My 9 month old daughter is getting her two bottom teeth (both at the same time, oh joy!). She has had loose stools since last Thursday, including during the night. Before this, her stool was fairly solid and she didn't poop during the night. I called my pediatrician on Saturday, and they said the diarrhea is not related to the teething. They asked if there have been any changes in her diet or mine (I'm still breastfeeding). There haven't been any dietary changes. They recommended we put her on the BRAT diet (Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast). We started that on Saturday, but it still hasn't helped. My husband changed her last night at midnight, and she was poopy again this morning when she got up.
Is the diarrhea related to the teething? Any other suggestions on how to stop the diarrhea? Will it stop once her teeth poke through her gums? The pediatrician said she doesn't need to come in unless she has another symptom (fever), but I'm getting worried as she's had diarrhea for 6 days now. She doesn't have any other symptoms - no fever, only cranky when she's tired.
Well, the diarrhea finally stopped after two weeks, of course right when we saw the pediatrician. The dr. had a different answer than the nurse who answered the phone; the dr said the diarrhea could have been caused by the teething. She had us bring in a stool sample, and they tested it for giardia from our dogs and other parasites (all negative).
I think it was because she just didn't want to eat while her teeth hurt. She didn't really eat too much during that time period either. The brown rice really did seem to help.
Thank you all for your responses!
My mother in law is from Costa Rica and she says that when they teeth they get diarrea, although western medicine does not agree. So I think it will pass with time, don't worry.
J.
I have a 2 year old daughter who was pretty much the same way. It was like she got All of her teeth in pairs. She would either throw up or have diarrhea, she was never cranky either. I think, like all things that come with children, that every child is different. I would not be overly worried unless it get worse or does not go away after the teeth break through. Just remember to keep giving her fluids and Good Luck.
Pediatricians know best (if you trust yours). I do daycare at my home and in my experience, this is what I've found...
1. Diarrhea caused by teething doesn't last very long and isn't true diarrhea- it normally is just a little softer but not runny
2. When a child gets diarrhea, it can last for up to 2 weeks. If your child is still peeing, she's not dehydrated. Keep up the BRAT diet.
3. Breastmilk is the BEST thing you can give your baby when she's sick. You'd want to stop formula or cows milk until the diarrhea is gone but DON'T stop nursing!
4. Be patient. NO parent wants to see their child sick but it takes time for them to run these sicknesses through. Your Dr. would want to see her if she has a high fever or hasn't passed urine in 8 or more hours.
I hope she's better soon. A.
My daughter had the same thing when she was teething. Although it is not related to teething directly persay, it is. Babies are constantly putting their hands in thier mouths especially when teething. BActeria on thier hand, picked up from everyday things are transferred from hands to mouth to system, hence the diarrhea. My pediatrician told me this and it make alot of sense to me. Just keep her hydrated and clean hands and contact items often.
You will find that 50% of pediatricians say yes it is related to teething and 50% say no. Try googling it, it's kind of funny how they don't agree on this. I say, yes, it is related. Both of my kids had loose stools while teething, they too were breastfed. If there is no fever, she isn't lethargic, then just make sure you nurse her 24/7. Your milk is the best thing for her right now and you want to keep her hydrated. If your Mommy gut says something still isn't right then make a Dr. appt and look in to it a bit further.
** Please do not stop nursing, your breastmilk is all your child needs to keep from becoming dehydrated. It is better than any electrolyte drink out there. Especially better than Pedialyte which has dyes and artificial sweetner.
I hope she is feeling better soon,
M.
As long as your daughter is still wetting diapers frequently throughout the day you dont have to worry about dehydration. Give her some pedialyte pops or juice to help out. Keep her on the light BRAT diet. My sons first pediatrician said that diaharrhea was tied to teething and his second pediatrician he has now disagrees. From my experience I agree with the first. Do what you feel is right. If she continues schedule her an appointment anyway.
