Do Babies Sleep More When Teething?

If your baby suddenly starts waking more at night, napping longer, or seeming extra tired, you might wonder: Do babies sleep more when teething? It’s a common question, and you’re definitely not alone in asking. Teething is one of those milestones that seems to change everything, especially a baby’s sleep habits.

Do babies sleep more when teething? There are many beliefs and even myths about what teething really does to sleep patterns. Some parents notice changes and assume more sleep means teething, while others find their little ones waking up constantly. Understanding what’s truly happening can help your family feel calm, prepared, and confident, rather than confused or worried about these shifts. Ahead, I’ll break down what you can actually expect when your baby starts teething and how it fits into their bigger sleep picture.

Understanding Teething and Sleep Changes in Babies

When your baby starts teething, it’s natural to keep an eye on every little change, especially when it comes to sleep. Many parents report shifts in nap schedules, nighttime restlessness, and even wonder if teething makes babies sleep more. These observations spark an important question: Is there really a predictable way teething affects how much and how well a baby sleeps?

Up next, you’ll get clarity on whether increased sleep is actually typical during teething or if disturbances and sleep loss are more common.

Do Babies Sleep More During Teething or Less?

Here’s the short answer: Most babies do not sleep more during teething. In fact, the opposite is often true. The experiences of sleep specialists reflect that teething discomfort usually disrupts a baby’s sleep rather than increasing it. The pain and tenderness in their gums wake them more frequently at night and make naps less restful.

It’s totally understandable why some parents feel like their little one is sleeping more at certain points during teething. What’s usually happening is that your baby’s nights are more disturbed, so they might seem extra tired during the day and take longer naps to make up for lost deep sleep. This isn’t teething making babies sleep longer, it’s actually a sign their rest at night wasn’t high quality or was broken up by discomfort.

In some cases, babies do have brief periods where they look like they’re sleeping more, but these windows are usually short and almost always follow poor nighttime sleep. If your baby suddenly naps much longer than normal during a teething episode, it may be their body’s natural way of catching up on rest after rough, interrupted nights.

Teething and Sleep: Common Myths and What Science Says

There are a few myths floating around that teething makes babies sleep more or, in contrast, means they’ll never sleep again! The biggest myth is that teething alone causes significant changes in overall sleep duration. While teething can cause sleep interruptions, it doesn’t usually lead to drastic increases or decreases in total sleep time.

Another misconception is that any sleep problem in babies 4–24 months must be due to teething. Sleeplessness or extra sleep might be explained by other developmental events, minor illnesses, or changes in daily routines. Experts like those at the American Academy of Pediatrics agree: if sleep issues are extreme or come with symptoms like a high fever or diarrhea, it’s more likely something other than teething is at play.

In my own experience as a mom, teething did bring extra night wakeups, but I didn’t see my kids sleep dramatically more; if anything, there were more tired days after a rough night! Knowing it’s normal can help lower the worry and guide you in soothing your little one back to better sleep.

Teething or Growth Spurt: How to Tell the Difference

• Changes in Appetite: During a growth spurt, babies tend to want to eat more often — sometimes all day and night. Teething, however, can make babies fussy at the breast or bottle, sometimes even refusing feeds because their gums feel sore.
• Type of Sleep Changes: Growth spurts usually bring longer naps and more sleep (your baby is growing, after all!). Teething, by contrast, leads to more wake-ups, shorter stretches of sleep at night, and possibly more daytime crankiness due to lost rest.
• Behavioral Clues: Teething babies will often drool a lot, chew on everything, and rub their faces or ears. Growth spurts don’t come with these specific symptoms, but may bring a suddenly clingy or extra-hungry baby.
• Physical Signs: Look for swollen, red gums, or see if a tooth is about to poke through; these are classic teething factors. With growth spurts, expect clothes to feel tighter and babies to outgrow onesies or sleep sacks quicker than you planned!
• Timing and Pattern: Growth spurts are often predictable around certain ages (like 3, 6, or 9 months), while teething can happen any time from 4 months onward. If sleep issues follow predictable milestones, a growth spurt could be the cause; sudden chewing and gum trouble point more to teething.

Recognizing the Early Symptoms of Teething in Infants

Knowing the very first signs of teething can be a game-changer for new parents. Babies can’t tell us “my gums hurt,” but their behaviors offer clues if you look closely. From drooling puddles to extra crankiness, these early indicators help you spot teething before a tooth actually appears.

When you notice these changes, it’s often a good cue to prepare for related shifts in both sleep and overall mood. The next few sections break down the key physical and behavioral symptoms to watch for, as well as how gum pain itself affects sleep and fussiness. Simple observation and knowledge can make those tough days a little easier to handle.

Most Common Teething Symptoms to Look For

• Drooling: Many teething babies drool much more than usual. You might find their shirts constantly wet or notice tiny drool rashes on their chin and neck. This is one of the earliest and most common teething symptoms.
• Chewing on Hands and Objects: Babies often chew on anything they can get their hands on, fingers, teething rings, or the edge of a sleep sack. Chewing is a natural way for them to soothe swollen gums.
• Red or Swollen Gums: If your baby lets you peek, you may spot inflamed, red, or swollen gums where a tooth is about to erupt. Sometimes you can even feel a hard bump under the surface.
• Increased Fussiness or Irritability: Teething pain can lead to sudden mood swings. A baby who’s usually happy and easygoing may become clingy, fussy, or more difficult to soothe, especially around feedings or nap time.
• Changes in Eating or Sleeping Patterns: Some babies refuse bottles or nursing because their gums hurt, while others want extra comfort feeds. Disrupted sleep, shorter naps, or extra night wakings are often reported during teething spells.

