Is Teething Poop or Diarrhea Real? Here's the Truth

Have you noticed a connection between teething symptoms and the contents of your little one's diaper? If so, you may be wondering, does teething cause diarrhea?, or is teething poop even a thing? Let's find out.

Thankfully, the short answer is no.

While teething sometimes coincides with diarrhea, it's not a root cause, and the medical community has disproved this widely-held belief. The standard theory is that, because babies drool so much during teething, some of that drool ends up in their poop — making it looser and more discolored. But this isn't something that actually happens, and doctors have a word of warning: associating diarrhea with teething can make you miss the real cause of your baby's tummy troubles. [1]

If your baby is experiencing teething and diarrhea simultaneously, these should be treated as separate issues. Signs of diarrhea shouldn't be ignored, as they can lead to dehydration or other serious medical problems.

📝 In this article:

What is teething?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most infants show signs of teething between 4 and 7 months. And as your little one's pearly whites start appearing, they may experience some discomfort and irritability. [2]

The tell-tale signs of teething are:

• Drooling: Who knew such a tiny being could produce so much saliva? Their clothes may become damp with the amount of drool they're making, so it's handy to have a spare set of baby grows and baby wipes on hand during this time!
• Biting: To relieve the pain of teething, your little one might start reaching for anything and everything to put in their mouth. They may be chewing or biting their toys, which is totally standard behavior in teething babies.
• Rash: If there's a lot of drool, a rash may begin to appear on your baby's cheeks. This can often be treated by keeping the area clean and applying moisturizer to the affected area.
• Sore, red gums where the tooth is coming through.
• A mild fever (less than 100.4°F), flushed cheeks, or lots of ear pulling.
• Fussiness: Being more fretful or irritable than usual — or, occasionally, no pain or discomfort at all. Yes, it happens!

The American Academy of Pediatrics also warns against linking certain behaviors in your baby with teething when it could be something else entirely. [3]

Signs not linked to teething

• A high temperature: If your baby's temperature increases significantly, keep a close eye on them. This is not a symptom of teething and could point to a more serious illness. If your baby has a fever, seek medical assistance.
• Diarrhea, diaper rash, and runny noses: These are often attributed to "teething" when, in reality, there's no link — just timing in terms of development. Diarrhea is not a teething symptom.

Incorrectly associating these symptoms with teething could cause a delay in treatment — and that's the last thing you want. So why do so many people believe there's a link between baby teething and diarrhea?

Will teething cause diarrhea?

It may sound a bit backward but, at six months, your baby is more susceptible to picking up germs than they were immediately after birth. When first born, babies gain "passive immunities" from their mamas through the placenta. But as their immune system is exposed to new bacteria, viruses, and illnesses, they may experience fever, diarrhea, and other symptoms. [4]

Here's the kicker: six months is also around the time babies start teething — and, for most, when they start trying solid foods too (check out the feeding timetable and the teething timetable). With changes to food come changes to poop — totally normal — and that's likely why so many people previously connected baby teething with diarrhea.

So teething itself doesn't directly cause diarrhea, but that doesn't mean there isn't an indirect link.

How does teething indirectly lead to diarrhea?

As your baby teethes, they'll chew everything in sight — fingers, toys, clothes — for some much-needed pain relief. And since babies still have a developing immune system, putting objects that could harbor harmful bacteria into their mouths can make them unwell, causing symptoms including diarrhea.

Keeping any teething-soothing aids that your baby may chew on clean is the best way to prevent exposure to harmful germs.

What actually causes baby diarrhea?

So if teething isn't the culprit, what is? A few possibilities:

• Sensitivity to food: Whether it's something new, solid food for the first time, or difficulty digesting a specific ingredient — take things slow when introducing new foods and see how your baby reacts.
• Sensitivity to milk: Dairy can upset baby tummies, whether it's in their new foods, in formula, or even in your diet if you're breastfeeding.
• Viruses and bacteria: The most common cause of baby diarrhea at this age. They're putting everything in their mouths, so it makes sense. Usually, it's nothing to worry about.
• Medications: Antibiotics in particular tend to cause upset tummies.
• Just one of those things: Sometimes, diarrhea just happens.

What's in a poop?

The health of your baby is often reflected in their diapers — just as adults notice changes in their stool when something is amiss, babies do too. The difference? They can't tell you when something is wrong, so it's handy to know what to look out for.

Stages of baby poop

• Your baby's first poop is known as meconium — dark black in color, potentially with a greenish hue.
• Breastfed babies will usually produce poop of a yellow, runny texture.
• Bottle-fed babies are also likely to have yellowish poop, but with a more solid texture, as they don't break down formula as easily.
• When your baby moves on to solid food, their poop will become more solid and brown in color. Whenever you decide to introduce solids, expect a change in texture and appearance.

Some babies poop after every meal; some can go a few days without a dirty diaper. Both are normal. But what counts as diarrhea?

What to look for in baby diarrhea

The signs of diarrhea can be noted in a change in your baby's stool's texture, color, frequency, and smell.

• Texture: Watery and loose. If a baby's stool is like this for three diaper changes or more, they likely have diarrhea.
• Color: Green or an unusual shade of yellow can point to diarrhea. What it shouldn't be is white, black, or red — if it is, get in touch with your doctor.
• Frequency: Needing to change your little one's diaper more often than usual could be a sign of diarrhea.
• Smell: Distinctly unpleasant — it's likely you'll be able to tell from the aroma alone that something is off.

The World Health Organization defines diarrhea as "the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual)." It also lists dehydration as the most significant threat posed to infants with diarrhea. [5]

Signs of dehydration to look out for

• Infrequent urination (less than six wet diapers a day)
• Dry mouth or lips
• No tears when crying
• Sunken spot in the center of the head
• Irritability or not playing as much as usual

And if your baby is displaying any of the following alongside diarrhea, consult your doctor immediately:

• Blood in stool
• Vomiting that lasts more than 12 hours
• Fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Swollen stomach
• Any signs of dehydration listed above
• Severe rash or jaundice

This list isn't exhaustive. If you notice any changes in your baby's behavior or you're concerned, trust your gut and talk to your doctor.

Teething poop: Myth officially busted

While teething can coincide with diarrhea, it isn't the cause. Don't pass it off as "teething diarrhea" — diarrhea can range from mild to severe, and dehydration is one of the main things to watch for.

Treatment is usually just a matter of waiting it out while keeping your baby well hydrated. But if you're at all worried, it's always worth checking in with your pediatrician.

Trust your instincts, mama. You've got this. 🫶