When your baby is cutting their first teeth, it’s uncomfortable. It’s no wonder they’re fussy and their regular schedule, including sleep, has gone out the window. If your baby is sleepier than usual as all this is happening, you might be wondering: do babies sleep more when teething?
In this article, we’ll dive into how teething affects sleep and give you ways to cope with all of the changes. Soon enough, the pain of teething will be over, and they’ll be smiling bright and sleeping tight!
Table of contents
- Teething basics: What to expect in the first three years
- Taking care of your baby’s teeth and gums
- Symptoms of teething
- Do babies sleep more when teething: Rule of thumb
- Do babies sleep more when teething: Anecdotal evidence
- Other reasons why your baby may be sleeping more
- Tips for when baby is teething
Teething basics: What to expect in the first three years
You won’t see them for a little while yet, but when your baby is born, they’ll have about 20 teeth under their gums. One by one, the teeth will break through until, by the age of three, all of their “milk teeth” will be on display.
That’s a lot of activity in a short time and, as we said, it’s sure to affect your baby’s moods and routines, including sleep. But before we answer the question, “Do babies sleep more when teething,” let’s take a look at when to expect their first teeth.
Central incisors
The lower central incisors (the two teeth in the center at the bottom) will appear between six and 10 months. Their counterparts on top follow quickly behind between eight and 10 months.
Lateral incisors
Next up are the lateral incisors — the teeth that flank the central incisors. The top lateral incisors will appear between nine and 13 months and the bottom between 10 to 16 months. These teeth take between one and eight days to poke through baby’s gums.
First molars
The molars will come soon after the lateral incisors, both top and bottom breaking through between 13 and 19 months. These flatter, wider teeth take longer to come in and can be a bit more painful than the incisors.
Canine teeth
Next up are the pointy teeth on either side of your baby’s mouth, also known as the canine teeth. These will start coming in at about 16 to 22 months. Generally, the lower canines will come in first, followed by the uppers.
Secondary molars
Lastly, at about 25 to 33 months, your little one will get their secondary molars. These are the biggest teeth they’re going to cut and can be quite painful as they break through the gums.
Like with the canines, the lower molars usually come in first, followed by the uppers.
Keep in mind that for all of these new teeth, the timing is just an estimate, meaning your little one could see their pearly whites a bit earlier or later.
Taking care of your baby’s teeth and gums
During the first six months, your baby will charm you with their gummy smile — but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to think about oral hygiene.
You’ll want to keep your baby’s mouth healthy by using a clean, damp washcloth or gauze to wipe their gums after each feeding. Taking care of their oral hygiene will pave the way for strong adult teeth down the road.
Once your baby gets their first pearly white, it’s time to transition to a toothbrush. Brush your little one’s teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and make their first appointment with the dentist.
First dental appointment
As we mentioned above, as soon as that first tooth breaks through or by your little one’s first birthday — whichever comes first — it’s a good idea to visit your dentist.
They’ll examine your baby’s jaws, teeth, bite, and gums to make sure everything is developing as expected.
Symptoms of teething
Although your baby can’t yet tell you what’s going on, there are a number of signs to look out for that will indicate they’re teething.
Some common symptoms include:
Chewing
Your baby may start trying to put anything and everything — from fingers to toys — into their mouth to relieve the pain.
Drooling
When teething starts, your little one may also begin to drool. Excessive drooling can lead to skin irritation, so wipe extra saliva with a gentle cloth or apply a barrier cream to prevent a rash.
Fussiness
Not surprisingly, if your baby is cutting teeth, they might act extra fussy.
Coughing
If your baby has developed an occasional cough, this is another sign that they might be teething. The excess saliva from cutting teeth may be dripping down their throat and causing the cough.
However, a persistent cough may be due to illness, so reach out to your baby’s doctor if they’re coughing frequently.
Swollen gums
If your baby is teething, they also could have red, swollen, and painful gums.
Temperature Spike
A slight spike in your baby’s temperature is not uncommon during teething. However, if they get a true fever of 100.4°F or higher, it’s a good idea to go see their pediatrician.
Rash on cheek
Your baby may also get a rash on their face while they’re in the throes of teething. This is often a byproduct of excess drool irritating the skin.
Cheek rubbing
If your baby is rubbing their cheek, they may be trying to relieve some of the teething pain they’re experiencing.
Ear pulling
Ear pulling is another indicator that your baby is teething. Tooth pain can radiate to the ear thanks to a common nerve pathway.
Refusing to eat
Your baby might go from being a good eater to now turning their head at mealtime due to tooth pain.
Whining
You might also notice that your sweet baby is whining more while they’re teething in order to communicate their discomfort.
Of course, not every baby is going to experience all of these things — in fact, some babies escape this period of development with little to no symptoms at all.
Do babies sleep more when teething: Rule of thumb
Now, let’s talk about the gorilla in the room: do babies sleep more when teething? The short answer is generally not.
