Teething Myths explained
Teething is such a wonder, with so many myths and misconceptions surrounding it that we are often left wondering, which ones hold any truth. Is teething really this excruciating experience that babies go through? Does it really cause colds, congestion and runny nose? Will my baby end up with a high fever and diarrhea??
Let’s find out…
Misconception #1 "Teething causes diarrhea."
Has your baby had looser stool around the same time they were also cutting a tooth? It’s very possible, however, keep in mind that there is no direct correlation between teething and diarrhea.
So where does this idea come from in the first place?
Simply put, babies tend to drink a lot more when they’re teething, and at the same time, there is an increase in the production of saliva that could cause looser stool for your infant. Somewhere around this time as well, the salivary glands start producing more saliva as they start preparing for new foods.
Excessive bouts of diarrhea are not associated with teething do not go hand in hand. Diarrhea is an indication of something else going on, and If your baby has more than usual diarrhea or even a questionable amount, take appropriate measures to rule out illness or an infection and make sure your infant is well hydrated and always speak to your pediatrician.
Misconception #2 "Teething causes colds, congestion and runny nose."
Although this myth is super common, and yes, many babies do catch the common cold while also teething, but believe it or not, teething does not actually bring on the common cold.
So how can you explain the impeccable timing?
The reason for this is because babies start getting sick more often around the same time that they also start teething, usually around the six month mark. No, it’s not a coincidence, although one would naturally be inclined to think so - I know that I was under that impression at some point or another as a new parent.
There are a few reasons for why they get sick at this time:
Babies are not getting as many antibodies from mom's milk as they were at birth, which means that their immune systems are starting to strengthen and become more established at this time.
They are chewing on everything, putting more in their mouths, attracting germs which makes them more vulnerable to getting sick with minor infections and colds.
Some pediatricians even suggest that due to lack of sleep or disrupted sleep that some babies experience while actively teething, that their immune system may be slightly compromised making them more prone to colds and getting sick.
Misconception #3 “Teething causes babies Excrutiating pain”
Most people are under the impression that babies experience excruciating and piercing pain when cutting teeth. Clay Jones, a pediatric and newborn hospitalist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts who wrote for a blog called Science-Based Medicine explained that it is unlikely that a baby would be in significant pain due to teething. “What happens is that the gums remodel—they move out of the way as the tooth emerges.” So take heart and know that your infant can experience some minor pain and discomfort as opposed to the insufferable pain we are all warned about.
Misconception #4 “Teething causes fever”
While studies have shows that teething can cause a sightly elevated temperature for your baby, it is not associated with high fevers (or clinical fevers of 100.4 and up). A true fever would indicate something else going on unrelated to teething and I would treat it as a separate entity.
Wrapping it up
Studies have shown that teething can indeed cause sleep disturbances, drooling, rashes, runny noses, diarrhea, appetite loss, irritability, and slight rise in body temperature. But interestingly, these symptoms consistently occur only on the day that the tooth breaks through the gums and the day after. These symptoms did not regularly occur in the days or weeks before the tooth appeared. So you can put the notion that babies experience prolonged piercing and endless pain to rest.
