Does Teething Cause Diarrhea in Babies?
As if swollen gums and drool rashes aren't bad enough, a bout of diarrhea could also strike your teething baby. Then again, all 20 teeth could arrive without a single loose stool. The medical community doesn't have a consensus on whether teething is linked to diarrhea. When tummy troubles strike your already cranky baby, a few home remedies and the advice of your trusted pediatrician can help get you both back to normal as quickly as possible.
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Experts Disagree
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No medical studies show a direct link between teething and diarrhea or other stomach ailments. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website and HealthyChildren.org, a website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, agree that the two are unrelated. However, pediatricians at the Ask Dr. Sears website believe teething and diarrhea are linked -- and many moms swear that they are, too. Registered nurse Jennifer Buchanan in an article on the Children's Hospital Los Angeles website also points out that the onset of teething often coincides with the loss of immunities that the infant received from her mother while in the womb, and the establishment of the infant's own immune system, leaving her vulnerable to minor infections -- some of which could bring on a bout of diarrhea.
Teething and the Tummy
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It's possible that your baby will experience various tummy maladies during teething. To relieve gum pain, she may chew on everything, including her own potentially dirty fingers and toys, leaving her open to contracting viruses that cause diarrhea or nausea. Excess drool can also irritate her stomach lining, causing intestinal issues, according to the Ask Dr. Sears website. And keep in mind that a common cause of infant gas is crying. A baby who is in discomfort because of teething may cry more than usual, swallowing air that gets trapped in her belly.
Treating Diarrhea
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Don't give your baby anti-diarrheal medication without speaking to her pediatrician, advises the KidsHealth website, which is part of the pediatrician-led Nemours Center for Children's Health Media. Typically, a mild bout of diarrhea will run its course in a day or two. Dehydration can be a serious side effect of diarrhea. Offer your baby extra breast milk or formula, as well as other liquids recommended by your pediatrician to keep her well hydrated. Preventing crying jags can keep gas at bay. Provide cold teething rings and washcloths for her to chew, and talk to your pediatrician about pain relievers. Relieve gas pain by rubbing your baby's belly while she lies on her back or by holding her face down over your arm, suggests Dr. Marianne Neifert in an article published on the Parents.com website.
When to Seek Help
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Call the doctor if your baby is younger than 6 months old and has diarrhea, advises the KidsHealth website. For an older baby, call the doctor if she has a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, is vomiting, has blood or mucus in her stool, or if the diarrhea lasts for more than a few days. Dehydration also merits seeking medical help. The Ask Dr. Sears website recommends weighing a baby that has diarrhea each morning. If she loses any weight from day to day, she might be dehydrated -- and you should call your pediatrician.
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Feeding your baby can help soothe her mouth, alleviating teething pain -- and if it keeps her from gnawing on a chair leg, all the better. Encourage your baby to eat whenever a new tooth is on its way, but be sure to provide foods that are safe and a
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According the award-winning pregnancy and parenting website Baby Center, most babies start teething between 4 and 7 months. Each infant reacts differently to teething, but at least a little pain and discomfort is to be expected. Its a good idea to ex
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One of the most exciting parts of a childs development is when his teeth appear, which can take place as early as 4 months of age. However, teething can be an uncomfortable stage for babies; while they cant tell you they are teething, there are sever
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