Teething & Sleep
Teething isn’t always the factor to these sleepless nights!
If your little one is normally a good sleeper and then things go off the rails, we can often pinpoint it down to teething if they are also showing other typical symptoms. However, if your baby can’t self-settle and sleep has always been a bit of a mess, it is really common for parents to blame the disruption on these pesky teeth.
When does teething tend to start, and which tooth comes first?
The range is MASSIVE as to when they might arrive, the majority of parents do claim that teething tends to start around 3 to 4 months. Normally when the hands in mouth and dribbling starts!
The range is MASSIVE as to when they might arrive, the majority of parents do claims that teething tends to start around 3 to 4 months. Normally when the hands in mouth and dribbling starts!
What does the research tell us?
Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Jacobs J, Skibinski C – Symptoms associated with infant teething; a prospective study. 2000
Found that the ‘teething period’ has an 8-day window. Most disruption in the first 4 days as the tooth emerges, then the actual day it pops out and then 3 days following that, so 8 in total.
This study also claimed that sleep disturbances were NOT a significant symptom of teething.
Garima J, Mathur VP, Tewari N, Rahul M, Sultan F, Haldar P, Bansal K, Upadhyay AD. Global prevalence of teething problems in infants and children – A systematic review and meta-analysis.
25 studies were included. Found that the most common symptom was increased biting and irritability, but again not sleep disturbances.
These studies are in contrast to other professionals’ beliefs, including myself.
A more recent study in 2025 by Kahn M, Lucchini M, Oster E, Thakur S, Waugh M, Barnet N. Does Teething Disrupt Sleep?
Again, challenges the belief that teething impacts sleep. Parents do need to eliminate any other sleep problems, before we blame it all on teeth.
So, yes, the research may state that teething doesn’t have as much of an impact on sleep as we believe. What can happen is that we could be giving medication when actually the issues are around these babies sleep skills as opposed to teething.
There is a gap in the research and more needs to be done. I have worked with 100’s of families and have found teething to cause issues. However, before we reach for the medication we must establish are there any other sleep issues that are causing these terrible nights. Keep checking your little one’s mouth for any teeth erupting.
Teething is blamed for poor sleep, but the question has to be asked is it just that or is something else causing these rough nights?
What can I do to help my teething baby? – NHS
Teething rings and painkillers such as sugar free paracetamol can be used from 2 months of age and ibuprofen from 3 months. The best way to play medication is that once the symptoms kick in, we should be proactive not reactive. You don’t want to wait for their pain levels to raise to the point of hysterics before we offer these. Keep on top of the day and night doses and ALWAYS check with your doctor or pharmacist if unsure. The aim here is to keep on top of it and keep them comfortable. So, if they are due a dose then dream-med them so they aren’t waking up in tears and pain.
If weaning, then cold fruit can be a really effective relief. Melon was my son’s favourite.
Comfort and play 100% helps and distraction is your best friend. Cuddles should be increased and even your calming voice through just talking or singing can hugely help. This is because such behaviours from us help increase the release of the happy hormone oxytocin, which is a great tool to keep control over that pesky cortisol, which will raise when they are in pain.
What doesn’t help?
Teething Gels – there is a lack of evidence to suggest these are very effective.
Homeopathic Products – are not recommended by the NHS. If this is the route you want to follow, please ensure you have checked they are licenced for use in the UK first. You can do this by checking a list of approved products on the Medical & Healthcare Products Regulated Agency (MHRA).
I understand that it’s horrible hearing them in pain, but increasing feeds or bringing them into your bed when they don’t normally sleep there, wont act as a pain relief, but will likely cause you sleep issues down the road.
Even though there isn’t a lot of research that states that teething impacts sleep but I would actually disagree. However, what can impact sleep is bringing in new ways of settling/ sleep associations. This will often lead to more disturbed nights going forward.
