Often from mothers of babies you can hear: “My baby is 3 months old, drooling so profusely that I worry - is this normal? Is it so for all babies? ”
Let's look at the causes of this phenomenon, is it necessary or not worth fighting against? It also happens that a child is 2 months old, drooling in a continuous stream, and parents, at a loss, sort out the possible options for their actions.
What is the reason for such a phenomenon as salivation?
Parents notice that their babies begin to blow cute bubbles in the third month of life. It was during this period that the
salivary glands formed
. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that your child (3 months) leaves a wet mark on clothes and toys. Drooling down the chin because the baby still cannot swallow them well. It may seem to a young mother that there is too much moisture. Sometimes this process occurs earlier - when the baby is 2 months old. Drooling at this age is very common. And this is considered a normal physiological phenomenon. Just the glands in such babies formed earlier. And occasionally you can hear that even a
month-old baby drool. Of course, this is not the norm, but each baby is individual. And if, besides the fact that the baby is drooling strongly, nothing else bothers him (the nose breathes, drinks and eats milk as usual, etc.), then you should not worry about anything.
Salivation is also often associated with teething, and rightly so. Of course, it's too early for three months, but as mentioned earlier, each organism is individual. In this case, there is no reason to sound the alarm if your child is 3 months old (drooling in a stream), and his gums are already swollen, which indicates the eruption of the first tooth. In this case, the child may be naughty and worse to eat. But if everything else is fine (normal stool, not fever), then do not worry. When teething, the baby can be helped if you give it a nibble on special rings or toys, and in case of severe pain and anxiety, the baby should be lubricated with gum anesthetizing gel (Holisal, Kalgel, Kamistad gel, etc.)
What is saliva for?
Young parents often think about this, taking off their next blouse from their child. It turns out that saliva is more important for infants than for adults.
Firstly, it helps digestion, as it contains enzymes, which contributes to better breakdown and assimilation of food. And also saliva softens and thins food, promotes the formation of a food lump, which is especially important when the baby begins to try harder foods.
Secondly, saliva performs a protective function. It moisturizes the oral mucosa, preventing it from drying out and cracking, and also has bactericidal properties (thanks to the substances it contains - lysozyme, lactoferrin, mucin, etc.) These characteristics are especially important, because we all know how babies like to pull in your mouth all in a row.
Thirdly, saliva plays a buffering role because it is able to neutralize alkaline and acid compounds in the oral cavity. And also it has a mineralizing effect. In saliva there are compounds of fluorine, phosphorus, calcium, which saturate tooth enamel with trace elements. But these functions will be important at a time when the child already has teeth.
How to care for a child with increased salivation?
If your child is 3 months old (drooling profusely), then you need to change clothes as needed. You can use baby bibs, then there will be no need for a continuous change of clothes. It is also necessary to wipe the face of the child with sterile gauze or soft (this is important, because the child has very delicate skin) with an ironed handkerchief as needed. In doing so, pay special attention to washing your hands regularly. Pouring boiling water over the toys and rings of the baby, which he constantly takes in his mouth, is the parents' direct responsibility.
All these measures are aimed at ensuring that the baby does not have a rash, “seizures” (cracks in the corners of the mouth that may become inflamed) and maceration do not form (this is when the skin on the face of the baby gets irritated and areas of inflammation form).
If nevertheless you notice maceration or “jams”, then in folk medicine they are recommended to be lubricated with olive, sea buckthorn, and linseed oil. You can wipe several times a day with decoctions of herbs: calendula, chamomile, sage. And after the procedure, it is necessary to wet the face and mouth of the child with a handkerchief. Of the pharmaceuticals, pediatricians recommend Bepanten. You can also lubricate with baby cream.
But now there are so many kids prone to allergies, that, if possible, it is better to consult a specialist.
Other causes of excessive salivation in infants
One of the reasons is when stomatitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane) develops in the oral cavity. With such a disease, sores or white plaque are visible on the tongue, gums, and sky. May be high body temperature. Stomatitis ulcers are very painful. Therefore, the baby often refuses to breast.
Another reason may be the onset of the disease, which occurred at a time when the child is 2 months old (drooling profusely). This may be a common ARI. Then the baby's nose is stuffed up, he sneezes, is restless. The temperature can also be increased, the baby refuses food and drink.
Abundantly drooling in a child and with helminthic invasion. Therefore, it is very important to observe the rules of personal hygiene. Usually, excessive salivation occurs at night. As a rule, there are traces on the pillow.
Also, in babies, excessive salivation can be noted with diseases of the digestive system (enterocolitis, gastritis, hepatitis) and with some neurological and mental diseases (for example, cerebral palsy, autism).
To summarize: when is it worth it to see a doctor?
A visit to the pediatrician is inevitable if, in addition to increased salivation, the child has the following symptoms: high fever, unpleasant odor from the mouth, hyperemic (reddened) and swollen gums, rashes, white bloom, wounds or pustules in the oral cavity. And parents should sound the alarm when the baby has severe diarrhea (diarrhea); if breathing is difficult with the nose, and the mouth is open almost all the time; if saliva flows more abundantly at night; if in the corners of the mouth "jams" formed, which began to fester.
Better to consult
It is recommended to contact the clinic if the child erupts a tooth, and in this place the gum is moderately hyperemic and swollen; Subfebrile (37-37.5) temperature is kept for 2-3 days; several days moderate diarrhea; if the “jams” in the corners of the mouth are not cured for a long time.
This article will help young parents determine which physiological processes are normal when their baby is 3 months old. Drooling and no other symptoms worth worrying about? So, everything is in order. Stock up with napkins and bibs. But if you have noted the other causes of salivation listed in the article, try to get an appointment with a doctor. An experienced pediatrician will examine the child, advise parents and, possibly, prescribe the correct treatment. After all, self-medication is not worth it, even when it comes to the health of an adult. And our children are too dear to us, therefore, at the first suspicion of any disease (and even just if there is any doubt), you should immediately contact a specialist.