In my work as a baby sleep consultant, I have found that teething is blamed more than anything else for worsening a baby’s sleep. On nearly every consultation I have had with parents, teething and sleeping gets discussed.
It’s understandable! Your baby will sprout 20 teeth in their first 3-4 years. And for some babies, teething can be a painful process.
As parents, we want to comfort our babies if they are in pain. But many parents wonder whether teething is the cause of their baby waking up at night or taking short naps, or why their toddler is waking at 5 am, or something else.
How often does teething affect a baby’s sleep? And how long does it last? What can parents do to help their teething baby sleep well? Can I sleep train while my baby is teething?
This article explains the signs of baby teething and provides you with tried and tested advice for keeping your baby comfortable and sleeping well while sprouting new pearly whites.
What you’ll learn:
- When do babies start teething?
- How long does teething pain last?
- Signs and symptoms of teething
- How to help a teething baby sleep well
When do babies start teething?
Most babies start teething between 4 to 7 months old. Every baby is on their own timeline, though. My daughter’s first tooth emerged at 4 months old! And my son didn’t start teething until he turned 7 months old.
Most toddlers have all of their teeth by 30 months old, but again this timeline can vary.
How long does teething pain last for babies?
An interesting research study from Brazil showed that although irritability, increased salivation, runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, rash, and sleep disturbance were associated with primary tooth eruption these symptoms are only present the day before and the day after tooth eruption.
More severe symptoms, such as fever, were not attributed to teething.
So even though your baby may show signs of teething for several days, research shows that teething is painful for babies only during the 1-2 days of tooth eruption. Once the tooth has erupted and you can see it, the most painful stage is over!
Signs and Symptoms of Teething
So how do you actually tell if your baby is teething? This can be tricky because some babies only show general signs like increased fussiness.
This in-depth study showed the common signs of teething that were seen in infants around the period of teething, but not for prolonged periods.
Here is a list of common signs and symptoms of teething. Your baby may have all of these signs or just a few of them.
Sign #1 – Irritability
A sudden change in your baby’s mood with no other obvious reason could mean that they are teething.
The pain associated with teething causes irritability and is often most uncomfortable for your baby’s first teeth and their molars.
Sign #2 – Drooling/skin rashes
Teething causes extra saliva production and drooling which can cause a rash due to extra bacteria on your baby’s skin. The rash is most commonly seen around the mouth, cheeks, chin and neck area.
Sign #3 – Coughing
Occasional coughing can occur during teething due to increased saliva production. However, if your baby is coughing a lot and having other cold/flu symptoms, then it’s probably a sign that they are sick rather than teething.
Sign #4 – Biting and Gnawing
Biting and gnawing can help to put pressure on the gums and lessen some of the discomfort from teething.
Biting and gnawing are also a common developmental stage in babies as they have a lot of sensory input from their mouths so this alone doesn’t necessarily signify teething.
Sign #5 – Low Grade Fever
A low grade fever is classified as a fever between 98-100F (36.6-37.7C). The inflammatory response can cause a slight elevation in body temperature as documented in a review of teething symptoms by the AAP.
Fevers over 100.4F (38C) are not associated with teething. Instead, they are a sign that your baby is sick and should see a doctor.
Sign #6 – Cheek rubbing and ear pulling
Pain from the gums can travel to the cheek and ears and cause discomfort for your baby. Some babies try to relieve this discomfort by pulling on their ears or rubbing their cheeks.
If you notice your baby pulling their ears and having a fever, it could be due to an ear infection. In this case, it’s best to have your baby seen by a doctor.
Sign #7 – Loose stools
Increased saliva production can cause loose stools. Loose stools mean a couple of slightly wetter stools that are still formed and not predominantly liquid. One or two loose stools (in a baby who is eating well) might be a sign of teething.
If your baby has very watery stools or diarrhea, it’s best to get this checked out by their doctor as it increases the risk of dehydration.
What are the signs of teething?
Signs |
Not Signs |
|
✅Irritability ✅Increased drooling ✅Occasional coughing ✅Increased chewing and gnawing ✅Ear pulling ✅Reduced interest in solid foods |
❌High grade fever (greater than 100.4F/38C) ❌Diarrhea ❌Inconsolable and prolonged crying ❌Cold or flu symptoms |
How to Help a Teething Baby Sleep Well
Soothing your teething baby so they can feel as comfortable as possible can improve their sleep. I always recommend giving extra comfort if your baby is harder to settle and waking more often.
So what can you do to help your teething baby sleep well?
Here are my top tips.
