### Additional Tips for Helping Your Teething Baby Sleep
1. **Comfortable Sleep Environment**: Ensure your baby’s sleep environment is conducive to relaxation. Use soft bedding, soothing colors, and calming sounds to create a peaceful atmosphere.
2. **Offer Gentle Comfort**: Provide gentle comfort to your baby when they are experiencing teething discomfort. Rocking, singing, or gentle pats can help soothe them to sleep.
3. **Use Teething Toys Strategically**: Introduce teething toys at bedtime to help distract your baby from teething pain. Make sure the toys are safe and appropriate for your baby’s age.
4. **Monitor Teething Progress**: Keep track of your baby’s teething progress and adjust your sleep routine as needed. Some nights may be more challenging than others, so be flexible in your approach.
5. **Stay Calm and Patient**: Remember that teething is a temporary phase, and it’s important to stay calm and patient throughout the process. Your baby may be experiencing discomfort, so provide extra love and support during this time.
By incorporating these additional tips into your teething baby’s sleep routine, you can help them get the rest they need to grow and thrive. Remember to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your baby’s teething symptoms or sleep patterns.

Other ways to help a teething baby

Understanding your baby’s sleep patterns is essential for soothing a crying baby at night. Limit exposure to blue light from screens before bedtime to enhance melatonin production. A pre-bedtime massage may help calm uneasy babies. For babies over 6 months, chewing on raw fruits or vegetables before bedtime can be beneficial.

When to see a doctor

If your baby is experiencing severe teething pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter remedies such as Nurofen for Children, it is important to consult your GP as soon as possible. Signs that your baby may need medical attention include excessive drooling, persistent fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or refusal to eat. In case of emergency, call NHS 111 for immediate advice.

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HELP & SUPPORT

Consult your GP or Pharmacist for more information and advice on teething pain relief. Various Nurofen products are available to address different pain relief needs.

Teething and its impact on your baby’s sleep can cause disruptions. Learn about the symptoms and methods to manage them.

Let’s Start with the Basics of Teething

The teething process typically commences around 6 months, although the timing can vary. Drooling and putting hands in the mouth are common early developmental signs. Providing teether toys can assist with swollen gums and prepare for solid foods.

What are the Common Symptoms?

Common teething symptoms include gum inflammation, irritability, and excessive drooling. Symptoms like fever, diarrhea, cough, and rashes are not directly related to teething. It’s important to note that some babies may also experience mild pain, disrupted sleep, and loss of appetite during teething. It’s always best to consult with a pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s teething symptoms.

What are the best teething remedies?

Straightforward teething remedies include gum massage, cool washcloths, breastmilk or fruit-filled mesh feeders (for babies over 6 months), and acetaminophen or Motrin (for babies over 6 months, consult a pediatrician). Motrin can be beneficial for teething discomfort in babies over 6 months.

Consider using Motrin, as it has anti-inflammatory properties (gums become inflamed during teething) and lasts longer than Acetaminophen! If you suspect teething is causing daytime behavioral issues, consider giving a dose before bed. Teething symptoms typically last 24-72 hours before the tooth emerges, so you should not experience more than 2-3 challenging nights in a row. Always consult your pediatric provider before administering any medication to your baby!

Avoid using homeopathic remedies, amber teething necklaces, and numbing agents in teething gels as they are unsafe and ineffective. Necklaces pose a strangulation and choking hazard, while homeopathic and numbing agents can have potential side effects.

So what about teething and my baby’s sleep?

Teething occurs intermittently over a span of 2-3 years until your baby has all 20 teeth!

Although blaming teething for sleep disturbances is common, teething discomfort is not severe enough to cause weeks or months of disrupted sleep. Symptoms typically last only 24-72 hours before the tooth emerges, resulting in 2-3 challenging nights at most per tooth.

Inadequate sleep can heighten pain sensitivity, so ensuring your baby gets sufficient sleep is crucial for managing teething discomfort. Establishing a healthy sleep routine early on is beneficial, but it’s never too late to start!

It’s easier to identify teething symptoms in a well-rested baby

If your baby struggles to fall asleep, it can be difficult to discern whether wake-ups are due to teething or sleep associations. Since teething symptoms are short-lived, prolonged disrupted sleep may indicate other issues.

What Can I Do to Help My Baby Sleep when Teething?

• Maintain consistent daytime and bedtime routines
• Use teething toys throughout the day and at bedtime
• Observe daytime behavior for signs of disrupted sleep
• Consider administering approved medication before bedtime if necessary
• Provide comfort without establishing new sleep habits

Teething is a natural part of the first few years of life, and disruptions should not persist for weeks or months. Persistent sleep problems may indicate underlying issues beyond teething.

Sleep Resources to help your baby

If you’re struggling with nighttime wake-ups and short naps, consider the 4-24 Month Well Rested Collection for tailored sleep training. Personalized sleep coaching is also available starting at 3 months to help improve your baby’s sleep quality.