Teething & Sleep

We all know that teething babies can sometimes be very cranky, and with good reason I'd say!! 

But this doesn't mean that your little one needs to be awake for hours during the night or brought into bed with you for comfort. 

Once little ones have the skills they need to sleep through the night independently, many just sleep on through the discomfort or at the very most need a little pain reliever*,
a little snuggle, and back into the crib, then they are back to dream land, just like that.

I have so many babies that begin popping 2-3 teeth at once in the middle of their sleep training program, because they are now getting the sleep that they need at night to grow and develop how they should, many have a growth spirt as well, and those new teeth cause little to no disturbance to their night sleep. It's amazing!

So, please do not change your expectations just because you suspect your little one might be teething. Remember that he will likely be teething for about 2 years; that's a lot of unnecessary sleepless nights! 

Teething may be the cause of a wake-up here or there and he may need a little extra comfort, a few more snuggles but don't confuse him by changing his routines, or your expectations; because he may just decide that he likes things better this new way and then you have a whole new set of sleep habits to break.  

So stick to your sleep expectations, routines and sleep boundaries and he will come through the teething episode with some mild disruption that doesn't last. 

Wondering how to tell the difference between a teething baby and a sick baby???
Check out this article from Today's Parent. 

*if the parent feels pain reliever is appropriate.

​Erin Neri

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