5 Ways to Help Your Teething Baby Sleep Better
Babies and toddlers will cut teeth on and off until around age 3, so it's not uncommon for teething to affect sleep throughout the early years.
You might hear that teething is the absolute worst and the sleep routines you’ve worked so hard on will fall apart.
Take it from a baby sleep specialist: teething doesn’t automatically disrupt sleep.
If sleep suddenly gets worse during teething, here’s how to help a teething baby sleep better.
When Does Teething Start?
On average, babies don’t start teething until 6 months. Many parents mistake the development of salivary glands and babies exploring objects with their mouths for early signs of teething at 4 months. This isn’t the case.
1. Understand When Teething Is Actually Causing Discomfort
Some babies are quite sensitive to teething discomfort, and others don’t show signs of teething at all, leaving parents surprised when they notice teeth popping through the gums.
Some signs of teething are:
Excessive drooling
Rosy cheeks
Raised gums
Fussiness
Small rise in temperature (not classified as a fever)
Interrupted sleep
How long does teething last?
Peak discomfort and sleep disruption is typically seen when the tooth breaks through the gum, meaning only one to three nights of disrupted sleep. Teething is very unlikely to cause weeks of disrupted sleep.
Cortisol, a natural anti-inflammatory hormone, is lower at night, so teething discomfort is more noticeable. You may see extra wake-ups from discomfort as well as tougher settling.
If your child's sleep is still significantly disrupted more than a week later, something other than teething might be responsible.
2. Offer Something Cool to Chew On
Coldness feels good on sore gums. Give them something cold to chew on during the day or as part of your bedtime routine for temporary relief.
Ideas:
Frozen washcloth
Watermelon or cucumber (age-permitting)
Frozen fruit in a mesh feeder
3. Give Extra Comfort When Your Child Needs It
Some children will need a little more soothing at sleep times when their gums are uncomfortable.
This could look like:
Extra feeds during the day (sucking is a natural pain relief)
Cuddling
Rocking
Singing
Gently rubbing their back
Comforting your child beyond your normal bedtime routine won’t ruin their sleep habits. Just remember to keep familiar bedtime cues and environments so your child knows it’s time for sleep. Extra support is temporary and sometimes needed as they teethe.
4. Consider Homeopathic Pain Relief Options
Homeopathic medicine uses tiny, highly diluted doses of natural substances that can trigger the body to start healing itself. This is a great option if you don’t want to give your child traditional pain relief medicine, like Tylenol. I recommend Wellements Tooth Oil.
If your child appears to be in significant discomfort, talk with their pediatrician about appropriate pain-relief options, and follow age- and weight-based dosing recommendations.
5. Pay Attention to Your Child's Individual Sensitivity
Kids experience teething differently. One child may be miserable when a tooth comes through, while another may barely notice.
Not every sleep disruption, fussiness, or night waking is related to teething. Look at what is actually happening with your child:
Are they showing signs of gum discomfort during the day?
Are they chewing more than usual, drooling more, or seeming bothered when you touch their gums?
Does the fussiness seem to coincide with a tooth actively coming through?
Those clues can help you determine whether teething is actually affecting them.
It's also helpful to consider whether the sleep change makes sense in the context of their overall behavior. If your child is otherwise acting like themselves and seems comfortable during the day, but suddenly starts waking at night, teething may not be the explanation.
Teething Should Be Temporary
A rough night or a few difficult nights around the time a tooth breaks through can happen. But ongoing sleep disruption isn't something you should necessarily chalk up to teething.
If sleep continues to be disrupted for more than about a week, consider whether another issue could be contributing.
Things like:
Illness
Sleep schedule issue
Lack of routine
Developmental changes
Other sources of discomfort
If sleep problems persist beyond the expected teething period, it may be worth looking at the bigger sleep picture.
Teething Doesn't Have to Mean Bad Sleep
Teething is a normal, recurring part of early childhood, but it doesn't automatically mean your child's sleep will fall apart. Some kids are more sensitive to cutting teeth than others.
Focus on your child's actual level of discomfort, offer more comfort as needed, and keep their normal sleep routine as consistent as possible.
Take it from my client Cassie:
“Ella made a huge difference in our lives. We went from getting up with our little one every 45 minutes to one waking a night, and sometimes none. What I appreciated the most about Ella was how personal and individual the process was. I would recommend Ella to anyone looking for gradual and effective tools for good sleep.”
If the sleep disruption lasts longer than you'd expect from teething, don't keep waiting for the next tooth to pop out to confirm your suspicions.
Help your baby sleep as best as they can while dealing with teething discomfort. Reach out for some support.
To better sleep,
EllaMeet Ella, Baby Sleep Consultant
Ella is an expert baby sleep consultant based in Brooklyn. Ella offers premier newborn, baby, and toddler sleep consultant services locally to New York City parents and virtually to parents across the globe, ensuring restful nights and happier families everywhere.
