Teething and Baby Sleep

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Article by:

Cara Dumaplin

RN, BSN, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

a photo shows a baby with 2 new front teeth. An adult hand is pulling the baby's lip down to expose the teeth

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Teething- UGH! The very word causes parents everywhere to cringe and have visions of drooling, fussy babies.

We’ll go over symptoms of teething, symptoms that are often confused with teething, ways to soothe inflamed gums, common teething toys, things to avoid with teething babies, acetaminophen vs. ibuprofen usage, and tips to help your teething baby to sleep.

How long does teething last?

Teething lasts from approximately 5-30 months of age, but the actual PAIN associated with teething only lasts for about 24-72 hours prior to the tooth eruption. Once the tooth is through the gum, most of the pain is gone.

Infant Teething Chart illustrating when teeth are expected to come in.

What are the signs of teething?

Here are signs of teething: (1)

Text version
Signs of Teething Not Signs of Teething
Swollen gums with white nubs Fever (greater than 100.4°F, 38°C)
Irritability* Vomiting/diarrhea
Less interested in solids* Congestion/cough
Chewing on fingers and toys* Intense crying
Increased drooling* Refusing breast/bottle
*Can also occur as a normal part of baby development. The only SURE sign of teething is seeing a tooth. None

How can I help?

(Teething pain is inflammation of the gums. That’s why ibuprofen is typically a more effective pain reliever for teething. However, baby must be 6 months of age or older to use Motrin. Use acetaminophen instead for babies younger than 6 months.)

What about sleep during teething?

Remember, every baby is different. However, those with a strong sleep foundation tend to handle nights and naps better during teething.

The first and best advice about teething and baby sleep:

Lay a strong sleep foundation in the first few months of your baby’s life. My no-cry newborn sleep class gives you the tools to help create a good little sleeper from the start. Having a strong foundation in place PRIOR to teething is so helpful!

If your baby is 5–24 months, there’s still hope.

The ABCs of Sleep will give you a plan to achieve 10-12 hour nights of independent sleep in the crib. This will be a plan to follow through regressions, teething, illnesses, and setbacks too. Many of our families report that their little ones simply wake well-rested in the morning with a new tooth!

But let’s say you have a great little sleeper who is suddenly struggling…

First, let’s make sure it really is only teething. Remember, intense crying is typically NOT teething.(1) You could be seeing signs of an illness or something that requires further investigation.

If it is teething…

First, understand that consistency is still so important. Maintain your normal routine, bedtime, and approach to night wakings.

If your little one is struggling with pain, do what needs to be done to help soothe him. It’s always okay to comfort your baby while he’s in pain. A few nights won’t derail a great little sleeper. Once that tooth pops through, go right back to your night wakings approach, and sleep will return to normal quickly.

Teething can seem intimidating at first, but with the right tools and understanding: You’ve got this!

Frequently Asked Questions about Teething and Baby Sleep

Teething itself can last from about 5 to 30 months, but the actual pain of a tooth coming in is much shorter, usually just 24 to 72 hours right before it breaks through the gum. Once the tooth is through, most of that discomfort is gone. So if a rough night or two pops up, it's likely tied to that short window, not a sign that sleep is falling apart for good.

It can, especially in that 24-to-72-hour stretch before a tooth erupts. But here's the good news: babies with a strong sleep foundation tend to move through teething with far fewer bumps in the road. Many families are surprised to find their little one wakes up well-rested with a brand new tooth. If you're seeing intense, inconsolable crying, that's typically not teething and it’s time to reach out to your pediatrician.

Teething pain comes from gum inflammation, so ibuprofen (Motrin) tends to work well, but only for babies 6 months and older. For babies younger than 6 months, use acetaminophen. Cold washcloths to gnaw on and gentle gum massage can also help in the moment. Amber necklaces and teething gels are not recommended. Check with your pediatrician before trying any homeopathic remedies ot medications.

There’s usually no need to change your baby’s sleep routine during teething. Stick to your normal routine and bedtime. If your little one is really hurting, it's always okay to comfort them through it. A few off nights won't undo the progress you've made. Once that tooth breaks through, go right back to your usual approach and sleep should settle back down quickly.

References

Sources
  1. Healthy Children. (2024). Teething
  2. Healthy Children, American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents
  3. FDA US Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Safely Soothig Teething Pain in Infants and Children
  4. Kahn, M., et al. (2025). Does Teething Disrupt Infant Sleep? A Longitudinal Auto-Videosomnography Study.

Keep in mind that the information and content on this blog is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. If you have questions about your child, please reach out to your doctor.

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