The reason is pretty intuitive. If they’re experiencing pain in their mouth, it’s going to be harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Do babies sleep more when teething: Anecdotal evidence
But for some families, the answer to, “Do babies sleep more when teething,” is yes. If you scrape the internet, you’ll see people who swear that when their babies got new teeth, they suddenly became better sleepers.
There are no scientific studies that back this exception to the rule, so you probably should expect some sleep disruption while your little one is teething. But there’s always hope!
Other reasons your baby may be sleeping more
Sometimes you might think your baby is sleeping more when teething, but their extra shut-eye has to do with something else entirely. Let’s take a look at a few things that may account for their sleepiness.
Growth spurts
First, your baby may sleep more when teething because they’re also having a growth spurt. When growing, it’s common for babies to sleep more throughout the day — in both frequency and duration.
The more sleep, the more growth. So if you’re seeing a lot of sleep, it just might be that your little one is destined to be a basketball player.
Illness
Another reason your baby might be sleeping more while they’re cutting teeth is that they’re under the weather. While your little one is fighting an illness, they might get extra tired.
There are some simple signs that baby might be sick rather than teething, such as:
- High fever
- Runny nose
- Extra ear-pulling and fussiness
- Symptoms getting worse
Change in routine
Changing your baby’s routine can also affect their sleeping patterns — for better and for worse.
Vaccination
If your baby was just vaccinated, this can make them more tired, especially for the first 24 hours after immunization.
Tips for dealing with teething
The good news is that if your little one is teething, there are things you can do to make it easier for them (and for you).
1) Relieve the pain.
The first order of business is to relieve their pain. One way of doing this is by applying pressure to their gums.
Another option is to give them something cold. Just be sure it’s not frozen, as this can make matters worse. You could also introduce a teething ring because chewing often helps soothe the pain.
Or, if your baby’s ready to eat, a mesh fresh food feeder can help. Just put in cold fresh fruits or veggies, and let your little one suck on the feeder for a soothing (and nutritious) effect. Once they’re a bit older, try cold hard vegetables instead.
2) Massage baby’s gums
Massage can be very soothing, especially when your little one’s first teeth are coming in. Wash your hands thoroughly before you begin. Then gently rub your baby’s swollen gums.
3) Keep baby’s face clean of drool.
Your little one is probably drooling up a storm with all their teething, so it’s important to wipe the drool away and clean their skin regularly. Putting a bib on your baby during this stage makes it easier to deal with the drool quickly.
4) Keep baby’s regular sleep routine.
While it’s tempting to adjust your little one’s nap schedule as a result of their newfound irritability, this can throw them off even more. Teething should only be a mild disruption in your baby’s daily sleep.
Try to stick to the regular routine as much as possible to avoid compounding the disruption with inconsistent sleep habits.
5) Optimize baby’s sleep environment.
Take another look at your baby’s room to ensure that everything is conducive to a good night’s sleep. Even if they’re not sleeping as well while they’re teething, you’ll want them to have the best shot at clocking the hours with their eyes closed.
Here are some good rules of thumb:
Aim for cool but not cold.
If your baby’s room is too warm, it can lead to discomfort and poor sleep. Set the temperature to 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit so their sleep area is cool but not cold.
Keep it dark.
You’ll want your baby’s room to be as dark as possible, even when it’s light outside. Blackout shades can help.
Bring down the noise.
Keep your little one’s room quiet. If there’s too much noise around you — either inside or outside the house — consider using a white noise machine. A white noise machine emits a fixed frequency and tone to block out any disruptive sounds.
Try a humidifier.
If the air is too dry, it can make your baby feel stuffy and uncomfortable. Adding a humidifier to the room can help.
When choosing a humidifier, opt for a cool rather than a warm mist to avoid any accidental spills or potential burns.
The goal is to maintain 30 to 50 percent humidity in your little one’s room. Never let humidity get to over 60 percent, as you risk mold growth. If you’re not sure about the humidity level in the nursery, you can purchase a hygrometer to measure it.
Give baby a pacifier.
Another way to help your little one get better sleep is by introducing a pacifier. Non-nutritive sucking has been connected to a better night’s sleep and a decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Just be sure the pacifier is clean, sized correctly, and one-piece with no attachments.
Choose temperature-right sleep clothing.
When dressing your baby for sleep, be sure you don’t over-bundle them. Your little one should wear one layer more than what you would comfortably wear for the room temperature.
Because babies can’t have blankets until they’re over 12 months old, try putting them to bed in a swaddle. A swaddle is simply a large muslin blanket that wraps around the baby like a burrito with their arms and legs tucked in.
Swaddles will quell your baby’s Moro reflex so they don’t startle themselves awake in the middle of the night. However, once your little one shows signs of rolling over, it’s time to put away the swaddle and get out the sleep sack.
