PERSONAL: Idiocy Strikes Bedtime

Ok, we all make mistakes, sadly as a Full-Time Mom if you mess up, you run the risk of harming your kid. Thank GOD it turns out the little one wasn't poisoned by her idiot mother!

Last night my husband finally noticed something was up and asked, "Umm, honey, where is the toothpaste up here? Are you using this teething gel on her teeth every night instead of toothpaste?"

I scoffed at him from downstairs as I prepared dinner and told him that it indeedwas toothpaste, it was just made by Orajel.

Um, no I was incorrect, it wasthe teething gel I had been putting on her teeth instead of the baby toothpaste. Whoops! I think I must have switched them when I cleaned out her bathroom and put all her toiletries away, about a month ago! Nice work mom!

A quick call to the pediatrician office and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) confirmed it was not lethal and could only be really harmful if symptoms like difficulty breathing occured or her nails started turning blue or if she exhibited other signs of a rare disease called methemoglobinemia.

Don't be dumb like me, though, double-check everything before giving it to your kid please! It, at the very least, will save you from feeling horribly guilty and scared!

NEWS: FDA Warns Against Using Teething Gels

You know that any medication has side effects, tylenol can do harm to your liver, ibuprofen can cause heart arrhythmia and even allergy medicine can cause allergy-like symptoms. So it should come as no surprise that even medicine for babies and toddlers can cause harm too. The difference is your baby's immune system has not fully developed, like yours, so they are at more risk with medicines causing side effects.

Long story short the FDA has issued a rare (and take that into account here please) but fatal (also note that) side effect to using teething gels that contain benzocaine. Benzocaine can lead to lack of oxygen in the blood stream and in extreme cases a disease called methemoglobinemia that can be fatal.

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, the FDA says to immediately seek medical attention for your child: pale, gray or blue colored skin, lips, and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; and rapid heart rate.

Click here for more on this safety release.