My Baby Is Drooling a Lot? 5 Alarming Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
My Baby Is Drooling a Lot? Drooling is a common and completely normal phenomenon if it does not bother the baby. Caring mothers will always help and wipe away the baby’s drool, but perhaps this is not enough. Let’s figure out why a baby drools, whether it is a sign of some complication and how to help the child cope with it.
Physiology of salivation
Salivary fluid is produced by salivary glands, the work of which is regulated by certain nerves, and the process of swallowing saliva is a reflex. Saliva itself is almost 99% water. The salivary glands begin their work even before birth, in the mother’s womb. Active salivation occurs at about 1-2 months of age, and closer to two years, the work of the salivary glands is completely normalized and salivation takes on its routine state. Therefore, if a baby starts drooling at one month, this is normal, this is how the body adjusts its work.
Why do we need saliva?
- It protects the oral cavity: it moisturizes the oral mucosa and protects it from harmful microorganisms, and also maintains a normal acid-base balance.
- Saliva is involved in digestive processes: it softens food in the mouth, making chewing and swallowing easier.
- Participates in speaking: moistens the tongue, thereby stimulating its motor skills.
- Protects tooth enamel: washes away food debris between teeth, normalizes acidity that damages enamel.
Normally, a healthy person produces up to 2 liters of saliva per day. These indicators are very individual. However, you can tell that a baby has increased salivation “by eye”, then the saliva flows regardless of food intake and the child does not have time to swallow it.
Why my baby is drooling a lot?
Excessive salivation in babies can be caused by various reasons. Most often, they are quite normal and natural for a baby:
Establishing salivation processes . In this case, saliva can be produced in large quantities at the sight and smell of food. This is how the body trains itself to properly digest food, which first needs to be chewed, and for this, saliva is needed.
Teething . The most common cause of strong drooling in infants after two months. This is a normal phenomenon and a kind of reaction of the body to the imminent appearance of teeth.
But there may also be reasons of a pathological nature:
Individual characteristics . Pediatricians and dentists note that in some cases increased salivation may be associated with the tone of the tongue and lips, the structure of the jaw, and the intake of necessary medications.
Diseases. Yes, in some cases, you should pay special attention to what seems to be simple drooling. After all, strong salivation can indicate some diseases that also occur in infants:
- oral problems: gingivitis, stomatitis
- Gastrointestinal problems: pancreatitis, enteritis, hepatitis, gastritis
- problems with the nervous system: overexcitation, stress, congenital injuries, cerebral palsy
- Candidiasis is a fungal disease that can occur even in newborns
- Injuries: These usually occur in older children, but infants can also injure their gums or palate, which can cause drooling
- parasitic diseases: worms cause increased saliva production, children of any age are at risk, especially those living and in contact with animals
- allergic reactions: infants may salivate when in contact with dust, in older children this may be a reaction to food
- Intoxication or poisoning of any form (medicines, chemicals) provokes the production of saliva to cleanse the body of the toxin.
Usually, excessive salivation in a baby has natural, physiological causes, so there is no need to worry. You should pay close attention to excess saliva if:
- the baby refuses to eat
- the usual routine is disrupted and the child cannot sleep
- the baby is capricious, cries, something is clearly bothering him
- temperature above 38 o
Which doctor should I see if my baby is drooling a lot?
If you think that the drooling is too much, the child is clearly unwell, it is better to consult a pediatrician. The specialist will be able to help and determine whether the strong production of saliva is a reaction of the small organism to some diseases. But in most cases, drooling is a harbinger of the imminent appearance of the first teeth.
Helping (My Baby Is Drooling a Lot)
Most often, drooling does not bother the baby, he may be worried about the consequences, such as wet clothes, skin irritation, or sore gums if the drooling is due to teething. How can you help?
1. Blot excess saliva with a soft tissue. It is important not to rub, but to gently blot the saliva so as not to irritate the baby’s delicate skin.
2. Use bibs. They are designed to absorb dripping saliva and keep clothes dry. Just remember to change the bib to a dry and clean one in time.
3. Relieve teething symptoms. Special teething toys and children’s gum gels have proven themselves well in this matter. The teether should be selected for the child or even buy several to choose from. It is better to choose a gel on a natural basis, since the use of gels based on analgesics and anesthetics is not recommended for children under one year. Dentinale® natura teething gel does not contain anesthetics and analgesics, and the pain-relieving effect is achieved due to a perfectly selected composition of plant extracts. The gel contains boswellia, an anesthetic plant that effectively relieves pain, chamomile, known for its wound-healing effect, and aloe vera juice, which is a plant antiseptic.
Teething gel reduces discomfort in the gums during teething and has a pleasant, unobtrusive taste, and is also harmless when swallowed.
4. If skin irritation occurs, apply a cream containing retinol, vitamin E or despanthenol to the red areas.
5. Maintain hygiene so that your baby does not put dirty toys and hands in his mouth. Pathogenic bacteria with saliva have a greater chance of getting into the body.
6. Pay attention to the condition and behavior of the baby; if you think that the child is unwell, consult a doctor.
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