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When your baby is teething, it can be a difficult time for everyone in the house. First up the baby - it's uncomfortable and painful, and they don't really know what's happening to them.
But equally, it's tough for you as parents, as a teething baby is difficult to keep calm, resulting in sleepless nights all around.
So, how to help a teething baby sleep at night? Well, the good news is that there are several things you can try, which will relieve your baby's discomfort and hopefully help them to sleep at least some way through the night.
How to know if your baby is teething?
First things first, are you sure your baby is teething? After all, there could be several reasons why they're crying and it might not be clear why they're so upset. With that in mind, some common teething symptoms to look out for include:
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Excessive drooling or dribbling
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Chewing on air
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Irritability for no apparent reason
Also, most babies start teething around the 6 month mark, though be aware that some start showing signs as early as 3 months and as late as 12 months.
At this stage, recognize that teething is part and parcel of a baby's natural development. But if you notice a rash or if they exhibit severe symptoms that cause you concern, you should call your doctor right away.
How to help a teething baby sleep at night? Here's what to try
If you're confident that your baby's irritability is caused by teething, here are some simple things you can try at home to keep them calm and help them go to sleep:
1. Apply a frozen cloth to their gums
When your baby is teething, their gums will feel hot and painful, so cooling them down is likely to help relieve some of their discomfort.
A great way to do this is to soak a clean cloth in water, fold it, and place it in the freezer for around 60 minutes.
Then apply the cloth to your baby's gums and you can even allow them to bite down on the cloth if they want to - it won't cause them any harm.
2. Invest in a teething ring
A teething ring is a type of toy that you can buy for your baby to chew on during the day. This takes some of the pressure and heat out of their gums and can relieve some of the discomfort.
If it helps, give your baby the teething ring as they get off to sleep, as it may help to take their mind off the pain. Like tip one above, you might also consider putting it in the freezer for a while so it helps to cool down your baby's gums when they chew on it.
3. Keep them busy
If your baby is lying down in the dark with only their discomfort to occupy their mind, the chances are that they're going to cry throughout the night.
Though you're probably super tired yourself, keeping your baby engaged for a while can be all they need to get off to sleep. Read to your baby or play their favorite songs to take their mind off their teeth.
White noise or other soothing sounds can also help, which you can easily download onto your phone if you don't want to play music late at night.
4. Massage their gums
The simple act of massaging your child's gums can make a big difference to the pain they experience when teething. When it's time for bed, apply light pressure to their gums with a clean finger or damp gauze, as it may help to numb the area.
Just be careful not to apply too much pressure, as you could end up doing more harm than good if you make them more uncomfortable than they already are.
5. Show affection
You probably don't need us to tell you this, but kisses and cuddles will go a long way towards helping your little one feel better when they're teething.
Their body is undergoing significant changes and they're not sure why, so they need their parents to show them unconditional love and affection.
While it can be super frustrating for you and your partner, remember that teething is just a short phase and it will be over before you know it. Don't lose your temper and remember to keep calm and show your baby lots of love.
6. Consider medicine
In some situations, you might consider medicine as a last resort if all else fails. Babies older than 3 months can take paracetamol and ibuprofen, and they may help to ease some of the pain associated with teething.
If you're going down this route, it makes sense to consult a pharmacist beforehand, as they're in the best position to offer you advice and guidance on the best pain relief for your little one.
Recap - how to help a baby sleep while teething?
Unfortunately, there's not one guaranteed method that will help your baby sleep when they are teething. It's a difficult time for them and they will be experiencing pain and discomfort.
Therefore, you need to try some different things to help soothe the pain and reassure them, and different things will work for different children.
Whatever you try, remember to stay positive and keep your emotions in check. Teething doesn't last that long and though you might suffer through some sleepless nights in the short term, it's not a long-term problem that you need to worry about.
