Yes, teething can change sleep patterns in babies, but extra sleep is not guaranteed and many infants actually wake more often.
Parents often notice new drool, sore gums, and a shift in naps right before a tooth shows. Gum tenderness can raise fatigue in some infants, so a few will nap longer. Others wake more at night and seem tired the next day. The goal here is to sort normal teething signs from red flags and to share calm, safe steps that support rest.
Do Teething Babies Sleep More? What Research Shows
Large studies point to a mixed picture. Caregivers report changes in rest around tooth eruption, yet objective sleep tracking does not always show longer sleep. Mild gum pain, drool, and a need to chew are common. Fever, strong crying bouts, vomiting, or diarrhea point to another cause and need a call to your clinician.
| Symptom | What You’ll See | Likely Sleep Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Drooling | Wet chin; bib swaps | May wake from damp skin or rash care |
| Gum Tenderness | Chewing on hands, toys | Short night wakings; some nap longer |
| Irritability | Fussy at feeds or bedtime | Harder to settle at night |
| Ear Or Cheek Rubbing | Rubs jaw or ears | Brief wakings while settling |
| Small Temp Rise | Under 100.4°F (38°C) | Occasional extra drowsiness |
| True Fever | 100.4°F+ (38°C+) | Not a teething sign; call your clinician |
Why Rest Can Shift During Tooth Eruption
Gums swell as a tooth pushes toward the surface. Chewing offers pressure relief, which is why firm teethers help. Saliva flow rises and can lead to a drool rash that stings when damp. Nighttime brings fewer daytime distractions, so a dull ache can feel louder and cause more wakeups. After the tooth breaks through, sleep often resets within a few days.
Mixed Data From Studies
Prospective work in pediatrics notes drool, gum rubbing, and mild temperature bumps near the day a tooth appears. Many parents also report sleep changes. In contrast, newer motion-based tracking across many nights found no clear jump in total sleep time on teething nights. Taken together, teething can nudge sleep quality, but it does not always add extra hours.
Safe Ways To Keep Sleep On Track
Comfort choices matter more than speed. Pick simple, proven aids and avoid risky gels and tablets. Keep the bedtime routine steady so cues feel familiar.
Soothing Tactics That Help
- Chilled Teether: Firm rubber chilled in the fridge eases gum pressure. Skip frozen toys; ice can stick to skin.
- Cold Washcloth: A clean cloth from the fridge works as a safe chew toy.
- Gum Massage: Wash your hands and rub the gums in small circles for a minute before bed and naps.
- Moisture Care: Pat drool, apply a thin layer of barrier ointment to cheeks and chin, and swap wet bibs fast.
- Room Rhythm: Dark room, steady white noise, and the usual bedtime steps cue the brain for rest.
Medicine: When And How
Some families use infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen for short-term relief at night. Ask your pediatric clinician for weight-based guidance and timing. Skip oral gels with benzocaine or lidocaine and avoid homeopathic tablets; regulators warn about safety risks and limited benefit. See the FDA safety update on teething pain and pediatric advice on drug-free teething care.
Red Flags That Point Beyond Teething
Teeth do not cause high fever, long crying spells, bad cough, vomiting, or watery stools. If sleepiness pairs with those signs, treat it as illness until cleared. Seek care for fevers at or above 100.4°F (38°C), signs of ear pain with fever, poor wet diapers, or a rash that spreads.
Practical Sleep Playbook During Tooth Eruption
Small tweaks prevent a rough week from snowballing. Use this simple plan to protect naps and nights while the tooth comes through.
| What To Do | Why It Helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Start Bed 15 Minutes Early | Counters extra fatigue | Keep wake windows flexible |
| Add A Pre-Bed Chew | Relieves gum pressure | Use chilled, firm toys |
| Brief Comfort At Night | Reduces stress spikes | Keep lights low, voices soft |
| Protect The Skin | Stops rash sting that wakes | Barrier ointment after each wipe |
| Hydrate Well By Day | Dry mouth can worsen ache | Offer extra breastfeeds or bottles |
| Ask About Pain Doses | Short-term night relief | Use only clinician-approved dosing |
Age-By-Age Notes
Four To Six Months
First teeth often appear around this window, though timing varies. Many babies wake a bit more and want extra chewing time. Keep naps, offer a cool teether, and add a short gum massage before bed.
Seven To Nine Months
Multiple teeth may erupt in a row. Daytime practice with solids can be bumpy due to sore gums. Stick to soft textures and slow the pace if you see pulling away or grimacing. Nights may look choppy for a few days with each tooth.
Ten To Fourteen Months
Molars start to press under the gums. Ache can feel deeper at night. A pre-bed pain plan cleared by your clinician can be useful during this stage if soothing alone falls short.
Fifteen To Thirty Months
Second molars finish the set. Sleep can swing during this stage due to teeth plus leaps in movement and language. Keep the same bedtime window and reinforce wind-down cues.
When Extra Sleep Happens
A few infants do nap longer on sore-gum days. That pattern often fades within two or three days after a tooth breaks through. Long daytime sleep paired with poor night sleep may signal too much daytime rest; trim a nap by ten minutes and watch the next night.
When Sleep Shortens Instead
Many families report shorter nights and more wakes during tooth eruption. Use quick reassurance, offer a safe chew before bed, and keep feeds steady. Once the tooth appears, return to your usual response pattern so new habits do not stick.
Sleep Tracking Tips For Clarity
Short term logs help separate teething noise from a schedule issue. Track wake windows, nap lengths, bedtime, night wakes, and total sleep. If total sleep looks normal but wakes feel higher, the fix is often comfort plus time. If total sleep dips for a week or more, look at bedtime timing and nap balance.
Sample Day Plan During A Sore Patch
Morning: Offer a chilled teether after the first feed. Keep the first wake window a touch shorter. Midday: Protect the nap space from noise and light. Add a quick gum massage before the nap. Late Afternoon: Fresh air and gentle play burn energy without overstimulating. Evening: Add a pre-bed chew and a warm bath. Keep screens off. Night: If your baby wakes, soothe briefly without full play or bright lights.
Myths That Trip Up Sleep Care
“Teething Always Causes Fever And Long Naps”
Low, brief temperature bumps can sit near tooth days, yet true fever points to illness. Long naps without other teething signs can be plain catch-up sleep.
“Topical Numbing Gels Are A Quick Fix”
Products with benzocaine or lidocaine raise safety concerns and provide poor relief in this setting. Safer picks are gum massage, chilled teethers, and a clinician-approved pain plan at bedtime when needed.
“A New Tooth Means The Schedule Is Broken”
Most babies return to baseline sleep once the tooth cuts through. Hold the routine steady and make small changes only if problems linger.
When To Call Your Clinician
- Fever at or above 100.4°F (38°C) or a fever that lasts more than a day.
- Hard crying for hours, stiff neck, weak feeding, or fewer wet diapers.
- Ear tugging with fever, drainage, or clear ear pain.
- Vomiting, watery stools, or a rash that spreads beyond drool areas.
Bottom Line For Tired Parents
Tooth eruption can shake up rest, yet it does not always add sleep. Aim for steady routines, safe soothing, and a watchful eye for signs that point to illness. With that mix, most babies return to baseline sleep soon after the new tooth shows.