My baby is drooling a lot. What should I do?

Infants and young children usually start drooling around 3 or 4 months old, usually because their teeth begin to grow. But in addition to teething, infants may also drool because of illness. So what is going on if your baby drools so much, and what should you do?

Common factors of baby drooling

Because of teething: Teething is one of the most common reasons for babies to drool. If your child starts teething later than other babies, he or she may be more likely to drool excessively.

Colds and allergies: Sometimes, if a baby has a cold or various related allergies, it may aggravate his existing drooling problem.

Because of a viral infection: Mononucleosis can also cause excessive salivation in babies. This is a viral infection that can cause a sore throat or fever in your child and may also cause swollen lymph nodes.

Because of sinus infection: Sometimes, if a baby has a sinus infection, it may also cause excessive drooling. This is because the baby may have a blocked nose and cannot breathe, causing him to drool frequently with his mouth open.

Reasons why babies drool

Tonsillar abscesses: Peritonsillar abscesses are a symptom of infection that accumulates near your baby's tonsils. Since it affects swallowing, it can also cause your baby to drool excessively.

Strep throat: If your baby has strep throat, it can also cause increased drooling due to a sore throat. Your child may also have a fever or chills and a sore throat when swallowing.

Tonsillitis: Sometimes your baby's drooling may be due to inflammation of the tonsils. Inflammation of the tonsils is a symptom that can sometimes be caused by strep throat.

Caused by medication: Sometimes babies may drool due to taking certain medications. It is best to inform the doctor of this and bring the medications your baby is taking to the doctor for confirmation.

What to do if your baby drools a lot

Offer cold food: If your baby has excessive drooling due to teething, give him some cold food to soothe his gums. Always supervise your baby while he is eating to avoid choking.

Keep your baby's lips closed: Keep your baby's lips closed and chin up, especially when eating. This will help your child swallow better and avoid drooling.

Limit sweets: Limit the amount of sugary or overly sweet foods your baby eats. Eating foods that are too sweet may cause excessive saliva secretion, which can make your baby unable to swallow and cause drooling.

Keep it clean and dry: Excessive drooling may cause acne around your baby's lips and chin, so make sure your child's mouth is always clean and dry, and wipe it clean regularly with a handkerchief.