Let's talk teething with Nurse Blake!
News that may shock you: according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), teething does not cause fevers. While it can cause a slight elevation in your little one’s normal temperature (~99°F / 37.2°C), there’s no proven link between teething and a “true” fever (>100.4°F / >38°C).
An important thing to keep in mind is that the timing of teething coincides with two things: your baby’s immune system is waning from birth AND they are beginning to put everything in their mouth. Seeing an uptick in illness around this time is normal. So while a mild fever (and potential other symptoms like diarrhea and runny nose) may coincide with your babe’s teeth coming in, correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation.
Luckily, this doesn’t change a lot for you. Whether you think your baby has a fever because of teething or because of an illness, a mild or moderate temperature can be managed at home for now. Here’s when to call the doc:
- If your little one is 3-6 months old and develops a moderate fever. Call the doctor within 24 hours if your 3-6 month old gets a fever of ≥ 102 ℉ (38.9 ℃) rectally.
- If your little one is 6-24 months old and has only a fever with no other symptoms for 24 hours. A fever without other symptoms can sometimes point to a bacterial infection in this age group, which needs treatment. If your child has cold-like symptoms with their fever, such as runny nose or diarrhea, you’re likely dealing with a virus and you don’t need to call yet.
- At any age, if your little one develops a high fever. Call if your baby’s fever hits ≥ 104 ℉ (40 ℃) rectally or in the ear.
- At any age, if your kiddo has a fever for 72 hours. Call the doctor if your baby has a fever ≥ 100.4 °F (38.4℃) rectally or in the ear for 72 hours.
*Friendly reminder: baby’s temperature should not be checked in their ear until they reach 6 months of age. Stick to rectal!
How Can We Help With Teething Discomfort?
Mild fever aside, if your baby is uncomfortable and likely teething, let’s help ‘em out.
- Rub your clean finger along their gums, applying light pressure
- Use a cold or slightly frozen washcloth to apply pressure
- Offer cold foods, like fruit or applesauce
- Let them chew on teething rings or toys but avoid the ones filled with gels, as they’ve been shown to break open; chill the rubber teething rings in the fridge
- Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, is okay for babies 3 months and older
- Ibuprofen, such as Motrin or Advil, is okay for babies 6 months and older
Things to avoid:
- Teething necklaces or amber beads
- Why? Major choking hazard and many cases of strangulation. Additionally, the pain-relieving substance called succinic acid, has not been proven to relieve pain.
- Medications with lidocaine or benzocaine, such as teething tablets, gels or sprays
- Why? These are supposed to numb your baby’s gums but there have been many adverse reactions such as seizures and trouble breathing.
Comfort Measures For Accompanying Symptoms
As I mentioned at the beginning of this email, many parents notice a few common symptoms that seem to coincide with teething. Here’s how to keep your baby comfortable if they’re experiencing these symptoms:
Diarrhea
If your little babe is experiencing diarrhea, assume it’s from a virus and is contagious - increase your handwashing! Make sure they are peeing every 4-6 hours to avoid dehydration and take early steps to get ahead of diaper rashes.
- Skip the commercial wipes and opt for warm water on soft cloths instead
- Use a thick layer of protective or barrier ointment during diaper changes, such as A+D, Desitin or petroleum jelly
- Increase air time for those cute little buns
Runny Nose and/or Drooling
We’ll tackle these together because the biggest problem with moisture becomes chapped skin. Do your best to keep their nose, mouth and chin dry and apply some vaseline or aquaphor to help with some of the chafing.
Rash
Rashes should not be coupled up with teething, unless you’re talking about redness around their mouth or neck which is likely from the drooling, which is definitely caused by teething. Rashes are common with viruses and are usually harmless but they are hard to assess without being seen. Give the doctor a call and go from there.
Everything we’ve discussed today is covered in the Kinsa app for you. Just update your baby’s symptoms and temp in the app and I’ll help you along. Wishing you and your little one well!