Teething Timeline: What Parents Should Know

Understanding the teething timeline can take a lot of stress out of this phase. Knowing when symptoms typically start, and when you can expect them to finally be over, helps you prepare mentally and practically. Every baby is unique, but there are some general age ranges that most little ones follow when it comes to their first and last teeth arriving.

Some babies are “early teethers,” starting just a few months old, while others don’t get their first tooth until after their first birthday. The teething journey continues until all the primary teeth, including molars, have erupted.

When Does Teething Start in Infants?

Teething typically begins in infants between 4 and 7 months old, though it can start a bit earlier or later depending on genetics and health. The first symptoms commonly appear as swollen gums, extra drooling, and a new interest in chewing on hands or toys. Once these signs show up, a first tooth is usually not far behind.

This timeframe is also when you might notice sleep changes for the first time. Knowing the usual starting age helps you link sudden fussiness or night wakings back to those first little teeth moving under the surface.

When Does Teething End for Toddlers?

Most children complete the teething process by their third birthday. By then, they’ll have a full set of 20 primary (“baby”) teeth, including those larger, often more uncomfortable molars at the back.

The last teeth to come in are usually the second molars, which can cause fresh rounds of discomfort and sleep disruption for some toddlers. For most families, teething symptoms will gradually fade, and mealtime and sleep routines will become smoother as these final teeth settle in.

Safe and Effective Teething Remedies for Better Sleep

• Chilled Teething Rings or Toys: These are classic for a reason. Place a silicone or rubber teething ring in the fridge for a cool, soothing effect on inflamed gums. Never freeze the ring, as it can become too hard or crack.
• Cold Washcloth or Gauze Pad: Dampen a clean washcloth or gauze, chill it in the refrigerator, and let your baby gnaw. This can provide natural numbing for sore gums and keep your little one’s hands busy, too.
• Gum Massage: Gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean, washed finger for a minute or two. This simple technique often offers immediate relief and is approved by pediatricians and pediatric dentists.
• Comfort Feeds (If Needed): Nursing or bottle feeds can be more soothing during teething, but watch for signs of refusal (it might mean their gums are extra sensitive). Offer feeds in a sleepy, low-lit room at night to keep your baby relaxed.

Teething vs Sleep Regression: What’s Really Disrupting Sleep?

It’s surprisingly easy to confuse teething troubles with sleep regressions; both can leave you with a tired, cranky baby and a string of sleepless nights. While they sometimes overlap, the causes and solutions aren’t always the same. Getting this distinction right is key to supporting better sleep and knowing when it’s time to call in extra help.

When to Contact a Pediatrician for Teething Symptoms

• High fever (over 100.4°F): Mild temperature elevation is normal, but consistent or high fevers usually point to infection, not teething.
• Persistent diarrhea or vomiting: Occasional loose stools are possible with extra drool, but true diarrhea, especially with dehydration signs, means something else is going on.
• Rashes beyond the chin or mouth: A classic “drool rash” on the face is common, but widespread or blistering rashes warrant a doctor’s visit.
• Uncontrollable crying or lethargy: If your baby can’t be soothed at all or appears excessively sleepy and uninterested in usual activities, seek care promptly.
• Refusing all food and fluids for more than a few hours: Temporary feeding changes are normal, but total refusal can point to more serious problems. Trust your instincts and call your healthcare provider if anything feels “off.”

FAQs

1. Can teething cause a baby to sleep much more?

Teething rarely causes noticeable increases in sleep. In fact, most babies have more restless nights and may take slightly longer naps to recover from poor overnight sleep, rather than sleeping much more overall.

2. Why are teething symptoms worse at night?

Babies are less distracted at night, making gum pain more noticeable. Natural body rhythms and inflammation responses can also increase discomfort and wakefulness after bedtime.

3. How can I tell if my baby’s crankiness is teething or something else?

Look for specific symptoms: lots of drooling, red or swollen gums, and chewing on objects suggest teething. If your baby has a fever, rash, diarrhea, or is very hard to soothe, call your pediatrician; these are not typical teething signs.

4. Which products actually help babies sleep better during teething?

Chilled silicone teething rings, soft baby pajamas (like those from Burt’s Bees Baby), safe sleep sacks, and gentle thermometers for fever checks all add comfort and reassurance during teething spells.

Supporting Better Sleep During Your Baby’s Teething Stage

Teething is a bumpy but totally normal part of infant development, and yes, it absolutely affects sleep, just not always in the ways you might expect. Rather than causing babies to sleep more, teething is more likely to bring extra nighttime wakeups and some daytime crankiness due to disturbed rest. Recognizing these patterns early lets you prepare for disruptions and know what’s just a passing phase.

If you’re looking to make your teething and sleep journey a little easier, I’d recommend checking out my favorite ready-to-ship sleep sacks, soft cotton baby pajamas, and reliable digital thermometers from trusted brands. These have genuinely made our nights smoother. Parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding tools and support to make the ride less bumpy. Here’s to sweeter dreams for you and your little one, even while those first teeth come in!