From the Research
Babies do not actually have diarrhea as a direct result of teething. While many parents believe teething causes diarrhea, there is no scientific evidence supporting this connection. The apparent association likely occurs because teething typically happens between 6-24 months of age, which is also when babies are being introduced to new foods, exploring their environment by putting objects in their mouth, and developing their immune systems. These factors, rather than teething itself, are more likely causes of diarrhea. During teething, babies do produce more saliva which they swallow, but this doesn't cause loose stools. If your baby has diarrhea (defined as watery stools occurring more frequently than normal), it's more likely due to a viral infection, food sensitivity, or another cause unrelated to teething.
Key Considerations
- The most recent and highest quality study on pediatric diarrhea is from 2021 1, which found that probiotics, specifically Saccharomyces boulardii, may be effective in reducing the duration of diarrhea and the risk of diarrhea lasting ≥2 days.
- However, this study does not support the idea that teething causes diarrhea.
- Another study from 2019 2 found that high-dose probiotics (≥ 5 billion CFUs per day) may be more effective than low-dose probiotics in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children.
- A study from 2010 3 found that oral or nasogastric rehydration with an oral rehydration solution was equally efficacious as intravenous rehydration in treating dehydration in children with acute gastroenteritis.
- A case-control study from 1996 4 found that breastfed infants were at lower risk of dehydrating diarrhea compared to bottle-fed infants, and that there is a vulnerable period soon after breastfeeding is stopped.
Monitoring and Management
You should monitor your baby for signs of dehydration such as decreased wet diapers, dry mouth, or unusual fussiness. If diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours, is accompanied by fever over 100.4°F, contains blood or mucus, or if your baby shows signs of dehydration, contact your pediatrician promptly.
Prevention
While there is no direct link between teething and diarrhea, maintaining good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and proper cleaning of toys and surfaces, can help reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, breastfeeding has been shown to have a protective effect against dehydrating diarrhea 4.