No, teething does not cause baby diarrhea; true diarrhea usually comes from infection, while teething may only overlap with looser stools.
Parents ask this all the time: can a baby get diarrhea from teething? The short answer you can act on is that teething itself doesn’t produce watery, frequent stools. Swallowed drool and changed feeding patterns can nudge stools softer, but real diarrhea has another cause most of the time. This guide shows what’s normal, what isn’t, and how to care for your baby with calm, step-by-step tips.
Teething Vs Illness: What Changes Are Normal
Teething brings gum soreness and extra saliva. Illness brings systemic signs like fever, poor energy, or marked changes in stool and urine. Use the table below as a fast screen while you watch your child at home.
| Symptom | Typical With Teething | Red Flags Suggesting Illness |
|---|---|---|
| Stool Pattern | Soft stool; same frequency; no mucus or blood | Watery stool 3+ times/day, mucus or blood, bad odor shift |
| Fever | No true fever | Temp ≥ 38.0°C (100.4°F) or lasts >24 hours |
| Drooling | Common, steady | None specific; drooling alone doesn’t explain diarrhea |
| Feeding | Brief fuss at breast/bottle; still taking fluids | Refuses most feeds or shows poor urine output |
| Sleep | Short wake-ups; settles with comfort | Lethargy, hard to rouse, or nonstop crying |
| Hydration | Wet diapers as usual | Fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears |
| Rash | Chin/cheek drool rash | Widespread rash or blistering |
| Vomiting | None | Repeated vomiting or green/bloody vomit |
| Behavior | Irritable but consolable | Listless or inconsolable |
Can A Baby Get Diarrhea From Teething? Signs To Watch
Here’s the core point again in plain terms: can a baby get diarrhea from teething? No. Leading pediatric guidance states that teething doesn’t cause diarrhea or fever. If your baby has watery stools, assume a gut bug or another cause until shown otherwise. That framing helps you act early on hydration and call your clinician at the right time.
Why Loose Stools Sometimes Appear During Teething Weeks
Timing makes it look linked. Around 6–12 months, new teeth arrive and babies touch everything, then put hands in their mouths. More microbes meet a still-maturing immune system. Extra saliva also passes through the gut and can make stools softer. That’s not the same as diarrhea caused by infection.
What Counts As Diarrhea In Babies
Think “watery and frequent.” Three or more loose, watery stools in a day, a sharp increase from your child’s baseline, or any stool with blood or mucus fits the picture. If you see that pattern, treat it as illness, not teething.
Teething And Diarrhea In Babies: What’s Normal And What’s Not
Normal with teething: drool, gum rubbing, brief fuss, and maybe one soft stool that looks the same as usual. Not normal: runny stools that soak the diaper repeatedly, a fever, or signs of dehydration. Authoritative pediatric groups say not to attribute fever or diarrhea to teeth, since that can delay care for real infection.
Trusted Rules You Can Rely On
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ symptom guidance states that teething doesn’t cause fever or diarrhea; if those show up, look for another cause and call your clinician as needed (AAP teething guidance). For pain relief, avoid benzocaine gels and similar numbing products in infants—these can cause a dangerous blood reaction; the U.S. regulator asks caregivers not to use them in young children (FDA benzocaine warning).
At-Home Care When Stools Are Loose
Step one is fluids. Breast milk or formula stays front and center. Offer smaller, more frequent feeds; babies often tolerate that better. For older babies who already take solids, keep simple foods on the menu and pause super sweet juices, which can worsen stool water content.
Fluids And Feeding Basics
- Breastfed: Nurse on demand. Short, frequent sessions keep fluids steady.
- Formula-fed: Keep the usual formula; mix exactly as directed. Thinning formula can cause problems.
- Older than 6 months on solids: Offer easy-to-digest foods (banana, rice, applesauce, toast, yogurt if already tolerated). Skip sugary drinks.
- Oral rehydration solutions (ORS): Your clinician may suggest ORS if stools are very watery or your baby shows mild dehydration signs. Use packaged ORS as labeled.
Comfort For Teething Pain
- Gum massage: Wash hands; rub the gums for 1–2 minutes.
- Cold teether: Chill a firm rubber ring; avoid freezing solid.
- Plain, cool washcloth: Let baby gnaw while supervised.
- Avoid numbing gels: Skip benzocaine and similar products due to safety concerns (see FDA link above).
- Medicine only with guidance: If you’re considering pain relievers, ask your clinician about dose and timing for your child’s age and weight.
Clear Signs Your Baby Needs A Clinician
Call promptly if any of the signs below appear. These point away from teething and toward illness that needs assessment.
| Sign | What It Looks Like | Why To Call |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Temperature ≥ 38.0°C (100.4°F) | Teething doesn’t cause fever; assess for infection |
| Dehydration | Fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes | Needs fluid plan; babies dehydrate fast |
| Blood/Mucus In Stool | Red streaks or jelly-like mucus | May signal bacterial infection or other issues |
| Persistent Vomiting | Repeated episodes or green bile | Risk of dehydration and other causes |
| Poor Feeding | Taking very little or none over 6–8 hours | Leads to low urine output and energy |
| Lethargy | Unusually sleepy, hard to wake | Needs same-day assessment |
| Many Watery Stools | 3+ watery diapers/day or new high volume | Not a teething effect; manage as diarrhea |
| Age Under 3 Months | Any fever or diarrhea at this age | Low threshold to call or be seen |
Simple Action Plan You Can Follow Today
Step 1: Check Hydration
Count wet diapers (at least 4–6/day after the newborn period), look at mouth moisture, and watch tear production when crying. If any of these fade, call your clinician. Keep feeds coming in small, steady amounts.
Step 2: Soothe The Gums
Massage gums and use a chilled teether. Keep beads, necklaces, and liquid-filled toys off the list. Loose parts and cords pose risks you can avoid.
Step 3: Keep The Diaper Area Comfortable
Watery stools can sting. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, then use a thick barrier cream every change. Leave the area open to air when you can.
Step 4: Watch The Pattern Over 24 Hours
Teething signs stay mild and steady. Illness changes fast. If stools become watery and frequent or your baby looks unwell, treat it as diarrhea and call.
Myths That Keep Parents Second-Guessing
“Teething Always Causes Runny Poop.”
No. The overlap in timing creates that impression, but pediatric sources say teeth don’t drive diarrhea. Soft stool can happen; watery stool points elsewhere.
“If There’s Drool, The Diarrhea Is From Teeth.”
Drool is expected, yet it doesn’t explain frequent watery stools. Use the symptom mix to guide you: fever, blood in stool, low energy, or poor feeding means call.
“A Numbing Gel Will Fix It.”
Skip benzocaine products in babies due to safety risks, and because the gel washes away fast. Use gum massage, chilled teethers, and clinician-guided pain medicine only when needed.
When Home Care Is Enough
Many babies bounce back within a day or two when the cause is a mild gut bug. Keep fluids steady, protect the skin, and let your baby rest. If your child stays playful, keeps peeing, and stools are trending less watery, you’re on the right track.
When To Seek Same-Day Care Or Urgent Care
Seek same-day care for signs in the second table above. Go urgent if your baby looks very ill, stops peeing, has green or bloody vomit, or has any color change of lips/skin. Those are not teething issues.
Key Takeaways Parents Can Rely On
- Teething doesn’t cause diarrhea or fever.
- Soft stool can coincide with teething weeks; watery stool points to illness.
- Hydration, skin care, and safe teething comfort are your core steps.
- Call if fever, dehydration signs, blood/mucus in stool, or many watery diapers show up.
- Avoid benzocaine gels; use hands-on comfort and chilled teethers instead.