Tip #1 – Numb the gums
The best way to help reduce inflammation and pain for your baby’s swollen gums is by offering them something cool.
For example, giving your baby a chilled washcloth while you read them a book at bedtime can help to numb their gums, relieve pain, and help them to drift off to sleep more easily.
My Top Tip:
How it helps:
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Tip #2 – Offer teething rings
There are soothing teething rings you can purchase to relieve your baby’s discomfort. Your baby biting on the teething ring will apply pressure to their gums which helps to alleviate some pain and discomfort.
Here are some of my favorite teething rings.
Top Tip: Keep your teething rings in the fridge so they are chilled and ready when you need them.
Tip #3 – Wipe away excess drool
The extra saliva and drool produced during teething can make your baby’s skin sore. Gently wiping it away with a soft cloth can help to prevent rashes and discomfort.
Also, if your baby has a rash, use a barrier cream like Aquaphor.
Tip #4 – Continue with your bedtime routine
Keep up with your baby’s relaxing bedtime routine because this can help them settle and calm down for sleep, even if they are in pain.
Your baby’s bedtime routine should include lots of cuddles, kisses and a breastfeed (or bottle feed) which allow your little one to get the reassurance they need to wind down. Make sure your baby’s bedtime routine includes activities to help them relax (rather than get revved up and excited).
Tip #5 – Give over-the-counter medication
If your baby is clearly in pain, fussy, and struggling to relax and sleep well, you may want to give them an over-the-counter pain medication.
Tylenol (paracetamol) and Motrin (ibuprofen) are commonly used to help relieve teething symptoms in babies and toddlers. Motrin is an anti-inflammatory medication (and my preference) but can only be given to babies 6 months and older. Make sure to ask your baby’s doctor for a recommendation specific to your baby.
Make sure to give your baby their medication 30-45 minutes before it’s time to sleep, ensuring that it has had time to kick in so they can relax easier and it can help with their teething pain at night.
Tip #6 – Remind yourself that this phase is temporary!
Seeing your baby in pain, combined with disrupted sleep for the two of you can feel totally overwhelming. I’ve been there!
Recruit help from friends and loved ones so you can get a break. And try to remember that this phase is temporary.
Remember that the painful stage of teething lasts only a few days and if your baby’s sleep has been disrupted for longer than 3-4 days, it may be due to new habits or illness rather than teething.
Wrapping up
It’s so exciting to watch your baby grow up and sprout their first teeth, but it can also pull on the parental heartstrings to see your little one in pain and exhausted from disrupted sleep.
Hopefully I have reassured you that teething pain and disrupted sleep are normal and last only a few days at a time.
The tips from this article can help to keep your baby as comfortable as possible while they are teething and sleep well, too.
Providing pain relief as well as sticking to a relaxing bedtime routine and consistent schedule can help you sail through teething as smoothly as possible.
While teething is “just a phase”, you and your baby certainly don’t have to grin and bear it. These tips should help provide comfort during the teething process!
If your baby’s sleep has been disrupted for a few weeks (or more), my gentle sleep training program can help you get your baby sleeping great at night… even during teething!
Teething and sleep training just need to be tackled in the best way for your baby, which my program helps with!
Also, always trust your parental intuition! You know your baby best! If something feels “off” and your baby is intensely crying, has a high fever, lots of nighttime restlessness or any other concerning symptoms, please get them checked out by a medical professional.
FAQs
How to get a teething baby to sleep?
Cool compresses and teething rings can help to numb the gums and help with discomfort. Stick to your normal relaxing bedtime routine and follow the tips in this article. Sleep training your baby can help them get through teething and illness more easily.
How long does teething pain last for?
The acute, painful stage of teething lasts only 1-2 days, when the tooth is erupting through the gums. If your baby’s pain is lasting longer than 1-2 days, check in with a doctor.
Can I sleep train when my baby is teething?
I don’t recommend sleep training while teething when your baby is in pain or sick. But if the painful stage of teething has passed and your baby is struggling with sleep, you can begin sleep training with my gentle sleep training program here.
Do babies sleep more when teething?
Baby’s sleep can be more disrupted during teething due to pain so they may sleep longer overall.
Teething can affect babies less when they are sleep trained. Learn how in my flexible and effective sleep training program here.
Does teething make babies tired?
Pain from teething can cause disrupted sleep and make babies more tired and grumpy during the day. Disrupted night sleep may also result in long naps during the day.
Sticking to your relaxing bedtime routine, and following my tips from this article can help your baby have less disrupted sleep.
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