May 3, 2023

The Truth About Teething & Sleep

Oh, those little toothy grins can melt our hearts, but teething, for most parents, is no laughing matter! If you are in the trenches of sleepless nights and cranky babies and you think teeth are to blame, keep reading. I'm here to help keep you sleeping whilst baby's teeth are on the move 🦷

QUICK FACT ABOUT TEETH

Fun fact: Did you know your baby’s teeth have been hidden under the gum since life in the womb! All 20 teeth sit there until 3-6 months when teething can start. Expect all those pearly whites to be out by the age of 2-3 years. Yes you heard me right, that's a potential three-year teething marathon!!!!!

But hey, let's not panic just yet. Take a deep breath, put the kettle on and follow these top tips to help you (and baby) keep sleeping despite sore teeth.

SIGNS OF TEETHING

Teeth don't often pop out unannounced. Most parents would see one, or all, of these teething troubles as a sign of teeth moving in baby's mouth;

Excessive dribbling
Sore, red, inflamed gums
Visible white pearls under the gums
Cranky behaviour
Increased whinge
Rubbing/pulling at ears
Flushed cheeks
Not sleeping well
Low grade fever

HOW TO TREAT SORE TEETH

Teeth can be real troublemakers, but there's plenty you can do to ease the pain. Here's my golden rule: think of the 4 C’s.

CHILL - Cool teething toys, chilled face washers, or dummies filled with iced water can help. (just avoid anything frozen to prevent freezer burns) Avoid frozen items as the freezer burn could cause more issues. And keep those teething gels in the fridge for a soothing touch (use only as directed on the packet)
CHEW - Chewing helps soothe sore gums. Let them chew on anything safe, from hands, toys, dummies or baby spoons. Extra relief can be found when they are chilled in the fridge first!
CUDDLE - We all need a little extra TLC when in pain. Fevers and runny noses are often a symptom of teething. Treat them with love and extra snuggles in their awake time.
CREAM - Teething often causes a nappy rash - treat the nappy rash with THICK barrier cream. (top tip; don't use it delicately!)

Don't forget about pain relief, too. A little medicine (use only as directed on the packet) can work wonders for those acute teething episodes, giving your little one some much-needed relief. Offer a dose at bedtime to give 6-8 hours of relief, and sleep!

TEETHING AND SLEEP

Unpopular opinion here -- not all bad nights can be blamed on teeth! And here's the kicker; Some kids don't seem bothered by teeth at all. Doesn't seem fair does it??! But if you are experiencing more wake ups, longer resettles, early rising and an overall struggles with sleep, it's worth looking at how much can be blamed on teething versus pre-existing sleep issues, just intensified. In my seven years of working closely with sleep clients, I've found that, surprisingly, it's not usually the teeth themselves that wake children up, but rather the discomfort of sore gums that makes resettling a bit of a challenge.

If teeth are causing you sleepless nights, your best defence is helping your baby learn independent sleep habits.

SO WHAT'S THE PLAN IF TEETH ARE CAUSING US DRAMAS?

When you spot signs of sore gums, focus on those 4 C’s to bring comfort. And when bedtime rolls around stick to your routine as much as possible. Don't assume they won't settle—most babies drift off just fine. And if they need extra comfort, they'll let you know.

Remember, responsive settling is key—be there for your baby when they wake, but resist the urge to swoop in and do ALL the work getting them back to sleep. Try your usual settling techniques and slowly increase your support when you see it's not working. It's a balance between comforting them and trusting their natural ability to settle themselves. Never seen self settling in your little one? It's time we chat and make it happen for your family 💫