My three kids all got diarrhea with bottom teeth, however, it was only when they would normally poop not excessive like hers is. It did stop when the teeth popped through. They always got a clear runny nose with top teeth, too, FYI. Wouldn't it be nice if it was just teeth that we had to worry about? Good luck. I hope she feels better soon. :)
On the contrary, diarrhea IS a symptom of teething! I have four grown children, and am of grandparenting age (none yet, shucks!), and each of them went through teething with loose stools, runny nose, and fussiness. Don't stop nursing! "Suffer it to be so now...." All is well!
I was told that the amount of saliva that is swallowed during teething can cause loose stools.
I do believe there is a connection with teething and diarrhea but my baby had diarrhea for 7-8 days a few months ago and the nurse said that it was going around and to call back if it lasted more than 10 days. I know it is very difficult to handle but it should stop pretty soon whether it is teething or a virus.
Hey D., It could be stomach flu. Our 9 month old had it last month, it lasted for about a week, same symptoms as you're describing. He didnt have a fever, but tired and lots and lots of diaper changes. We did take him to the doctor and they confirmed thats what it was and it just had to pass. He wasn't dehydrated....his formula seemed to upset his stomach so we did alot of bananas and cereal and pedialyte if necessary. Good luck!
Hi D.,
I would first take the advise of your Ped.
And as long as your little gal is acting normal and is intaking the normal amount of food and liquids and doesnt show sings of dehydration, she is ok. I think at this age I would skip the pedialite, and dont stop breast feeding. This type of change in your daughters life at a time when you want to make sure she is recieving enough fluids could be devastating to her.
I once heard that the drool from teething when swallowed can cause diarrhea. I dont know if this is an old wives tale or if there is some truth to it.
Take her temp periodically to make sure she is not running a fever. Take Care. Heidi
Oh my gosh, loose stools are totally related to teething - it messes with the whole system! That being said, you know the difference and should trust your gut on what you see. But if she's doing fine otherwise, just relax. The stools of bf babies often look "spinach-like" when they're teething. Something about the change in enzymes within the saliva that messes with the poop and pee, and makes their whole body crazy.
Good luck, it will pass (like every annoying and fun thing about your darling girl!)
I have heard diarrhea and teething can go hand in hand. If they swallow the saliva instead of drooling, they can get diarrhea. I would think once the teeth break through, the diarrhea would stop. Keep your daughter hydrated for sure and if something still doesn't seem right, be persistent with the doctor. Even though they've been formally trained, they may not actually have kids;)
Hi D.: I researched this a little,as I remember my sons having problems with their bowels during teething,but couldn't remember why. While this is a symptom,that is disagreed upon by physicians, reseachers and parents usually notice slightly looser bowel movements when a baby is teething.There was a study done in Australia at the childrens hospital,and they found this to be the most common symptom of teething,But again,there are alot of people that will disagree with this finding. Some babies will have low grade fevers and trouble sleeping. They will become irritable,from the discomfort,drool alot,get chin rash,cough ,bite and gnaw alot.I'm sure your main concern is her becoming dehydrated. If its been 6 days,I'd insist on the Dr. seeing her, or talk to his nurse and ask what you can give your baby to prevent this.I agree,with giving her a diet of foods that will help firm up her stool,but dehydration can be dangerous. I'd Try offering an electrolyte solution between breast feedings.I hope your daughter is doing better soon. The best to you D.
Our pediatrician said diarrhea can absolutely be caused by teething, due to the excess saliva they swallow. Both our babies had it when they cut their teeth and their stools firmed up once the teeth cut through. I'd consider looking for a new pediatrician...
Each child is different, but diarrhea is not uncommon during teething. Monitor her, give her plenty of water to keep her
hydrated. Hang in there!
Are you giving her apple juice? This was the one thing that really gave my son problems at that age. It is worth checking. Good luck.
Hi D., it could be then again it may not be, I would stop nursing untill the diarrhea passes, I would also put her on pedialite so she does not get dihydrated, my kids are all grown but what we were told back in the day is to give them rice water, you know how you rinse the rice before you cook it, it's just starch, and the starch is supossed to stop the diarrhea, it worked back in the day. J.
