As a pediatric sleep coach, I often hear, “My baby is teething, and that’s why they’re not sleeping.” It’s easy to see why teething gets blamed for many sleepless nights. Seeing swollen gums and the sound of a fussy baby can lead us to believe teething is the culprit. But is it? Let’s take a closer look at the facts surrounding teething and sleep—and why waiting for teething to end isn’t the best strategy for sleep training.

Does Teething Really Hurt?

Yes, teething can cause discomfort. As those little teeth push through the gums, some babies experience swollen, tender gums, leading to irritability. However, the pain from teething is often short-lived and comes in spurts rather than lasting for weeks or months. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teething typically causes minor discomfort but is not enough to disrupt a baby’s life or prevent them from sleeping well in the long term.

Can Teething Keep Babies Awake at Night?

While teething may cause an occasional rough night, it isn’t the reason why babies wake up multiple times a night for extended periods. Teething might lead to a cranky night or two. Still, if your baby has been waking frequently over weeks or months, something else is likely contributing, such as sleep associations or inconsistent routines.

Establishing good sleep habits early on ensures that minor disruptions like teething won’t lead to months of sleepless nights. According to the National Sleep Foundation, babies who learn to self-soothe generally return to sleep more easily, even with minor discomfort like teething.

How Long Does Teething Last?

Teething is a gradual process that typically starts around six months and can continue until the age of two or three. If you wait for all teething to be over before committing to a sleep routine, you could be waiting years! Other factors like developmental milestones or growth spurts can also affect sleep during this period, so it’s essential not to delay establishing good sleep habits.

Teething is Not a Reason to Avoid Sleep Training

It’s easy to fall into the habit of blaming teething for sleep issues, but the truth is that teething isn’t why your baby wakes up multiple times every night for weeks or months. The real key to sleep success is consistency. Waiting for your baby’s teething to finish might take over two years—time in which poor sleep habits can become further ingrained.

Tips for When Baby Is Teething

Teething can lead to a rough night or two, but if you’ve established good sleep habits, your baby will bounce back quickly. Here are some tips for managing teething while staying consistent with sleep routines:

• Use Safe Teething Remedies: Soothe your baby’s gums with a chilled teething ring or gently rub them with a clean finger. Avoid over-the-counter medications unless advised by your pediatrician.
• Stick to the Routine: Even if your baby has a fussy night due to teething, maintain your regular bedtime routine. Babies thrive on consistency, and keeping up with your sleep methods helps them get back on track faster.
• Offer Comfort, Not Crutches: If your baby seems uncomfortable, offer gentle comfort without introducing new sleep associations, like feeding or rocking to sleep. These can disrupt their self-soothing ability.
• Keep Perspective: A bad night here, and there might be due to teething, but as long as you stay consistent, your baby will likely return to their usual sleep pattern within a few nights.

Final Thoughts

In short, teething may cause some temporary disruptions, but it’s not the root cause of ongoing sleep issues. By sticking to healthy sleep habits and routines, your baby can navigate teething with only minimal impact on their sleep. Don’t let teething become an excuse to avoid sleep training—your baby (and you!) deserve the rest.

If you’re tired of being tired from your baby’s “teething” let’s teach your baby to sleep well in a few short nights! It’ll be nothing short of life-changing.

I offer a complimentary discovery call so don’t wait!