Do Babies Sleep More When Teething? Does it feel like they are awake more than ever, and you can't get them to rest no matter what? It may be due to teething! Teething is a common occurrence in babies that can affect their sleep patterns. In this blog post, we'll break down the symptoms of teething and provide helpful tips on how to help your baby get back into a healthy sleeping pattern. Read on to find out more!
When Do Babies Start Teething?
1. Baby’s First Tooth
Most babies start teething around six months old but some may get it as early as three months old or as late as twelve months old. Look for signs like drooling, crankiness, or chewing on their hands or toys that could be indicators that your baby is getting their first tooth.
2. The Bottom Two Teeth
Between seven and nine months, you can expect the bottom two front teeth to come in. This is usually followed by the top two front teeth at eight to twelve months.
3. Molars
About 8-12 months after the front teeth, molars come in which causes more discomfort due to their larger size and sharper edges. In addition to drooling and fussiness, these larger teeth may also cause redness and swelling of the gums.
4. Canines & Other Teeth
After the molars, your little one will get four canine teeth between 16-22 months of age along with other back teeth coming in through age two and three years old before they finish teething at around 3 years old with the second molars being the last ones to come in on either side of the mouth.
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What Are Baby Teething Symptoms?
Here are some common symptoms that indicate a baby is teething:
Swollen Gums
When a baby's teeth start to come out, it can be an exciting time for both your child and parents! A teething baby's face may swell and the baby's gums may become tender to the touch as the tooth pushes through. Drooling is common with teething babies, but other than that they won't appear too different. Eventually, their new set of baby teeth will bring a beautiful grin to your bundle of joy!
Red Cheeks And Face
Flushed cheeks and redness around the mouth and chin may be present as well, due to increased blood flow caused by swollen gums.
Irritability or Fussiness
When babies start teething, it often leads to fussiness and irritability. To help relieve this discomfort, the child's pediatrician can provide advice on teething rings or gentle brushing of the baby's teeth.
Parents should also be aware that teething babies may show symptoms such as disrupted sleep patterns or habits. It is important to reassure your child of your love and presence during the teething process, while also keeping a close watch on their wellbeing.
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Skin Irritation Around The Baby's Mouth
If your baby has a rash or other skin irritation around their mouth, it could be caused by excess drool from teething. Be sure to check with your pediatrician if this persists for longer than a few days or seems especially severe.
Increased Baby's Body Temperature
A low-grade fever may accompany teething in some cases; however, if your child's temperature rises significantly (over 101°F) or lasts more than 24 hours, contact your pediatrician right away.
Loss of Appetite
The discomfort associated with teething can make it difficult for babies to eat. If they seem uninterested in feeding, try giving them cool foods like applesauce or yogurt that won’t irritate their gums further.
Does Teething Make Babies Sleep More?
Teething can be an uncomfortable and bothersome time for babies, but it is important not to assume that it directly affects a baby's sleep patterns. Certainly, there are certain symptoms associated with teething that can make babies a little sleepier than usual and disrupt their sleep habits, such as fevers or increased discomfort.
On the other hand, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that a baby's inability to self-soothe may mean that teething pain could also lead to babies losing sleep during the night.
At the same time, parents should be mindful of additional changes which could affect the baby's sleep as a result of teething; modifying the baby's normal daytime or bedtime routine during teething could also affect the baby's overall restfulness.
Therefore it is wise to consider all possible causes of baby sleeping disruption before attributing it solely to teething.
Finally, if your baby doesn't seem to be getting enough sleep because of teething, it is best to check in with your pediatrician for tips and advice on how you can promote better quality rest.
Tips For Relieving Discomfort While Teething
1. Massage And Rubbing
If you notice that your little one is having difficulty during the teething process, gently massage their gums with a clean finger or a soft cloth. This can help reduce inflammation and reduce pain. You can also try rubbing their cheek in a circular motion to help soothe them while they are teething.
2. Cold Items
If your baby is dealing with sore gums, cold items can provide relief from the pain and discomfort. Try cold washcloths or even frozen fruits like bananas or applesauce in popsicle form for an extra sweet treat!
You can also purchase special teethers that have been chilled in the refrigerator to help numb their gums when they chew on them.
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3. Teething Tablets
Teething tablets are another great way to relieve discomfort during the teething process. These tablets contain natural ingredients such as chamomile and ginger root extract which can help soothe your baby’s sore gums and reduce inflammation associated with teething symptoms such as drooling and irritability. Make sure to read the label carefully before giving any medications to your child!
FAQs
What Is Teething Syndrome?
Teething syndrome, also known as “toothing” or “training” is a phenomenon that describes symptoms babies experience when their teeth are emerging from their gums. While most infants start teething around 6 months of age, with many cutting their first teeth at 12 months, the teething syndrome can begin as early as 4 months old and last until 3 years of age.
Can Teething Cause Tiredness In Babies?
The answer is yes; teething can lead to fatigue in babies due to increased levels of discomfort and the additional energy needed to be required for new teeth development. It's normal for your baby's sleep routine to become disrupted while they are teething, so it is important that you monitor the process carefully and provide extra comfort and support where necessary.
Conclusion
All in all, teething is hard on babies—and their parents. If you’re dealing with a fussy teether, there are some things you can do to help your little one (and yourself) get through it. And remember: this phase won’t last forever. Soon enough, those tiny teeth will be chatterboxes for the whole family to enjoy.