How to help your baby sleep when teething?

First and foremost, it’s essential to recognise that teething is a normal developmental stage for your little one. It typically begins around six months of age and can last until they are about two and a half or three years old. However, it's not a continuous process; it comes and goes as each tooth decides to make its grand entrance.

Teething manifests differently in every baby, but common signs include red and sore gums, flushed cheeks, excessive drooling, and irritability. Some babies may also exhibit changes in appetite, preferring to nurse more frequently or eat less solid food. It's important to remember that some babies are more affected by teething than others, so your little one's experience may vary.

When your baby is teething it can disrupt sleep, but typically, the disturbance lasts for only about three to seven days as the tooth cuts through. If your baby's sleep disturbances persist for weeks or months, teething might not be the sole culprit.

Well, there are a few reasons!

During the daytime babies tend to manage to distract themselves and can engage in activities which soothe and alleviate the discomfort; feeding, eating and chewing on toys, hands and fingers! This all helps relieve the pressure in the gums. However, when they have been asleep several hours, this pressure builds. Lying flat can also exacerbate teething pain due to increased pressure in the head. Plus, levels of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol tend to be lower at night, making discomfort more pronounced.