Health authorities warn parents against using teething gels to soothe babies

South Australian Health authorities have made a major change in their advice to parents, warning them against the use of teething gels for infant children.

The Women's and Children's Hospital has now stopped producing and supplying its popular teething gel to parents because of concerns about the effect it could have on children.

It comes after several children presented to SA emergency departments having consumed too much of the local anaesthetic lidocaine, commonly used in the gel.

Deputy Director of Pharmacy at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Usha Ritchie said the advice is in line with revised recommendations from international and national health organisations.

"Today, we have released new teething advice which no longer recommends the use of mouth gels for teething infants," she said.

"International and Australian medicines organisations warn against using the local anaesthetic lidocaine in products for infant teething."

"As lidocaine is the active ingredient in the WCH Teething Gel, it will no longer be manufactured or available for sale."

Authorities said the decision comes after a number of incidents overseas, where infants and children have been harmed after consuming too much lidocaine.

The Women's and children's Hospital said no South Australian children have had any serious adverse effects.

Authorities now advise parents to use alternative methods to soothe an unsettled baby.

"We know that having a new baby can be a challenging and uncertain time and teething is a natural and normal part of their growth," nurse Natasha Clark said.

"Simple ways we recommend to soothe a child include using teething rings, a cold cloth to bite or something safe to chew on."

"If in doubt, parents should contact their GP...or call the Parent Helpline at any time with concerns about their baby or child."