Can teething cause an upset stomach and sickness?

There are parents who find that their baby is sick when they are teething. This is caused by acid within their saliva which upsets their stomach causing vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

Remember: a baby produces much more saliva than normal when they are teething which leads to the infamous 'drool rash'. This extra dribble is swallowed which then irritates the stomach and leads to an upset tummy and vomiting in some cases.

Plus your baby's stomach is far more sensitive than yours.

Excess saliva is also responsible in cases of bad nappy rash or diarrhoea which is all due to excess acid. This acid has a corrosive effect on a baby's digestive system which causes all manner of problems in that area.

But an upset stomach can also be caused by your baby chewing all sorts of objects. If these objects are lying around the house then dust and bacteria will form on them which if swallowed, also cause digestive problems.

If your baby is using a teething ring or any other type of teething toy then ensure that this is kept clean to prevent the risk of an upset stomach. It is a good idea to do this with your baby's toys or any object which they enjoy chewing which also includes your fingers!

Another option is to use a teething gel instead which is applied directly onto your baby's gums. This prevents the risk of bacteria and is simple and easy to do.

It is not the teething itself which causes an upset stomach but is the side effects instead such as excess drool or bacteria ingested when chewing a teething object.

If this continues to be a problem or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, stomach ache and vomiting/diarrhoea then ask for advice from your health visitor or GP.

Find out more in our teething and vomiting article.