How To Help a Teething Baby Sleep At Night?

Teething can be a difficult time for both babies and parents. Teeth can squeeze delicate gums during teething, often causing discomfort and pain for babies, and sleep also can become a challenge.

For many parents, watching their little one struggle to find rest can be exhausting and worrying. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help teething babies sleep better at night. From calming therapies to simple daily adjustments, these strategies can ensure that both babies and parents get the rest they need. 

In this blog, we'll dive into some ways and home remedies to ease teething babies' discomfort so everyone can sleep soundly at night.

• When do babies start teething?
• Signs of teething in babies
• Home remedies for teething baby at night
• FAQs
• Conclusion

When do babies start teething?

Babies usually start teething around six months. However, this can vary from person to person. Some babies may start teething at three months of age, while others may not start teething until they are closer to a year old.

It is important to remember that the timing of your baby's teething may vary and this is normal. Therefore, there is no need to worry if your baby hasn't started teething yet - it will happen naturally in time.

Here's a simple baby teeth chart:

Baby Teeth Chart

Tooth Name	Typically Erupts
Central Incisors	Around 6-12 months
Lateral Incisors	Around 9-13 months
Canine Teeth	Around 16-23 months
First Molars	Around 13-19 months
Second Molars	Around 22-33 months

Note: These are just approximate ages and every baby is different. Some babies may be teething earlier or later than these typical ranges. If you have questions about your baby's dental development, it's best to consult your pediatric dentist.

Signs of teething in babies

How do I know that my baby is teething? Here are some common signs of teething in babies:

Increased drooling:

When babies are teething, they tend to produce more saliva than usual. Excessive drooling can lead to wet chins and clothing. Teething stimulates the production of saliva, which leads to more drooling.

Chewing on objects: 

Teething babies will often chew on anything they can get for relief. This may include toys, fingers, and even household items. Chewing creates counter-pressure on the gums and helps relieve some of the discomfort caused by teething.

Irritability and fussiness: 

Teething can make your baby uncomfortable, which can lead to irritability. They may cry more than usual or have trouble settling down during naps and bedtime. This irritability may be caused by the pain and discomfort associated with teething.

Swollen or sore gums: 

As your baby's teeth begin to push out of the gums, the gums may swell. You may notice redness or swelling around the area where the tooth erupted. Your baby may also rub the gums or try to bite down on them to relieve some of the discomfort.

Changes in eating habits: 

Teething can affect your baby's appetite and eating habits. Some babies may eat less frequently or for shorter periods of time due to the discomfort of sucking. Others may seek comfort through nursing or bottle feeding more often than usual. In addition, teething babies may prefer softer or cooler foods, which can help soothe sore gums.

Disrupted sleep patterns: 

The discomfort associated with teething can disrupt your baby's sleep patterns. Your babies may have frequent nighttime awakenings during the night and difficulty falling asleep peacefully. When your little one has teething discomfort, he or she may have trouble sleeping soundly or wake up earlier than usual. This sleep disruption can also cause your baby to be more irritable and restless during the day.

Pulling ears or rubbing cheeks: 

Sometimes, babies will pull on their ears or rub their cheeks when teething. This behavior can be a sign of referred pain, as sore gums can affect the ears and cause discomfort in both areas.

However, be sure to consult a professional doctor to rule out other potential causes of ear pain, such as infection.

Slight fever: 

Some babies may have a slight fever during teething. This low fever is usually considered normal and is caused by inflammation of the teeth during teething. However, if your baby has a high fever or is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice to rule out other possible causes.

These signs of teething can vary from one baby to another, and not all babies will experience every symptom. However, recognizing these common signs can help parents identify when their baby is teething and provide appropriate comfort and care to help relieve their baby’s discomfort.

Home remedies for teething baby at night

After knowing the signs of teething, then How do soothe a teething baby and help him sleep at night? It’s time to get some home remedies for your teething baby at night.

Offer cold teething toys or objects: 

Offering your baby something cold to chew on will help numb their gums and ease teething pain. You can try giving your baby a teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator, a cold washcloth, or even a clean, cold spoon. But don't freeze teething toys as they may be too hard for your baby's gums.

Gently massage the gums: 

Massaging your baby's gums with a clean finger can help ease teething discomfort. Gently press your baby's gums with a clean finger in a circular motion. This helps soothe soreness and temporarily relieves teething pain. Make sure your hands are clean before massaging your baby's gums to avoid bacteria.

Offer cold food or cold drinks: 

If your baby has started eating solids, you can offer them cold, soft foods such as yogurt or fruit purees. The cooler temperature will help soothe their gums and provide nutrition at the same time. You can also offer your baby a cold, wet washcloth to suck on if they are not yet eating solids.

Comforting bedtime routine: 

Establishing a soothing bedtime routine can help teething babies relax and fall asleep more easily. This may include warm baths, gentle massages, and reading a book. A consistent bedtime routine can signal to your baby that it's time to go to bed, which will make it easier for him to fall asleep at night despite the discomfort of teething. 

Give comfort and cuddles: 

Teething babies need a little extra love and comfort from parents. Cuddling or gently rocking can help to soothe and reassure them during this uncomfortable time. Babies will feel safer and more relaxed, which makes it easier for them to fall asleep.

Use over-the-counter pain relievers: 

If your baby is particularly uncomfortable, you can talk to a pediatrician about using over-the-counter pain relievers formulated specifically for infants. Medications can help reduce inflammation and teething pain.

FAQs

Q: Does teething get worse at night?

A: Yes, for some babies, teething can get worse at night. Because things during the day can help distract babies from the discomfort of teething. But there are not many distractions at night.

Q: Does a pacifier help with teething?

A: Yes. Pacifiers provide safe, soothing sucking for teething babies, which can provide relief from discomfort. The sucking action also can distract your baby from the discomfort of teething and provide comfort.

Q: How long do sleepless teething nights last?

A: The length of time that each baby is sleepless during teething can vary greatly. For some babies, teething discomfort may last only a few days or a week, while for others it may last for weeks or even months. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, helping a teething baby fall asleep at night can be challenging for parents. While the discomforts of teething may temporarily disrupt sleep, this phase is temporary and will eventually pass. Parents can help teething babies get through this milestone easily with effective home remedies.