Tips on How to Soothe a Teething Baby at Night

Always consult a physician or other qualified health care provider on specific questions about your baby's health.

Your baby is little but oh-so-mighty when they need to let you know something is up. They may be snuggly and sweet throughout the day, but their loud declarations of discomfort throughout the night might leave any parent wondering, what’s changed?

If your baby is drooling more, pulling or rubbing at their ears, or has a slightly elevated temperature, teething may be the reason for your babe’s recent fits. Even if you’ve already cracked the code for getting your baby to sleep throughout the night, soothing a teething baby requires a slightly different set of tricks.

We’ve got some tips so that your little one (and you) are cozier, happier & more well-rested—even after a night of teething. Your babies oral health should be a top priroity, so be sure to connect with your doctor first for any teething concerns.

6 Simple Ways to Soothe Teething Babies

We know that the process of figuring out how to soothe a teething baby at night can have you just as frustrated and upset as your baby. Stay calm, take a deep breath & try implementing the following tips to prevent sleep disturbance:

Try a gum massage – First, make sure your hands are clean. Then, use your clean finger to gently rub and massage your little one’s inflamed gums. A little pressure could go a long way in providing relief. However, don’t be tempted to use a teething gel for pain relief from sore gums. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against using teething gels, homeopathic teething tablets, or topical pain reliever medication to treat your baby's swollen gums.¹

Cuddle them – Sometimes, a few snuggles and songs on the rocking chair are all it takes to soothe a fussy teething baby. Complement cuddle time with babys toys—it could provide a welcome distraction from the pain of cutting new teeth.

Use teethers – Whether in the shape of a cute sloth or a juicy watermelon, chewing on these teething toys or teething rings may ease your babe’s pain by providing counter-pressure against their incoming tooth.

Give a frozen washcloth a try – If teethers don’t quite seem to do the trick, head to your linen closet and grab a washcloth. Run it under water to dampen it before storing it in the freezer to cool down. Using a frozen washcloth could help numb your baby’s gums and reduce pain and inflammation.

Dry away excess drool – If you suspect your babe is teething, keep a trusty bib on deck. That’s because your little one could be drooling a bit more than usual, making them more prone to rashes. Wiping away any excess drool with a bib or drool cloth could keep from exacerbating their discomfort.

Use a white noise machine at bedtime – Just like many adults can be soothed by the soft hum of a fan at night, cranky teething babies may benefit from the calming effects of a white noise machine. Not only will it dull the sounds of noisy neighbors, but it could also give them a leg-up when coping with gum pain.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

According to the National Health Service, babies begin teething at varying ages. While most start at around six months old, others may begin at four months—and some after twelve.² Because each baby is on their very own journey, it’s especially important to know and be able to recognize a few teething symptoms.

Teething Signs and Symptoms

You’ve already recognized a change in your baby’s fussiness and ability to sleep comfortably through the night, but what are some more specific ways you can know for sure that teething is the culprit?

In some cases, you may notice:²

Gum soreness
Mild fever or elevated temperature
Rashes on their face
Rubbing or pulling at ears
More frequent drooling
Increased tendency to chew or gnaw on certain objects

And of course—as you may have already come to know all too well—you’ll notice your baby is more fretful and not sleeping as well as they typically do.

Just remember to consult your pediatrician if you feel something is seriously wrong. While your baby's body temperature may rise slightly when teething, a true fever is not associated with teething. It could be a sign of illness or infection that may require medical treatment.³

Is Baby Teething Pain Worse at Night?

Now that you’ve identified that your little one is indeed teething, you may be asking yourself why the brunt of their teething pain and frustration seems to rear its head (much like their erupting baby teeth!) at nighttime.

That may be because:

It’s quite common—in a study evaluating the signs and symptoms of primary tooth eruption in 254 children between 8 and 36 months of age; more than 82% experienced sleep disturbances.⁴ In other words, you’re not alone.

Nighttime typically means your little one has fewer distractions from their oral pain.

Your baby—just like a grown-up—may be less able to cope with their pain when they’re overtired.

Soothing Your Teething Babe with Monica + Andy

We know how exhausting soothing your teething baby at night can be. Monica + Andy is always here to help—whether that’s with our organic, sustainably-sourced & ethically-made products, our community classes + events, or simply our words of support and encouragement.

You’re not alone, and you and your babe will both be sleeping more soundly through the night again before you know it.

In the meantime, dive into our treasure trove of parenting tips, join the community, and in case no one’s told you today, just know that you’re doing great.

Sources:

"Safely Soothing Teething Pain and Sensory Needs in Babies and Older Children." FDA. 23 May, 2018.https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-soothing-teething-pain-and-sensory-needs-babies-and-older-children
"Baby teething symptoms." NHS. www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/teething/baby-teething-symptoms/
Massignan, Carla et al. “Signs and Symptoms of Primary Tooth Eruption: A Meta-analysis.”Pediatricsvol. 137,3 (2016): e20153501. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-3501
Memarpour, Mahtab et al. “Signs and symptoms associated with primary tooth eruption: a clinical trial of nonpharmacological remedies.”BMC oral healthvol. 15 88. 28 Jul. 2015, doi:10.1186/s12903-015-0070-2