Teething: What's Happening, What Helps

Why does my 8-month-old drool like a faucet?

Q: My 8-month-old drools like a faucet. What causes this?

A: Your baby's body is producing more saliva because of the irritation of teething, and she hasn't yet gotten the hang of swallowing that often, says Robin Onikul, D.D.S., director of the dental clinic at Children's Mercy Hospital, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Although drool may detract from your baby's charm, Dr. Onikul points out a more immediate concern: Excessive moisture on the skin can cause facial rashes and chapping. Some parents apply a mild emollient, such as Vaseline, to create a protective moisture barrier. Another way to help, suggests James Lemons, M.D., a professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, in Bloomington, is to "use a soft cotton cloth to blot the baby's saliva rather than wipe it with a tissue, which can irritate baby skin."