Stool disorder often occurs in babies who have teething. Some of the babies have teeth that appear completely painless, while others suffer during their eruption, suffering from indigestion. Why can diarrhea begin during teething and how to help the little one?
Frequent accompanying symptoms
The main symptoms that occur during teething:
- The kid becomes irritable, whiny, capricious.
- Salivation increases.
- A rash appears on the face (especially on the chin).
- The baby's sleep becomes restless.
- Diarrhea appears.
- The body temperature may rise slightly.
The reasons for the development of diarrhea in babies who have teething are called abundant salivation and acceleration of the peristalsis of the digestive tract. In addition, immunity is weakened during this period, and the child intensively chews and bites various things that come across to him. This creates an increased risk for developing infections.
The symptoms of teething diarrhea are usually increased stool frequency and a thinner consistency. The smell and color of stool often do not change. In addition, the child with such diarrhea is not lethargic and eats normally (appetite may decrease slightly due to discomfort and pain). These are signs of diarrhea caused by mild irritation of the digestive tract. This irritation goes away as soon as the gum inflammation subsides.
E. Komarovsky: is there diarrhea from teeth?
Diarrhea often occurs in teething babies. However, a well-known doctor reminds that the period of teething is a time of increased risk for the development of various intestinal infections, since the immune function of the crumbs' body decreases, and because of the baby's desire to constantly rub his teeth with any foreign objects, more microorganisms and viruses enter his digestive tract. And if, simultaneously with diarrhea, the baby's body temperature increased, and the stool itself changed in consistency, smell and color, then, most likely, an infection has joined, so the baby should be shown to a specialist as soon as possible.
How to treat?
To help the child during the period when his teeth are erupting, parents should focus on eliminating pain and discomfort. You can give your baby solid vegetables and special toys, massage the gums, and use dental gels and pain relievers. It is important to maintain good hygiene, to wash toys, dishes and hands more often.
Since diarrhea during the appearance of teeth is a short-term phenomenon, it does not need to be specially treated somehow. The actions of the parents should include replenishing the fluid lost by the baby and reducing the load on the baby's digestive system. If the child is breastfed and receives complementary foods, it is recommended to reduce the amount of complementary foods, and increase the number of breastfeeding.
Do you need to go to the pediatrician?
Medical help is needed for children who have started developing an intestinal infection against the background of teething.
You can judge about this process by the following symptoms:
- the baby has a high body temperature;
- feces may turn green, streaked with blood and a lot of mucus;
- the stool has a putrid or sharp sour smell;
- the child's condition has worsened, the child has become lethargic, refuses to eat.
If the baby has such signs, it is important to immediately contact the doctor with the baby to prevent dehydration and deterioration. It is not worth treating the baby on your own, since dehydration in infants develops quite quickly.
