A new baby's sleep can be one of the most stressful parts of parenthood. And, just when you think you've got it down, something changes and shakes up your whole routine! Sleep regression, colic, a cold... and, teething.
Teething starts around four to seven months old, probably right when you've started to find a sleep routine. It can be frustrating, but identifying the cause of your baby's trouble can help you both feel better. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to help your baby through their teething woes!
How to Tell When Your Baby Starts Teething
The first step to addressing nighttime troubles is figuring out what's going on. Sleep regression typically starts around the same time as teething, at four months of age, so understanding teething will be your best bet at helping your baby.
Teething Symptoms and Signs
- Excess or increased drool
- Sore, red gums
- Increased gnawing or chewing on things
- A mild temperature, about 98-100 degrees, possibly caused by putting fingers or items in mouth more frequently
- Rash on face
- One flushed cheek
- They rub their cheeks or pull their ears
- More fretful, restless, and impacted sleep
- Diarrhea, caused by increased drooling
Many teething symptoms are similar to signs of a cold or illness. A fever, flushing, rash, or diarrhea, can all be signs of something more serious. Consult your pediatrician in these symptoms become concerning, especially if typical teething help does not alleviate them.
How Infant Teeth Come In
Unfortunately, teething is not a one-and-done thing. Teeth appear over many months, and each tooth takes about eight days to fully come in. The good news is that not every tooth will bring the same amount of pain, so you might only have to deal with a few restless nights.
- Bottom incisors at 5-7 months old
- Upper incisors at 6-8 months old
- Upper lateral incisors at 9-11 months old
- Bottom lateral incisors at 10-12 months old
- First molars at 12-16 months
- Canines at 16-20 months
- Second molars at 20-30 months
How to Alleviate Teething Pain at Night
Sleep is so important for our baby's development and for our health. So, we want to do everything we can to help our little one through the pain for a restful night. Here are our tips to help your baby settle in:
- Try a chilled (not frozen) teething toy or wet washcloth
- Give your little one a gum massage before bed
- When your little one wakes, apply pressure to sore gums with a clean hand
- Wipe away excess droll to prevent rashes
- Add more soothing techniques like shushing, rocking, or sucking on a pacifier to distract baby from the teething pain
- Do your best to maintain a regular sleep schedule to avoid more dysregulation
- If all else fails, consider consulting your pediatrician for low doses of baby acetaminophen
What to avoid:
- Teething tablets, topical gels, and homeopathic remedies can pose dangers with unregulated or unsafe ingredients. Topicals and tablets are often ineffective because your baby drools so much the medicine washes away.
- Consider limiting pacifier use based on when you want to start weaning. Early weaning will help avoid a dependency, but you should aim to wean by three years old at the latest to prevent orthodontic issues.
- Teething jewelry can pose strangulation or choking hazards.
Help Your Baby Sleep Soundly!
Now you're ready to help your little one through their painful teething times. Just remember, your baby is a brand new person, and they're experiencing everything for the first time. Teething might be the most painful thing they've ever felt, so it's completely understandable that they're struggling to sleep.
Consider picking up a teething toy to help alleviate some pain, and remember, what works for one baby might not work for another. Work with your little one to figure out their needs, and you'll get back to a bedtime routine in no time.
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