if you find you are tempted to give Motrin every day talk to her doctor. The teething symptoms should not occur every day.

My doctor told me to try frozen bagels, washcloths, etc. for our little guys--I had very mixed results. Hang in there!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.N.

answers from Columbus on

we found with all four of our kids tylenol wasokay for teething but there is a homepathic gel you can give them (found at health food stores and on the grocery shelf in baby section and also at GNC I believe) It is like magic and you can not overdose so, when they need more, you can give it to them. It is not like oragel where they loose feeling in their mouth which is dangerous as well..... it just makes everything better with out any risks to kidneys, liver etc. Check it out ( Sorry i foget the name)
R

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Cleveland on

hi,
i am the same way with giving medicines to my daughter. i would try hyland's teething tablets. many mom's swear by them. there are also other brands of natural/homeopathic teething tabs out there. if that doesn't work then i would try the tylenol. good luck and hang in there!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Canton on

I've never had a problem giving it to my girls. You may want to look at infant motrin. It's for younger babies than tylenol is. I learned that after my kids had tylenol, so I can't say how motrin is, but either is fine to give to your baby. zwhen I gave it for teething, my daughter would wake up when it wore off, and I'd have to soothe her back to sleep. Good luck with the teething.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.N.

answers from Columbus on

One other mom mentioned that 14 weeks is very young to be teething. Are you absolutely sure that she is teething? Could it be an ear infection? They can cause the drooling and crying also. Either way Tylenol will help with the pain. Read the directions and dose according to weight, not age. If you have any questions, call your dr. Hylands Teething Tablets are the best teething remedy that I have used. You can buy them at WalMart. The effect is almost immediate and they are perfectly safe. You can even use them with Tylenol. We used them together at night, the teething tablets worked immediately to help her go to sleep and the Tylenol lasted for a few hours, to help her get some rest. Good luck. Teething is no fun, but the little toothy smile, is so sweet!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.H.

answers from Cleveland on

I have had 3 children and now have 2 grandchildren and have never had any problems with tylenol. My grandson that lives with me get tylenol about every 4 hours because he is teething too. It helps when he is hurting. My son was so sick one winter that the dr had me giving him tylenol then 2 hours later motren. back and forth ever two hours. i'm not a big fan of motren but tylenol I don't have a problem with and i am the type that wont take any pills unless i have no choice.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Cleveland on

Just follow the dosing chart based on her weight. Call your doctor if you're not sure of her weight. I used baby oragel at well to help with teething pain.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.E.

answers from Cincinnati on

Of course the right ammount is important, but Tylenol has been around forever and is perfectly ok....doctor's wouldn't recommend it and you wouldn't be able to buy it over the counter if it weren't. I always tried to hold off as long as possibe because I felt bad medicating, but then by the time her fussiness was "bad" it seemed like I should have given it to her sooner. I do use the Hyland's teething tabs which are WONDERFUL!!! You don't have to try to stick your finger in her mouth and get all of her gums (like with orajel). Instead, you place these tablets in her mouth (which taste good) and they dissolve and numb her whole mouth! So easy. My little girl (1 yr now) opens her mouth when she sees what I have for her.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from Cleveland on

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you know your babies weight before giving any medicine. This is the key in preventing an overdose of any medicine. A little baby tylenol here and there will not hurt her as long as you are dosing the tylenol properly according to your babies weight. Please keep this in mind with any medicine and please don't guess at her weight.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Evansville on

Hi M.!

My first baby started teething at 2 mo.with his first tooth fully emerged by 4 mo. We used Tylenol w/o a problem. (He's almost 27 now.) We also put our babies' teethers in the freezer just long enough to get them really cold to slushy, not solid, and our boys seemed to enjoy that. I've heard that orajel also works, but I would have no worries about the Tylenol. I have used children's Motrin and had no problems with my boys with it either, however, there are more side effects to motrin than to Tylenol, as I understand. Good luck! For us with our first baby, teething was a continuous and ongoing problem. He had 8 teeth at 9 mo. and 14 teeth in his little mouth at 15 mo. He was extremely ahead on getting his teeth in early. Hopefully, your little one grows the teeth in a bit more slowly. It makes life a bit easier for you and for your baby.

Carol B

D.S.

answers from Columbus on

I think its pretty safe as long as you read the directions carefully and you follow the recomended dosage; however, to be in the safe side you can call your pediatriatian's office and talk to a nurse about it, you don't have to go in for an appointment.
Also, remember there are other things that you can rub in your childs gums so it kind of numbs it, as well as those rings that you put in the refrigerator to get cold and she can bite them, also to numb it.
NO Motrin until after 6 months I think.
Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Columbus on

I've been doing this parenting thing for 25 years, with several years as a foster mother to newborns. I've never had a problem with baby Tylenol. I also like peppermint tea, cooled and sweetened a little in a bottle. Babies love the taste, it calms them, settles upset stomach, unclogs achy ears, and brings up gas. You can find peppermint tea in the grocery aisle with the regular teas.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