A sleep sack is a wearable blanket where baby’s arms and legs are free. This means they can right themselves easily if they roll over during the night. Sleep sacks come in different weights of material (called TOGs) corresponding to the room temperature.
Check the mattress.
Your baby should have a firm and breathable mattress for a safe night’s rest. Newton’s Essential Crib Mattress is firm, breathable, and even washable. The GREENGUARD Gold Certified mattress features Wovenaire® technology for the ultimate in comfort and safety.
Top the mattress with a Waterproof Crib Mattress Pad and some Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets that are soft, hypoallergenic, and machine washable.
Although we can’t promise that our mattress and accessories will cause your baby to sleep more when teething, a breathable, firm mattress can only help.
6) Follow safe sleep practices.
Of course, whenever your baby nods off, teething or not, you’ll want to ensure that you’re adhering to safe sleep practices. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Always put baby to bed on their back.
Sleeping on their back is the safest way for your baby to catch their zzzs, as it lowers the risk of SIDS. Put your little one to bed on their back until their first birthday.
A bare crib is best.
When your little one goes to bed, be sure that the crib is empty of everything but the mattress, fitted sheet, and them. No blankets or toys should be in the crib, as these pose a safety hazard. Crib bumpers, also are a no-no.
Position the crib away from windows, heaters, and cords.
Placing your baby’s crib in the right spot in the room is important for their safety. Steer clear of windows, as you don’t want your baby experiencing drafts or direct sunlight. On top of that, windows will often have window treatments, like corded blinds or curtains.
Loose cords around the crib are dangerous and could pose a strangulation hazard. Also, heaters too close to the crib could cause baby to overheat, which increases the risk of SIDS.
Only put baby to bed in a crib, travel crib, or bassinet.
You only want to let baby get their shuteye in a place that is safe-sleep approved — which includes a crib, travel crib, and bassinet. If they nod off in a bouncer, car seat, or any other non-approved space, pick them up and move them to their crib.
Be sure to never let your little one sleep on a plush chair or sofa, as these are not firm enough and can be suffocation hazards.
Choose a safe crib.
Make sure whatever crib you purchase adheres to all current safety regulations. For instance, there should never be more than 2 ⅜ inches between slats. If the space between slats is larger than that, a baby could fall out or get their head trapped.
In addition, any corner posts must either be flush with the head and footboards or over 16 inches tall. If corner pieces are between these heights, there’s a risk that clothing could get caught and become a strangulation hazard.
Lastly, your crib should not have a drop side — no new cribs will have these but those on the secondary market might. Drop sides have been discontinued since 2011 because of safety concerns.
Although cribs sold in the U.S. should adhere to all of the latest safety standards, used cribs and hand-me-downs will require extra scrutiny. It’s important to verify that there have been no recalls on any model you’re considering and that there are no missing or broken pieces.
If you’re looking for a crib that’s both safe and stylish, our Newton Galileo Convertible Crib is a modern classic made of premium, sustainably sourced Beechwood. This hardwood crib is more durable than softwood alternatives and adheres to the highest standards of safety.
Assemble your crib correctly.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the official assembly video as you put together your crib or bassinet. Before starting, double-check that you have all the pieces.
If you don’t, go back to the manufacturer and procure the missing pieces from them.
Choose the right-sized mattress.
When choosing a mattress, be sure it is properly sized for your crib. A standard-sized crib requires a standard-sized mattress. But smaller or custom-sized cribs will require a custom mattress specially designed for the specific crib.
To know whether your crib mattress is the right size, perform a “two-finger” test. Basically, you should not be able to fit more than two fingers between the crib and the mattress on any side. If the gap is larger, it’s a hazard, and you need to choose a new mattress.
Check your crib periodically.
Screws can loosen over time, especially with an active baby. It’s a good idea to check and tighten the hardware frequently.
Never bed share.
Although you want your baby close to you, especially as they’re going through all of this teething business, you never want to let your baby sleep in your bed.
Adult mattresses are too cushy for a baby to sleep (babies should only sleep on firm mattresses), and blankets and pillows are additional suffocation hazards.
Try room sharing instead.
Just because bed-sharing is out doesn’t mean that you have to be far from your little one. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sleeping in the same room (room sharing) for at least the first six months and, better yet, the first year.
Sleep tight, baby!
Now that you know the answer to the question, “Do babies sleep more when teething,” is generally no, you can get to the root of why your baby is sleeping so much. Or, if they’re like most little ones, discover how you can help them sleep more.
Newton mattresses provide the foundation for a good night’s sleep. Our Original Mattress, Essential Crib Mattress, and Waterproof Mattress are all firm, breathable, and washable so that your little one can get a safe, comfortable sleep — whether teething or not.
Once your baby gets over their teething pain, they’ll be back to sleeping soundly, which means that, with any luck, you will, too!
