Teething and diarrhoea: what should you know?

During teething, a child may drool more, chew objects and swallow extra saliva. This can make stools seem softer, but repeated watery stools, vomiting or fever may point to an infection or another problem. Gastroenteritis and Food Poisoning can spread through contaminated food, water or close contact. Food Intolerance, Coeliac Disease, Crohn's Disease, Giardiasis, Hyperthyroidism and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are other possible explanations when diarrhoea keeps returning or lasts beyond a short illness.

Offer frequent breastfeeds or usual milk feeds and small amounts of fluid. An oral rehydration solution can replace water and salts when stools are frequent; follow the product instructions. Continue suitable foods if the child wants them, choosing simple familiar options. Wash hands after nappy changes, clean feeding items carefully and avoid anti-diarrhoeal medicines unless a clinician recommends them. Note stool frequency, vomiting, temperature, wet nappies and what the child has been drinking.

Seek urgent help if the child is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, breathing abnormally, unable to keep fluids down, has blood in the stool, severe tummy pain or signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth, few wet nappies, sunken eyes or no tears. Contact a clinician when diarrhoea is frequent, continues, returns repeatedly, or occurs with poor growth, fever or vomiting. Babies and children with medical conditions can become dehydrated quickly.

Ask how to judge hydration, which rehydration product is suitable, whether testing is needed and how long to continue monitoring. Share recent travel, food exposures, antibiotics, sick contacts, diet changes and the child’s wet-nappy pattern.