Can babies lose weight when teething?

Can Babies Lose Weight When Teething?

Babies typically do not lose weight specifically due to teething, but teething may temporarily affect feeding patterns which could potentially impact weight gain in some cases.

Teething and Its Effects on Feeding

Teething is a normal developmental process that begins around 6 months of age and continues until approximately 3 years when all primary teeth have erupted 1. During this process, babies may experience several symptoms that could indirectly affect their nutritional intake:

• Feeding difficulties: Teething can cause gum pain and discomfort, which may lead to temporary feeding problems 1, 2
• Decreased appetite: Research shows decreased appetite for solid foods (but not typically for liquids) during teething periods 2
• Irritability and sleep disturbance: These common teething symptoms may disrupt normal feeding routines 2

Scientific Evidence on Teething Symptoms

A prospective cohort study of 125 children found that while teething was associated with several symptoms, no symptom occurred in more than 35% of teething infants 2. The symptoms significantly associated with teething included:

• Increased biting and drooling
• Gum-rubbing and sucking
• Irritability and wakefulness
• Decreased appetite for solid foods
• Mild temperature elevation

However, this study did not find significant associations between teething and more serious symptoms like high fever (>102°F), vomiting, or substantial changes in appetite for liquids 2.

Impact on Weight

While teething may temporarily affect feeding patterns, there is no strong evidence suggesting that teething directly causes weight loss in otherwise healthy infants. Normal infant feeding patterns at around teething age (typically 6 months) involve feeding every 3-4 hours, taking 3-4 oz per feed 3.

For context, it's important to understand normal weight patterns in infants:

• Infants typically gain about 17-20 g/kg per day during periods of normal growth 4
• Temporary fluctuations in weight gain velocity are common during development

Managing Teething Discomfort

To minimize any potential impact on feeding and weight gain:

1. Pain management: Use appropriate pain relief methods such as:

   • Cold teething rings 1
   • Appropriate over-the-counter teething gels (some containing hyaluronic acid have shown efficacy) 5
   • Paracetamol for pain relief (used by 60% of parents in one study) 6

2. Feeding adaptations:

   • Offer smaller, more frequent feedings if the baby seems uncomfortable
   • Try different feeding positions that may put less pressure on inflamed gums
   • Maintain consistent feeding routines as much as possible

When to Seek Medical Attention

Parents should consult a healthcare provider if:

• The baby shows signs of actual weight loss rather than just slowed weight gain
• Feeding difficulties persist beyond the typical teething period (8 days around tooth eruption) 2
• The baby shows signs of dehydration
• There are other concerning symptoms like high fever, significant vomiting, or diarrhea that are unlikely to be related to teething 2, 7

Common Misconceptions

Many parents attribute numerous symptoms to teething that may actually have other causes. A survey of Australian parents found that only one parent out of 92 believed teething causes no problems, while most attributed symptoms like fever, irritability, and sleep disturbance to teething 6. Similarly, a Nigerian study found that 64.8% of mothers associated symptoms like fever, cough, and diarrhea with teething 7.

It's important not to automatically attribute all symptoms during this period to teething, as this could lead to overlooking potentially serious conditions that require medical attention.