How To Manage Baby Drool
Many parents report that their babies begin to drool around three months of age. At this time your baby may also begin to blow bubbles with their excess saliva.
In this article, you’ll learn why your baby is drooling, when you need to see a healthcare provider because of the drool, tips for managing the drool plus any drool rash, and when to expect the drooling to stop.
Why Is My Baby Drooling?
You may begin to notice your baby drooling around two to three months of age. It is around this time that the salivary glands begin to become active. This often leads to excess saliva. This excess saliva combined with a lack of teeth (in the front of the mouth) and poor neck muscle control for swallowing, can result in drooling.
Many well-intentioned friends and family members, as well as your healthcare provider, may tell you it means baby is teething.
Though teething is often accompanied by drool, it is not an absolute sign that baby is beginning teething. Learn the signs and symptoms, plus the best natural remedies here.
When To Take Baby To The Doctor
Excess drool in itself is not a reason to call your child’s healthcare provider. However, there are a few symptoms that you may see with excess drool that signal a call to the pediatric provider is necessary.
If your baby is showing any signs of difficulty breathing. Signs of difficulty breathing may include:
- A high pitched noise when your baby breathes
- Your baby’s lips turning purple or blue.
- The chest rise and fall looking more pronounced.
New onset of constant or severe cough accompanied by the drool.
If your baby has a fever, which is a temperature of 100.4 or greater.
If your baby has a significant rash, that is not a teething rash.
Excessive crying or fussiness that is not within your baby’s norm.
Baby refusing to eat.
If your baby is not having wet diapers.
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How to help manage baby drool
There are a few things you can get to help manage your baby’s drool. Many of the suggestions below are the same ones used for teething babies. This is due to the fact that the drool may be related to teething, and sore and/or irritated gums.
Some of these suggestions can also be found in my article here about newborn essentials and this article about teething.
Purchase A Teether
My personal favorite teethers are made from all-natural rubber. Sola the Goat and Mia the Lamb are made from all-natural rubber and in a shape that babies enjoy.
These teethers do not have any holes. Meaning water cannot enter the teether, greatly reducing the risk of mold. Additionally, these teethers are certified to be free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, and nitrosamines. They also use food-grade based paints.
My children and everyone that I have gifted one of these teethers to have absolutely loved them! There is something about their shape and flexibility that babies enjoy.
I also like solid wood teething toys. However, my children not would take to the wooden teethers that I introduced to them.
Use Silicone Teething Beads
Teething beads are made from 100% medical grade silicone. These beads can be made into a necklace or a teething toy.
A teething necklace is worn on an adult’s neck. While you’re holding your baby they can pick up the necklace and chew on the special teething beads. This is one of my favorite teething necklaces. However, with many different styles available you should be able to find one that fits your personality.
There are many different types of teething rings made with silicone teething beads. Some are to be held in your baby’s hand, like this one. Others tether onto your baby carrier or stroller, like this.
As with all jewelry and teething toys, you will need to inspect it each time before putting it on.
Buy a baltic amber necklace
Baltic amber is a fossilized tree resin that is found in areas near the Baltic Sea. The beads of the necklace are not to be chewed. They should be worn directly on the skin.
When the beads are worn directly on the skin, the beads are able to warm up and release succinic acid. Succinic acid helps decrease both inflammation and pain. The acid is absorbed by the skin as it is released from the beads.
You may hear mixed opinions regarding Baltic amber necklaces. I have used Baltic amber necklaces on myself and all of my children.
I encourage everyone that places a baltic amber necklace on their child to practice safe jewelry wear. Safe jewelry wear means removing the necklace for sleep or when the child will not be fully supervised. I would also suggest removing the necklace when the child is riding in the car seat and putting it back on when you arrive at your destination.
The majority of our Baltic amber necklaces come from this company, but we have also purchased from this one. If you choose to purchase from another company, be sure to research that it is genuine Baltic amber.
You also want to only purchase necklaces that are made to break with tension, to prevent strangulation. Additionally, the necklace should include knots between each bead. This will prevent beads from falling off the necklace if it breaks.
Use a drool bib
The drool bib will not reduce the amount of drool your baby has. However, it will help to protect your baby’s clothing. Any bib will do but these are some of my favorites.
Massage their gums
Many babies experience pain and irritation on their gums. This can occur months prior to their first tooth erupting. To help ease the discomfort you can massage your baby’s gums using a clean dry finger. Simply rub your finger back and forth on their gums, using the same motion you would use if brushing your teeth with your finger.
Drool Rash
What is a drool rash?
Sometimes the excess saliva can cause a rash on the baby’s skin. The rash can be referred to as a teething rash or drool rash. This rash is most often seen on the face, chest, and/or neck. A teething rash is typically red in color and may look like chapped skin. I have also seen pink bumps on a baby’s cheeks or chin due to drool.
How to prevent a drool rash
The best way to prevent this rash from occurring is by using the above items to try to reduce drool and by wiping the drool from the skin frequently.
How to treat a drool rash
You can also try applying a balm to the skin if you notice that it looks like a rash is beginning to form. I personally prefer to keep the balm as simple and non-toxic as possible.
My favorite would be this Alaffia shea butter. It is pure unrefined shea butter and contains no additional ingredients, making it safe for both you and baby. I always keep a container of this stuff in my bathroom, as it has multiple uses.
When Do Babies Stop Drooling?
Most babies will stop having excess drool by two to three years of age. At this point, most of their primary teeth and molars have come in. By this age, they also are able to effectively swallow excess saliva.
Baby Drool
Have you had a baby that drools a lot? What is your favorite tip on this list? Do you have a favorite tip I didn’t include?
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