I understand your hesitation and respect that you don't want to over medicate your child, but in my experience and to my knowledge Tylenol is very safe. Follow your doctor's recommendations about the dosage, which should be based on her weight not her age. Giving less than recommended does not make it safer, only less effective so be sure to call them to get the correct dosage if they didn't already give that to you. I worked in day care for several years, have raised my 2 (soon to be 3) children as well as my nieces and have never experienced anything negative as a result of infant or children's tylenol. 14 weeks is pretty early for teething, though not unheard of, so if she doesn't improve in a few days you may want to schedule an appointment to make sure she's not experiencing an ear infection or something more serious causing her to be miserable. I would be cautious about ibuprofen - I don't think is recommended until 6 months of age, though that may have changed - there is more side effects (upset stomach) with ibuprofen like Motrin and Advil.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.

answers from Cleveland on

I use both Tylenol and motrin for our children, sometimes both if the teething is bad enough. It "seems" to me as if Tylenol works faster but Motrin lasts longer. Tylenol you can give every 4 hours. Motrin is every 8 so we would give him Tylenol 1-2 hours before bedtime, then motrin at bedtime. You need to check with your pediatricain for the dosage amount based on your baby's weight. It seems as if my son lived on Motrin for a while because his teething was so bad. He is just fine, no problems.

Good Luck,

C

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I don't like to medicate my baby either but I do give him baby tylenol(and have since his first round of shots)He started teething around 5 months and was a bear, so whenever he's getting shots or teething I give him some and it doesn't seem to hurt. He really only needs it for a day or two, usually until his fever goes away, then he chews and chews and chews but doesn't really get quite as crabby. He's 15 months now, didn't like the stuff at first but now when we go to give it to him he opens right up. My guess is that it makes him feel better and he knows it.The only thing I would say is use it sparingly, we only give it when he seems to need it, not every 4 hours.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.K.

answers from Toledo on

Hi M.! My little girl is about the same age and she too started teething VERY early! I do give her tylenol because it is safe but I don't do it on a 4 hour schedule. Instead it's as needed which ends up being more like 5 or 6 hours and truthfully most days she only ends up needing it in the evenings. I also give a slightly lower dose (just under). She's little and I too don't really like the thought of giving her meds but I've realized that it does help her which in turn makes her more comfortable. I also highly recommend rubbing it with your finger or letting her naw on your nuckle. Brianna also wont use a teething ring, I think they are just too cold and too big for such a little mouth. However I can say that when babies get older teething rings and baby orajel work great but I would wait until she is older to use the baby orajel.
So anyway you're not alone ...Brianna also went from an angel to a monster (as you put it haha). Hang in there and keep me posted!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from South Bend on

As long as it's plain tylenol (nothing other than the pain reliever as an ingredient) then I think it's ok. I used it for my daughter when she was around that age. You can always call your doctor and ask them about it to be completely on the safe side. Since she's young, I would also use a little less than you normally would to once again, be on the safe side. They also make these teething tablets that dissolve in baby's mouth. They don't work for all babies but they did for my daughter when she went through that. Good luck. I know this can be trying times for a new mommy. Just know that, if you get through today, she may feel better tomorrow and you'll get a little more relief from the monster and a little more angel. ;)
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Cleveland on

My daughter was only 5 months when she started teething, and we were traveling at the time! A kind mother told us about a homeopathic remedy. Teething pills found at Whole Foods Stores, they dissolve instantly. Well we tried it and within 1 min she stopped crying and fell comfortably asleep! The people at Whole Foods are very helpful and there should be someone in that section that knows about these products if you have any further questions! Hope thing go well!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.D.

answers from Cleveland on

It sounds like you are not thrilled with the idea of medicating your daughter so here is an alternitive. Check out Hylands teething tablets. They are an all natural, homeopathic teething tablet that worked wonders for my little one. I have seen it for sale at places like Wal-Mart as well as CVS and the like.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Look into the Hyland Teething tablets. I have been giving them to my kids since first sign of teeth. They are great to have the melt in their mouth so no choking on them. Tylenol is fine to give them as well just do correct amt. Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

Hey M.! I wouldn't think twice about giving her Tylenol or Motrin. She's hurting, help her out and give her some. You may even want to try the Hyland's teething tablets. We're going through the same thing, and I really think giving them a little medicine (especially at night or when they are lying down) helps a lot. It's not a permanent thing, so she will be just fine with a little Motrin. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Cleveland on

My twin girls staretd teething at 4 1/2 months and they were born almost two months early. They are 8 months now and haven't cut a tooth yet but are now pretty close to it. They hated the teething rings too and i was afraid to give them tylonel all the time. I disagree with the woman that said it is the safest thing out there. We use Hylands Teething Tablets. They are all natural and seem to work great. On ocassion I do give tylonel, but only if they seem to be really bad. As they got older they liked the teething rings too. Oralgel is good too. Just don't give it right before feedings (wait a half hour or so because it will numb the throat). If you have alot of drooling use a bib to keep the clothes dry and wathc for a rash on the cheeks and chin. If this happens just use lotion or cortizone cream.

Good luck. You'll get thru it. The little ones tend to get "used" to the pain as time goes on too. It won't always be this bad :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.P.

answers from Canton on

Congratulations on your baby girl! I would have to say these questions are really best suited for your pediatrician. He/she can give you the correct dosage amounts, how often you can give it to her, etc. I'd also ask if you could use baby orajel on her, at her age. We always used it for our boys, but they were much older when they were teething. At 14 weeks, I'm not sure if it can be used on her yet. So give your pediatrician a call and see what they think. Good luck, Mama!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches