Teething and Vomiting
Vomiting is a symptom of an underlying condition, rather than being a condition itself. This reflex indicates your child’s body is responding to some condition, pathogen, contaminant, or stimuli.
It’s important to remember that vomiting is different than spitting up in infants. According to the Mayo Clinic, vomiting is “forceful” and occurs when the stomach contents spit out inches instead of leaking from your child’s mouth. On the other hand, spitting up is when their stomach contents dribble from their mouth, sometimes along with a burp.
So, can teething cause vomiting? According to the Cleveland Clinic, spitting up and acid reflux are the most common causes of vomiting in infants. There is currently not good evidence to show that teething directly causes vomiting, though it may occur during the same period, as your child will go through the teething process many times.
The big question on many parents’ minds: when should you call your doctor? Vomiting is concerning if it lasts for more than a brief episode or cooccurs with other symptoms.
Symptoms to watch out for with your infant vomiting may include:
- Vomit is green in color
- Projectile vomiting
- Decreased urination (dry diapers for over 6 hours)
- Fever of 101 Fahrenheit for over 3 days (or of 102 Fahrenheit or greater for any period)
- Dehydration as indicated by no tears when crying, dry mouth, cold extremities, or an unusual lack of energy
Helpful tip: Be sure to call your pediatrician if your child has concerning symptoms, even if they fall outside of this list. They’re experts in your child’s health and can educate you on exact causes for concern and symptoms to watch out for!