Teething Doesn't Cause Diarrhoea — Here's the Real Reason Babies Get Loose Motions

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video explains why children get loose motions at the time of teething. The real cause: Teething itself does not cause diarrhoea. Teething generally happens after 6 months of age. At that time, because of teething, the baby has some pain and irritation in the gums, so they pick up everything and put it in their mouth to relieve that irritation — including things lying around on the floor. Those things carry bacteria and viruses, and when the baby puts them in the mouth, the bacteria and viruses go inside, cause an infection in the intestine, and lead to loose motions. How to prevent it: Keep the surroundings clean. Give the baby a teether, and clean the teether repeatedly before giving it to the baby. To relieve teething pain, follow the techniques the doctor has explained, and massage the baby's gums. A detailed video on this is linked in the description. Important: Whenever your baby has teething diarrhoea, do not ignore it. If the teething diarrhoea persists, definitely consult a doctor. Relevant for: parents whose teething baby has loose motions or diarrhoea; parents asking whether teething itself causes diarrhoea or fever; parents whose baby puts everything in the mouth because of gum pain and irritation; parents wanting to know how to clean and use a teether safely; parents looking for ways to relieve teething pain including gum massage; and parents asking when persistent loose motions need a doctor. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician if the loose motions persist, or if your child has fever, frequent watery stools, signs of dehydration, vomiting, or is not feeding.