Are you worried that can teething cause vomiting? It can be stressful when your little one is cranky, drooling, and unusually tired—so it’s understandable if you are concerned that their discomfort could be causing these episodes of vomiting.
Don’t panic just yet! In this post, we provide some insight into why babies might vomit from teething and how to help soothe the trouble spots. Read on for all the helpful tips!
What Are Teething Symptoms?
Teething is a natural process in which babies and toddlers get their first set of teeth. During this time, they may exhibit certain behaviors and physical symptoms that indicate they are teething.
Knowing what to look out for can help you provide comfort and support during this sometimes uncomfortable process. Let's dive into the typical symptoms, as well as other indications that your child may be teething.
Generalized Symptoms:
By knowing these symptoms of teething you will be able to treat your child on time.
- Swollen gums
- Sore gums
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
The following symptoms are the most common ones. The swollen gums may be hard to see, but they can usually be felt with gentle pressure on your baby’s gumline.
Your baby may also be more irritable than usual during teething and may not want to eat or drink as much as usual. Babies may also have difficulty sleeping due to pain from their tender gums, making for an overtired little one!
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Other Symptoms:
- Cough diarrhea high fever
- Vomiting (if vomiting persists for an extended period consult your pediatrician)
- Agitation breathing difficulties, difficulty falling asleep
- Rash
- Refusal of liquids
These other symptoms should not be ignored, as they could indicate something more serious than just teething such as a bacterial or viral infection, stomach infection, or food allergy. If these other symptoms accompany vomiting that persists or if your baby has a high fever and rash, contact your pediatrician right away.
Treat Teething Babies
There are many ways for soothing sore gums and make them feel better while their teeth come in. Here are a few tips you can try at home:
- Massage the gums with a clean finger or moistened gauze pad; this will help reduce inflammation around the emerging tooth.
- Offer your baby cold foods such as applesauce, yogurt, or mashed banana; this will provide temporary relief for sore gums.
- Give your baby something cold (but not frozen) such as a chilled washcloth or plastic teether filled with liquid; this will help numb the area around the emerging tooth and relieve temporary discomfort.
Read More: How To Clean A Baby's Ears
Why Vomiting Can Occur While Teething
Vomiting during teething is caused by a combination of factors. These include:
- Inflammation in the gums (Swollen gums) can cause nausea, leading to vomiting or even diarrhea in some cases.
- As teeth begin to come through, saliva production increases, which can lead to vomiting if swallowed in large amounts.
- Babies may swallow more air than usual when they are teething, leading to uncomfortable feelings of fullness and nausea. This can result in vomiting as well as burping and hiccupping.
- When babies are in pain from teething, they may become increasingly irritable, which can also lead to vomiting due to stress and anxiety.
- Some babies have allergies that are triggered by certain foods eaten while they are teething or other allergens in their environment that they may be exposed to at this time. These allergies can lead to vomiting or other digestive issues such as diarrhea or constipation.
- Teething can sometimes exacerbate existing gastrointestinal problems such as acid reflux or colic, leading to increased levels of discomfort and even vomiting in some cases.
How Can I Reduce The Risk Of My Baby Vomiting During Teething?
There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of your baby vomiting during teething:
Use A Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress (such as a wet cloth or ice pack) on the area where your baby’s tooth is coming through can help reduce inflammation and soothe their gums. This will help reduce the chances of them becoming nauseous due to gum irritation.
Monitor Food Intake
Pay attention to what your baby is eating while they are teething and make sure that any food they consume is easy to digest so that their body won’t struggle with digestion and potentially trigger vomiting or other digestive issues.
Offer Plenty Of Fluids
Make sure your baby is drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day so that their body stays hydrated and healthy despite any increased saliva production from teething.
Keep Them Calm
Do your best to keep your baby calm when they are teething as stress and anxiety will only increase their discomfort level and put them at greater risk for vomiting due to irritation from the process of cutting new teeth into empty sockets in the mouth.
Read More: How Long Is Breast Milk Good For After Warming?
FAQs
Do Babies Feed Less When Teething?
Babies may fuss more around meal times as they find relief from their swollen gums through chewing or drooling and exploration. This can lead to babies needing to feed more frequently as they adjust to their new environment and teeth erupting.
What Foods Help Teething Babies?
Certain foods can help provide some relief for teething babies--such as cold or frozen items like carrots, cucumber sticks, and apples. Other options include frozen yogurt, teethers filled with breast milk or formula, hard-boiled eggs, chilled mashed potatoes, and non-sweetened banana smoothies.
How Long Do Teething Symptoms Last?
Teething symptoms begin in the early months of infancy - sometimes as early as 3 months - and will continue until all the primary teeth have come through, which can be around age 3 or 4. Most symptoms tend to peak at 6-8 months due to new teeth coming through during this time frame.
What Is The Difference Between Vomit And Spit Up?
Vomit can be caused by teething babies, motion sickness, food poisoning, and various other conditions. Spit-up is more common in younger infants who don't yet have their digestive system developed enough to handle milk properly. It's usually accompanied by burping and hiccups rather than being thrown up forcefully.
Wrapping Up
In short, teething can cause vomiting in some infants. This is likely due to the increased drooling and irritation that comes with teething. If your infant is experiencing these symptoms, you can try some at-home remedies to help soothe them. However, if the vomiting persists or becomes severe, it's important to consult a doctor.