Managing Teething and Baby Sleep
Teething and Your Baby: What You Need to Know
Teething can be challenging for both babies and parents. Babies experience discomfort from teething symptoms, and parents often feel stressed seeing their little ones upset and unsure of how to help.
When Does Teething Start?
Teething signs can begin as early as 3 to 4 months, even though teeth might not emerge for a couple of months. These early signs are due to the gums preparing for teeth to push through. This teething period can also contribute to the 4-month sleep regression. Typically, most babies begin teething around 6 months.
Can Teething Symptoms Last for Months?
Before becoming a parent, I assumed teething was a brief phase. However, I soon realized that teething can be an ongoing process for the next couple of years until all baby teeth have emerged.
What Are the Signs of a Teething Baby?
Common signs of teething include:
– Excessive drooling
– Mild fever
– Runny nose
– Flushed cheeks
– Desire to chew on everything
Other symptoms might include:
– Loose stools
– Loss of appetite
– Fussiness or irritability
Many teething symptoms mimic those of a common cold. If your baby shows signs of a rash, high fever, or diarrhea, consult your child’s doctor.
Do Teething Symptoms Worsen at Night?
Teething pain often intensifies at night, similar to how illnesses can feel worse after dark. Babies may wake more frequently due to this discomfort.
Order of Baby Teeth Appearance
Here’s a general timeline for when baby teeth typically emerge:
– Bottom incisors (front teeth): 5-7 months
– Top incisors (front teeth): 6-8 months
– Top lateral incisors: 9-11 months
– Bottom lateral incisors: Around the first birthday
– First molars: 12-18 months
– Canines: 16-20 months
– Second molars: 20-30 months
Most children will have all their milk teeth by 2 to 2.5 years old. Once the first tooth appears, start brushing it to maintain good oral hygiene.
How to Soothe a Teething Baby
Soothing a teething baby can be challenging, but here are some tips:
– Gently rub your baby’s gums: Use a clean finger to apply gentle pressure in a circular motion.
– Offer certain solid foods: Age-appropriate raw fruits or vegetables, or products like teething biscuits, can help soothe gums.
– Use teething toys: Chilled teething rings or toys can provide relief.
– Teething gels: While widely used, there’s limited evidence on their effectiveness. Check with a pharmacist before use.
– Avoid teething necklaces: They pose a choking hazard and are not recommended.
– Pain relief: Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given to babies over 3 months old to alleviate pain. Always follow the dosage instructions and consult your GP if unsure.
How to Maintain Baby’s Sleep During Teething
To keep your baby’s sleep on track during teething:
– Maintain a consistent bedtime and day routine: Adequate sleep helps improve pain tolerance.
– Avoid introducing sleep associations: Encourage self-settling to prevent dependency on comfort measures like rocking or feeding.
– Allow extra daytime sleep: Be flexible with nap times and responsive to your baby’s needs.
– Provide additional nighttime support: Comfort your baby when they wake due to teething pain, but try to put them back to sleep while they are still awake to encourage self-settling.
– Continue sleep training: Don’t let teething deter you from making sleep improvements, as a baby who can self-settle will better handle teething discomfort.
If you find yourself still uncertain and in need of further support, I invite you to explore the packages I offer. You can find more information and assistance tailored to your specific needs by clicking here.
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