A Virginia mom, Emma Thompson, is sharing a chilling experience involving a well-known teething gel that has attracted widespread attention. On February 26, Thompson applied a small amount of Orajel’s nighttime teething gel to her 15-month-old daughter, Lily’s gums. Almost immediately, Lily exhibited alarming symptoms: her breathing became labored, and she turned unresponsive.
In her Facebook post, Thompson detailed the terrifying moments that unfolded. “Lily turned bright red and began to kick, letting out a couple of screams before she suddenly went limp,” she recounted. “Within 15 seconds of the gel touching her gums, she was unresponsive and turning blue.” In a panic, Thompson rushed to her daughter, attempting to revive her by patting her back before starting CPR while her partner dialed 911. Thankfully, after what felt like an eternity, Lily regained consciousness and began crying, much to her mother’s relief. The emergency responders assessed her condition and thankfully confirmed she was stable.
While this story has a happy ending, Thompson’s experience has prompted her to warn fellow parents about the potential dangers associated with the product. She pointed out that the packaging indicates the gel is suitable for children aged two and older, yet the marketing features a baby on the front, leading to confusion among caregivers. “The product is placed in the baby section of stores, which is incredibly misleading,” Thompson noted. “It should be clearly labeled with warnings or removed from the shelves entirely.”
Adding to the confusion, some online retailers, like Target, suggest the product for babies as young as four months. Although Lily was 15 months old and the packaging cautioned against use for younger children, many parents may inadvertently overlook these age recommendations. Thompson herself admitted to having given her children medications outside the recommended ages before, believing they were safe.
After sharing her story, Thompson found many parents reaching out to express their gratitude for her warning or to share similar distressing experiences. “Others had no idea about the risks associated with this product,” she explained.
Notably, most babies begin teething before they turn two. As reported on WebMD, teething typically starts between three and twelve months, meaning many children are too young to safely use teething gel. Thompson discovered numerous posts online detailing similar incidents dating back to 2008, where babies experienced similar reactions to Baby Orajel. She also learned that the FDA advises against the use of benzocaine, the active ingredient in Baby Orajel, for infants.
Thompson, typically cautious about sharing personal information online, felt compelled to raise awareness about the serious risks linked to using Baby Orajel Nighttime for children under two. She hopes that by bringing attention to this issue, other parents will be informed of the dangers associated with this product.
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In summary, Emma Thompson’s alarming experience with a popular teething gel serves as a critical reminder for parents to heed packaging warnings and to be aware of the potential dangers of over-the-counter medications for young children.
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