The Impact of Teething on Baby Sleep and How to Ease It

26 January 2026

Ah, teething—the magical milestone that turns your adorable, giggly baby into a drooly, cranky little gremlin overnight. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Teething can feel like the boss level of babyhood, especially when it starts messing with sleep. If your baby suddenly starts waking at night like they’ve just remembered something urgent from their past life, chances are, a tiny tooth is trying to make its grand debut.

Let’s talk about what exactly goes down during teething, how it hijacks your baby’s sleep, and most importantly, how you can survive it without losing your mind (or your precious sleep).

What Happens When a Baby Starts Teething?

Teething is kind of like nature’s extreme sport for babies. Around 4 to 7 months (though it totally varies), your baby's body starts making room for those pearly whites.

The Teething Timeline in a Nutshell

While each baby is their own adorable little snowflake, the usual suspects show up in this order:

1. Bottom central incisors (6–10 months)
2. Top central incisors (8–12 months)
3. Lateral incisors (9–13 months)
4. First molars (13–19 months)
5. Canines (cuspids) (16–22 months)
6. Second molars (25–33 months)

So yeah... it’s not a “one and done” kind of deal. Teething is more like a long-term roommate situation.

Signs That Teething is Crashing the Sleep Party

Sure, not every bad night can be blamed on teething (sorry!), but when gums are sore, sleep often takes a hit. Here’s what you might see:

- Increased irritability (think: full-on baby drama queens)
- Drooling like it's their new superpower
- Chewing on anything in sight (including your fingers)
- Red or swollen gums
- Slight fever (nothing higher than 100.4°F)
- Disrupted naps and more frequent night waking

Does your baby suddenly hate bedtime? Are they waking every hour like they’re on a snooze-and-repeat cycle? Teething could be calling the shots.

How Teething Disrupts Baby Sleep

Okay, let’s break this down.

1. Pain: The Number One Sleep Thief

Imagine trying to sleep with a toothache. Not fun, right? For babies, teething pain and sore gums can make it hard to settle down, fall asleep, or stay asleep. The discomfort can really ramp up at night when they’re lying down, and there’s nothing distracting them like during the day.

2. Drool = Wet Sleeper

All that drooling can irritate your baby’s skin, cause coughing, or even wake them up from being uncomfortably soaked. Some babies even develop a mild rash from drool overload. Lovely, right?

3. Changes in Routine

When teething kicks in, a perfectly good sleeper can suddenly go rogue. Naps get shorter, night wakings increase, and you might find yourself pacing the hallway at 2 a.m. wondering what happened to your peaceful sleeper.

How to Ease Teething Pain and Help Your Baby Sleep

Now, the part you really came for—help. Here’s your calm-in-the-storm survival guide to handling teething while still keeping everyone (somewhat) sane and rested.

1. Offer Something to Chew

Let’s face it—babies are basically tiny puppies when teething. They need to gnaw.

- Teething toys: Chill (not freeze!) those silicone teethers for extra soothing.
- Cold washcloths: Wet, twist, and refrigerate for a DIY teether.
- Chilled fruit: For older babies, mesh feeders with cold banana or apple slices can do wonders.

Chewing helps relieve the pressure in their gums—kind of like scratching a relentless itch.

2. Massage Those Little Gums

Wash your hands, and gently rub your baby’s gums with your finger. It might feel weird at first (for both of you), but many babies find it incredibly soothing. It's like a mini-massage for the mouth.

3. Pain Relief (When It’s Really Needed)

If your baby is clearly in discomfort and nothing else helps, talk to your pediatrician about using infant pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin). Don’t play doctor—check the dosage and don’t use gels with benzocaine for kids under 2, as they’re not recommended.

4. Keep the Bedtime Routine (Even If It’s Ugly)

Consistency is comforting. Even if your baby is cranky, clingy, and generally not having it, sticking to their normal bedtime routine signals it’s time to wind down.

- Warm bath
- Calming lullaby or story
- Dim lights
- Rocking or cuddling

Skip the circus. Keep it simple, soothing, and the same each night.

5. Elevate the Head Slightly

If your baby is congested or drooling a lot, lying flat can feel worse. Lifting the head of their crib slightly (and safely) may help. Use a wedge underneath the crib mattress—never use pillows directly under your baby.

6. Monitor Sleep Windows

Overtired babies are way harder to settle. Keep an eye on wake windows and sleepy cues like rubbing eyes, zoning out, or that delightful overtired screech. Being proactive with naps and bedtimes can stop this downward spiral.

7. Offer a Comfort Object

A small, breathable lovey can work wonders for comfort—just make sure it’s safe (no loose parts, breathable fabric) and your baby is old enough. Sometimes a familiar snuggle buddy is all they need to feel secure.

Teething vs. Sleep Regression: Wait, Which Is It?

Here’s where things get muddy. Teething and sleep regressions often overlap, and it can feel like playing a guessing game with no cheat sheet.

Here’s a quick guide:

- Teething = Short-term crankiness, chewing, localized heat in the gums, wakes up crying and seems in pain.
- Sleep regression = Longer-term, more predictable pattern—like your 4-month-old suddenly acting like a newborn again.

If your baby’s sleep disruption lasts more than a couple of weeks and doesn’t align with teething signs, another milestone might be the culprit. Yep, babies are little overachievers like that.

The Silver Lining: It’s Temporary (Really!)

Here’s the truth: Teething stinks. But it won’t last forever. Each tooth takes a few days (sometimes a week or two) to fully cut through, and then it’s usually back to normal—until the next one, of course. But here's the good news: babies are incredibly adaptable. So are parents. You’ll find your rhythm again.

Survival Tips for Sleep-Deprived Parents

Let’s not forget you in all of this. If you’re running on three hours of broken sleep and strong coffee, here are a few tips:

- Nap when the baby naps (yes, we all roll our eyes at this, but seriously—do it if you can)
- Lower your expectations. Laundry can wait. Sleep is survival.
- Tag-team with your partner or support system. Take turns getting rest.
- Plan easy meals. Now’s not the time for gourmet cooking.
- Ask for help. Whether it’s a neighbor dropping off dinner or a friend watching the baby while you nap, accept it.

When to Call the Pediatrician

Most teething stuff is normal, but keep an eye out for signs that something else might be up:

- Fever above 100.4°F
- Diarrhea or frequent vomiting
- Rash that spreads
- Extreme fussiness that doesn’t improve
- Refusal to eat or drink

Teething shouldn't make your baby sick, so if you're seeing any of the above, give your pediatrician a quick call for peace of mind.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

If it feels like teething is testing your endurance, that’s because it kind of is. But here’s the thing—you’re doing an amazing job. Your baby isn’t just growing teeth; they’re growing trust, comfort, and their connection with you every time you soothe them.

It won’t always be this exhausting. Eventually, those little teefers will come in, the drool will slow down, and your baby will sleep like... well, like a baby again (a well-rested one, that is). Until then, stock up on cuddles, coffee, and those trusty teething toys—you’re going to get through this.