Last updated on December 6th, 2023 at 02:05 pm

Although parenting can be a joy most days, it is incredibly challenging when your little one is sick. They can’t verbally tell you what’s wrong, and it can be difficult to know what they need. Teething, which usually starts around six months, adds to the confusion as some of its early signs can look like the sniffles.

These signs can help you figure it out, so you don’t have to guess what’s going on with your baby.

Symptoms of Illness Explained

Fever: Teething can cause a mild elevation in body temperature; however, it does not spike a fever according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Temperatures above 100.4 degrees may indicate an infection. Contact your doctor if a fever reaches above 100 degrees in children younger than 12 weeks or above 102 degrees in children older than 12 weeks or fever develops with no cold or flu symptoms.

For the most accurate reading, you should check your baby\’s temperature rectally if under 6 months of age. You can read more on selecting baby thermometers here.

Runny Nose, Coughing, or Vomiting: While some people think that teething causes these symptoms, there is no evidence to support this. A runny nose with a fever and green or yellow snot especially points to a cold or a bug. Also, remember that teething babies like to chew on their hands, toys, and other objects, exposing them to germs. So your child could be getting a tooth and have a cold at the same time.

Rashes: Because teething babies produce a lot of drool, redness around their mouth or chin is common. Applying Calendula Cream can help soothe this sensitive area and keeping it dry will prevent further irritation. Rashes on other body parts are signs of a problem other than teething and should be seen by a doctor.

Refusing food: The pain and discomfort of a new tooth may interfere with a baby’s appetite. They simply don’t feel like eating because it hurts. But if they refuse to nurse or drink fluids, it’s time to call their doctor.

If the above symptoms of teething or illness don’t ease after a few days or worsen, please contact your baby’s doctor promptly.

Whether your child is stuffed up from a cold or fussy from teething pain, Boiron has you covered. Check out our full line of medicines for children and babies.