What Causes Spitting Excess Saliva In Infants?

Posted on Tue, 22 Jul 2014

Question: Dear Doctor,
I have 4 month old baby. Since yesterday he is spitting saliva from mouth. can you please advice on the same if it is normal or some viral issue. .I am attaching his mouth photo for better understanding.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It seems normal

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

It seems normal. It seems that he is not ingesting the saliva. If it was a viral it would be accompanied by fever and sore throat etc.

Still I would like to know about his feeding and any other symptoms apart from drooling. Is he taking breast feed or bottle feed? If bottle, then how is his formula or milk prepared? Is his immunizations upto date?

Please let me know these details, so that I am better able to help.

Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (7 minutes later)

Dear Doctor, his immunisation is proper and up to date. he plays normally and does not show any symptoms of irritation. .he is on breastfeeding and there is visibly decrease in his feeding pattern.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be safely ignored

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Drooling can be safely ignored unless he has any other symptoms.

Regarding decrease in feeding, when babies grow up their feedings get more spaced out. The reason is that they drink more milk at a time. It is good that you have not started him on formula (artificial milk)

If you feel that he is not taking adequate milk, you can start him on cerelac (rice) once a day in small quantity. He can take it only if he has developed the potential to ingest it properly. For this he should be holding his neck. Mother is better judge of it.

Hope it helps

Dr Vaishalee

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj