Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Kedar Patnekar (MBBS, D.N.B, D.C.H, Specialist Pediatrician) Dubai, UAE.
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Author:
Amar Kirale
- >> Post Created: July 6, 2022
- >> Last Updated: May 2, 2024
Can Teething cause diarrhea - Table of Contents
The realization that your baby starts teething soon can be daunting, especially after hearing so much about the issues (though temporary) that come with it, like teething diarrhea. But the key to manage your baby’s teething phase is having the right knowledge about it.
Teething usually starts when the baby is 4–7 months old. Some late bloomers welcome their first set of teeth by as late as 12 months as well.
There are a number of teething symptoms in infants; irritability (which includes crying and crankiness as well), drooling, teething rash, biting, rubbing cheeks, pulling ears, refusal to eat, gnawing on things, body may feel warmer etc.
And diarrhea? Does teething cause diarrhea too? Well… No!
As far as diarrhea during the baby’s teething phase is concerned, there are some misconceptions about it. In this article, we intend to clear those notions and explain how to handle diarrhea during the teething phase and can teething cause diarrhea in the first place.
Lets fist understand what causes diarrhea in kids and does/ can teething cause diarrhea.
How to identify diarrhea in babies?
One of the easiest ways to ensure that the baby’s health is fine is through their poop. Some babies might poop after every meal, while some babies may poop once in a couple of days or so.
What is considered as normal poop?
- The baby’s first poop is dark black in color with a greenish shade and is known as meconium.
- For breast-fed babies, it is soft, yellow, and runny. Of course, smells bad!
- For formula-fed babies, thicker in consistency, yellowish or light brown in color, and again, does not smell good.
- For babies who start consuming solid food, poop will be more solid and brown in color.
On the other hand, if the baby is suffering from diarrhea –
- Poop is darker in color than usual or sometimes even green.
- Extremely smelly, can easily be one of the identifiable signs of diarrhea
- Diaper gets full faster
- Poop is watery
A word of caution here – if your baby’s poop is white, black, or even red (with blood), it is time to rush to the doctor!
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three or more loose stools in one day can be defined as diarrhea. They also emphasize on the dangers of dehydration in infants due to diarrhea. The following are some of the signs of dehydration in babies –
- Dry mouth
- Less urination, i.e. anything lower than 6 wet diapers each day
- Irritability or not active as usual
- Soft spot in the center of the baby’s skull is sunken
- Loose stools
- Crying with little or no tears at all
If you notice any of the following signs, then you need to get immediate medical attention for your baby –
- Blood in stool
- Swollen stomach
- Vomiting for more than 12 hours
- Fever that stays for over 24 hours
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Severe rash or jaundice
- Any of the signs of dehydration that have been listed above
Over and above all this, if you as a parent feel something is not right with your baby, just trust your gut and see a doctor.
Diarrhea can be mild or severe, but it should never be ignored citing teething as a reason, because teething will never cause diarrhea directly. In fact, the dehydration that diarrhea can cause can be dangerous for the baby; therefore, always seek medical help.
Understanding why do babies get diarrhea when teething?
Does teething cause diarrhea – Indirect Association
Now, to start with let’s see What do babies get diarrhea when teething?
Most moms vouch that diarrhea is corelated with teething and always advice new moms to keep a look out for diarrhea when their child is teething.
But scientifically, around 6 months of age, right around the time your baby is expected to receive their first set of teeth, the baby is also susceptible to contracting more germs as he/she starts to move around, hold, and explore things with hands and mouth. Some parents also introduce solid food around this time, to which the baby’s stomach takes time to adjust.
Basically, it is the time when the baby’s immune system, which is still underdeveloped, gets to know different types of new viruses and bacteria, which can in turn cause fever, diarrhea, etc.
So clearly teething does not cause diarrhea directly as per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), but there is an indirect link, which will be discussed in detail ahead.
So, is teething associated with diarrhea at all?
As explained earlier in the article, the timing of your baby’s teething and him/her being exposed to new bacteria, viruses, and/or starting solid food usually coincide. And it is usually these reasons, apart from teething, that can cause diarrhea.
It is around this time that babies start getting independent in more ways than one – they also lose the antibodies they get from their mother at birth. So as strange as it may sound, a baby’s immunity is stronger at birth than at 6 months of age.
The indirect link between teething and diarrhea
As mentioned earlier in the article, diarrhea can be caused due to the sucking / biting / chewing that babies do during teething to soothe sore gums. If any object that the baby takes in their mouth is unclean, then obviously this will affect the baby’s health, possibly through diarrhea.
What you can do to avoid this is to ensure your surroundings are clean (decluttered & dirt-free floor), especially the baby’s toys. You can also get soft, bacteria-free chewing rings or toys and chill them for more gum comfort for your baby.
Another reason why babies easily suffer from diarrhea between the ages of 6 months and 2 years or during the teething period is because they still have an underdeveloped immune system, which makes them prone to issues like diarrhea, fevers, vomiting, etc.
You can help your baby’s immune system to an extent by ensuring he/she is fed breastmilk, is given vaccinations, and is also given probiotics, nutrient-filled foods that are age-appropriate.
