Teething is something all our kids have to go through and most parents will say it’s not all giggles and gummy smiles. As a mum myself I’ve tackled the dribbly whingy days that come with teething
And as a sleep consultant with 7 years working with teething troubled clients I hear your struggles loud and clear. Tired mums have told me;
“My baby wakes so frequently when teeth are coming”
“Teething makes my baby inconsolable, it’s exhausting to have a clingy baby who won’t sleep with sore teeth!”
“Sleep, what’s that!? My baby is teething!”
"We had another bad night Tess, I can't believe teeth are causing this many dramas. When does it end?!"
Is this you?
I’m here to help.
Let's dive into some of the most common questions I hear about teething and sleep...
HOW LONG WILL MY BABY BE TEETHING FOR?
Brace yourself: teething isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. Your little one could be in toothy territory for up to three years! This doesn’t mean it’s a dribble and whinge every day, but there can be troublesome teeth popping out every few months. Most babies start teething between 3-6 months, and have all 20 teeth by the age of 2-3 years old.
DO AMBER BEADS HELP BABY SLEEP BETTER WHEN TEETHING?
Although many parents use amber beads to treat pain, there is little evidence to support the benefits. Although they seem like a magical solution, for me, the well documented risk of choking/strangulation far outweighs the benefit. For us at Enhance Sleep it's safety first, always.
DO TEETHING GELS WORK?
Despite recent media attention, teething gels have been deemed safe when used as directed on the packet. The risk of toxicity is present when consumption is excessive. Do not give more than is needed and always follow the directions on the pack.
DO I NEED TO BRUSH BABY’S TEETH?
Absolutely! Start those toothy rituals early and make brushing a part of your bedtime routine. Haaka's first toothbrush set is a game-changer— don't forget to use the code ENHANCESLEEP10 for a discount
DOES CHAMOMILE TEA HELP TEETHING BABIES?
Chamomile tea has been used anecdotally for centuries but it’s not backed by valid research. There has been an association with botulism spores in chamomile plants (rare but fatal). Stick to safer alternatives until baby is older than 12 months and botulism poses less risk.
WILL TEETHING MEAN MY BABY WON’T SLEEP?
Unpopular opinion here; not all bad nights can be blamed on teeth.
Teething is unlikely to wake your baby, but can make resettling a challenge.
If you already had issues with frequent night wakes, early rising, short naps or battles to sleep well, teeth may intensify these issues. your best defence it to teach your baby independent sleep skills. Need help making that happen, book a call . Want to find out more about teething and sleep. Read this blog here.
CAN YOU SLEEP TRAIN WHEN BABY IS TEETHING?
Waiting for teething to pass before sleep training? Think again. With a bit of patience and some extra TLC, you can navigate sleep training even during teething bouts.
If you are waiting for teething to stop before you sleep train… you may be waiting a while! I don’t recommend starting sleep training when you first notice teething symptoms. Instead use these tips, wait a few days and then get started.
Already started sleep training and notice teeth making an appearance? Treat using my 4C’s method and continue as you were. If you need to add a little extra TLC to your plan for a few days, that’s okay. But teeth shouldn’t be the reason you undo all of your hard work. Booking 1-on-1 support will help support you and take the worry and second guessing away whilst you sleep train.
AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION ERUPTION CHART
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