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😴🦷 Teething & Sleep: How to Help Your Baby Rest Comfortably

Updated: Jun 22

If your baby suddenly starts waking more at night, fussing at nap time, or chewing on everything in sight — teething may be to blame.


Teething is a natural part of development, but it often comes with sleep disruptions, crankiness, and drool-soaked everything. As a parent, it's hard watching your baby struggle — especially when no one is getting much rest.


In this guide, we’ll cover:

  • When teething starts

  • Why it affects sleep

  • Gentle ways to soothe your baby

  • What’s normal (and what’s not)




🗓️ When Does Teething Start?

Most babies start teething between 4–7 months, though some may begin earlier or later. The bottom front teeth (central incisors) usually come in first.

Teething timeline snapshot:

Age

Teeth Likely to Appear

4–7 months

Bottom central incisors

8–12 months

Top central and lateral incisors

12–16 months

First molars

16–20 months

Canines

20–30 months

Second molars

😩 Why Does Teething Disrupt Sleep?

Teething doesn’t just affect gums — it can affect the whole sleep experience. Here’s how:


  • 🔥 Gum discomfort: Throbbing pain can intensify when lying down.

  • 💧 Increased drool: Can irritate the skin or even trigger mild coughing.

  • 👶 Crankiness: Sleep disruptions lead to overtiredness, making sleep harder to come by.

  • 🍽️ Feeding disruptions: Babies might refuse bottles or breastfeeds, affecting comfort routines.

  • 🌡️ Slight temperature spikes: Not a true fever, but warm cheeks and flushed skin are common.



🧡 How to Soothe a Teething Baby for Better Sleep

1. Offer Safe Teething Relief Before Bed

  • ✅ Cold washcloth: Let baby chew a clean, damp cloth chilled in the fridge.

  • ✅ Silicone teething rings: Refrigerated (not frozen) rings can provide instant gum relief.

  • ✅ Teething toys: Choose ones that are BPA-free and easy to grip.



2. Try a Gentle Gum Massage

  • Wash your hands and gently rub baby's gums with your finger for 1–2 minutes.

  • You can do this before naps and bedtime to ease soreness.

3. Stick to the Sleep Routine

Even if sleep is rough right now, consistency helps.

  • Keep the bedtime routine predictable: bath, book, lullaby, cuddle.

  • Offer extra snuggles but avoid forming new long-term habits (like rocking to sleep if you’ve weaned from that).

  • Reassurance and routine give baby a sense of security.

4. Elevate the Head Slightly

Lying flat may worsen gum pain or congestion from drool. Use a crib wedge or place a rolled towel under the mattress (never directly under baby) for gentle elevation. Always follow safe sleep guidelines.

5. Use Pain Relief (If Needed and Doctor-Approved)

  • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies over 6 months) may be used occasionally — but only with pediatrician approval.

  • Avoid teething gels or numbing agents with benzocaine or lidocaine — these are not safe for infants.



😴 Teething Sleep Survival Tips

Problem

What You Can Try

Waking every hour

Try a cold teether or gum massage before bed

Fighting naps

Offer extra wind-down time and comfort

Not wanting to eat

Feed in a calm, distraction-free environment

Extra clinginess

Offer cuddles, babywear during the day

Short naps

Reassess wake windows — overtiredness is real!

🤒 What’s Normal vs. What’s Not?

Normal Teething Symptoms

NOT Typical (Call Doctor)

Drooling, biting, fussiness

Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)

Slight temperature increase

Diarrhea or vomiting

Flushed cheeks, chewing

Rash (beyond minor drool rash)

Trouble falling asleep

Unconsolable crying for hours



🧸 Real Parent Tip:

“We kept a ‘teething kit’ by the crib: chilled teether, and a soft bib to catch drool. It helped us survive those middle-of-the-night wakeups.”— Arpitha, mom of 7mo'


📚 SAMPLE Gentle Nap Routine for a Teething Baby


7:00 AM – Wake

9:15 AM – Nap (after teething toy + gum massage)

12:30 PM – Nap (offer cold washcloth beforehand)

3:30 PM – Optional catnap

6:30 PM – Bath, gentle massage, cold teether

7:00 PM – Bedtime



💡 Final Thoughts: Teething Is Temporary


Yes, it’s tough. But this phase doesn’t last forever — and your baby will sleep well again. With love, patience, and the right comfort tools, you can get through this together.


So breathe, cuddle your teething warrior, and know that each tooth is one step closer to a full night's sleep. However, you need not do this alone - reach me out incase you looking for help ♥️

 
 
 

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