I was always scared of when my babies would be teething. Everything I had heard indicated that it would be awful. Much to my surprise, teething really didn’t bother either of my kids.
I want you to remember that each child will experience teething differently. So, please don’t let the word “teething” bring up too many feelings of anxiety and worry for you!
Teething is often something many parents dread because of the impact it can have on a baby’s sleep.
For those parent’s of children who struggle more with teething, it can feel like the teething journy never ends and that sleep is perpetually disrupted.
Understanding Teething
Teething is a natural process which marks the emergence of baby’s first set of teeth.
Typically the teething process starts around 6 months of age and continues until about 3 years.
While it is a great milestone (& sign of growth and development), it can have a significant impact on your baby’s sleep and will often leave parents feeling frustrated and lost with what to do next.
By understanding what is going on for your child and having the right tools in place, you can confidently support them through this period with minimal disruptions in sleep.
How Does Teething Impact My Baby?
According to research, teething can lead to sleep disturbances such as:
- Increase night wakings
- Difficulty resettling to sleep
- Shorter sleep duration
- More daytime sleep
The pain association with teething generally lasts 24-72 hours prior to the tooth eruption and shortly after.
After the tooth is through the gum, most of the pain subsides. This means, sleep disturbances should only be lasting a few days at most.
How Can I Support My Baby Through the Discomfort?
- Offer teething toys to help soothe gums (cool, soft or bumpy toys).
- NEVER freeze these, freezing can really harm your baby’s gums.
- Try a cool, clean, wash cloth to gnaw on (can tie a knot at one end)
- Try a gentle massage of the gums
- Offer extra comfort (hold, cuddle, nurse…etc)
- Administer pain relievers if needed (always consult your primary healthcare provider first)
- Do not use things like amber necklaces (choking hazard) and teething gels (not for use in children).
How Can I Support My Baby’s Sleep?
Remember that each baby will handle teething differently.
What I have found, is babies with a strong sleep foundation are better able to handle the disturbances in sleep and get back on track quickly.
If you have a newborn, the best thing you can do is start working to build that sleep foundation right away! This way your little one has a strong foundation built BEFORE teething even hits. My newborn masterclass also gives you all the tools you need to build a great sleeper from day one.
If your baby is out of the newborn phase, working towards having an age appropriate sleep schedule and independent sleep skills will be key to helping them stay on track.
My private sleep packages will provide you with a step-by-step plan to help your child achieve 10-12 hours of independent sleep in the crib and predictable, restorative naps. You will have a plan that supports your family through teething, illness and any other regressions that might pop up.
3 Strategies to Keep Sleep on Track Through Teething
- Ensure you have a relaxing bedtime routine (20-30 minutes) for your child.
- Maintain regular schedule for naps and bedtime.
- Similar to illness, you may find your little one needs a bit of extra daytime sleep- this is fine. Just make sure your little one isn’t sleeping too much during the day that it will impact overnight sleep.
- Maintain a consistent approach and response to overnight wakings
If your little one is really struggling, it is OKAY to offer extra comfort when they need it. A few nights of extra support for sleep will not totally derail a great sleeper.
Make sure that once that tooth pops through you return to your usual response for night wakings.
While teething can seem scary and lead to quite a bit of anxiety for parents, but with the understanding and the right tools you will be able to successfully navigate it!
Rosalie Kassen (she/her)
Founder of Plume Sleep Solutions, Registered Nurse and Paediatric Sleep Consultant.
I work with families all over the world to bring healthy sleep habits and rest into their homes. Parenthood does not need to mean sleep deprivation, make change today and start thriving!