What is fever when teething?
Teething is the process by which a baby gets its first teeth at about six months of age. This process can be accompanied by many different symptoms: These include, for example, the urge to chew, mild to severe pain, increased salivation, but also elevated temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius. Fever – i.e. temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius – can also occur. However, the fever is not directly attributable to teething. Therefore, if a fever is present, another cause, such as an infection, should definitely be ruled out.
Why does teething cause fever or is the connection a myth?
Until the fourth to sixth month of life, the baby’s immune system still benefits from the mother’s nest protection. Nest protection means that the baby still has the mother’s antibodies against pathogens in its blood. Since teething usually begins around the sixth month of life, teething usually correlates randomly with the baby’s working immune system, which must defend itself against germs for the first time on its own.
Especially during teething, babies have a chewing urge and put many things in their mouths, so that infections are encouraged. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the body temperature and how long the increased temperatures or fever persist. Teething can still be stressful for the baby and thus additionally weaken the immune system.
This in turn promotes infections. If the temperature is very high, a pediatrician should be consulted so that an infection of the baby can be clarified and treated if necessary. Thus, the fever when teething can be considered rather a myth, since teething itself does not cause a fever.
What can I do against the fever?
If the fever cannot be reduced or the child becomes unusually calm, a doctor should be consulted. You will find further measures in our article:
- Fever suppositories or paracetamol juice suitable for babies or children can be given to combat high fever.
- Calf compresses are another way to reduce fever. However, this method should not be used if the baby has chills or cold hands and feet.
- Another way to lower the fever is to put a lukewarm, damp washcloth on the forehead.
- It is also important to drink enough fluids to prevent the body from drying out.
- Furthermore, sufficient bed rest should be ensured.
- If the fever is high, the child should not be covered too warmly, otherwise there is a risk of overheating.
- What to do if your baby has a fever!
As fever is a natural defence reaction of the body and supports it in defending itself against pathogens, fever reduction should not be started too early.
However, if the fever rises above 39 degrees Celsius, a fever suppository should be given. It is also useful if the baby or child suffers severely from the fever and is restless, does not drink or can no longer sleep. A doctor should be consulted if there is any uncertainty.