So, if your baby’s diarrhea is indirectly caused due to teething, then it may take a few days to cure, provided you give the baby the right medicines and keep him/her hydrated. However, if the diarrhea situation doesn’t seem to improve even after a week or reoccurs after a few days, then it is best to see your doctor.
Diarrhea with fever / vomiting / dehydration is a big cause of concern and needs immediate medical attention.
Sometimes this diarrhea can also lead to your child getting diaper rashes. So ensure that you clean properly every time you change the diapers. Also keep some natural home remedies which can help you keep the diaper rash at bay.
You can refer to few of our articles specifically on Home remedies for diaper rash, Coconut Oil, DIY recipes for diaper rash creams, cornstarch for diaper rash and so on.
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What else can cause diarrhea in babies?
It is always necessary to know the cause of the issue to fix it in the best manner. Besides the indirect connection to teething, babies can suffer from diarrhea due to other reasons as well; take a look –
- Bacteria & Viruses: The chances of bacteria and viruses entering your baby’s body through the mouth during teething is high, but the same chances are applicable on any other day as well. So maintaining hygienic surrounding at all times is necessary. Also know that these can be contagious, so take appropriate care.
- Food allergies: Food allergies can affect more than just the stomach. It can affect the intestines and cause diarrhea or give your baby a runny nose, skin rashes, cough, etc.
- Food sensitivity: Babies might not take too well to certain foods, and one way for their body to say that can be diarrhea and/or gas. So take note of how your baby’s body reacts to any food you introduce to them.
- Medications: Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in the gut that keep the stool solid, and hence, their consumption can cause loose stool in babies temporarily.
- Travel: The chances of developing diarrhea due to travel is low in babies, but still a possibility. Take extra care of the baby’s food and water (which can be contaminated) when you are travelling.
- Just: There are times when your baby will have loose stools for no reason. It should not be a cause of concern, if it is temporary and not accompanied by fever or vomiting.
Teething diarrhea treatment - How to treat Diarrhea?
As teething does not cause diarrhea, obviously, the treatment will also differ.
For mild diarrhea where there is no weight loss, your baby will need lots of fluids, more-than-usual diapers and your love and attention. In case the diarrhea is caused because of bacteria / viruses, certain antibiotics, or change in food habits, then keeping your baby hydrated should be of utmost importance.
Keep feeding the baby with breast milk or formula as usual. If the baby is over 6 months of age, then he/she can also be given sips of water or a prescribed rehydration solution throughout the day. Less than six wet diapers a day means the baby is dehydrated.
If the baby is suffering from diarrhea due to some other illness or food allergy, hydration is still necessary along with other prescribed treatments. According to experts, “Most cases of dehydration in children are the consequence of acute gastroenteritis.” And severe dehydration in babies can lead to further complications.
Here are some pointers if your baby is suffering from diarrhea:
- Breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby as you usually do.
- If feeding formula, ensure it is not high in sugar content
- If on solid foods, give small, but frequent servings.
- If on solids, serve protein-rich foods and vegetables to help the gut
- Avoid foods and/or liquids that are high in sugar
- Between meals ensure that the baby is hydrated with water or age-appropriate rehydration solutions
- Change soiled diapers frequently to avoid skin infections
- Do not give any kind of medicine to treat diarrhea on your own. It should be only on doctor’s recommendation.
- If diarrhea persists or you see any of the symptoms listed earlier in the article, see your doctor immediately.
How to relieve teething discomfort
Now that diarrhea is addressed, let’s take a look at what you can do to help your little one with the teething discomfort.
- Gently keep massaging the baby’s sore gums with clean fingers
- Give the baby a clean, wet wash cloth, preferably a little chilled to gnaw on
- A clean, chilled fruit, teething ring or toy will also help. Do NOT give frozen items to chew on as they can damage the gums.
- A lot of cuddles, rocking, back rubs, and songs can work great as a distraction
- If these don’t seem too effective, you can try over-the-counter pain killers for infants (preferably on doctor’s recommendation) and ensure to give age-appropriate dosages, like Tylenol for teething.
- Avoid teething gels/tablets or homeopathic remedies for teething pain, as they could be dangerous
- Do not use any kind of alcohol to numb the baby’s gums, as it can make your baby ill.
To know more, you can check our articles on the subject of Teething.
Key Takeaways
To answer the main question, you have – Can/ Does teething cause diarrhea?
There is no such thing as teething diarrhea, as teething does not cause diarrhea, at least not directly.
But as discussed if babies bite/chew/gnaw on unclean objects to soothe their aching gums during teething, then this may cause diarrhea. Hence most of the moms conclude that teething causes diarrhea and that teething is related to or associated with diarrhea in children.
Further, the baby’s age during teething coincides with them becoming more independent in movement, being introduced to solid foods, and underdeveloped immunity, which can easily put the blame of diarrhea on teething.
However, diarrhea is not a ‘side-effect’ of teething, instead, it can be something dangerous for your baby’s health if not addressed in a timely manner. It is necessary to know the reason behind it and treat it accordingly. With diarrhea, beware of dehydration that can complicate issues further. Always take opinion of your healthcare provider. Its safe.
So, as discussed in the article, can teething cause diarrhea/ teething diarrhea – is a big misconception.
It is always best to be armed with knowledge, especially when it comes to your little one’s health and well-being!
We hope we could help. Take care!
Amar Kirale
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