Teething can be rough. I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you. Toothache as an adult is the worst, so I feel like it’s so important to have empathy when your little one is teething as they truly just hurt a lot, and don’t know why!
With that being said, so many parents blame poor sleep on teething... For months and months. And that just isn't the case.
Teething becomes painful about 4 days before the tooth physically erupts through the gums. Before this, it’s unlikely they are going to be fussy or showing other signs of teething.
This is great! It means that teething won’t last weeks and weeks like some parents may indicate. Your baby may have a few teeth come through at the same time, which can be a really tough couple of weeks (for both of you), but overall, the hardest part will only last a few days. PHEW!
REMEMBER…
It’s totally natural, and not something to be worried about. It causes gum pain, but not horrible intense pain that will scar your baby forever! Below I will share proven symptoms of teething, timeframes, red flags, and tips to help your baby!
TEETHING MYTHS VS REALITY
There IS SO MUCH information out there on teething so I want to simplify what are true and proven signs of teething vs inaccurate old wives tales.
Proven signs of teething Include:
- Drooling
- Small rash on the face from drooling
- Swollen gums
- White nubs poking through the gums
- Increased chewing and gnawing!!
- Fussiness
FALSE signs of teething Include:
- Diaper/nappy rash
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Excessive crying
If your baby has a fever, it’s important not to write it off as a sign of teething. Doing this can cause delay in treatment for an actual medical problem. If your child has a fever and is acting very sick, make sure to contact their doctor immediately.
HOW TO HELP YOUR BABY THROUGH TEETHING PAIN:
These tips are shown to be the most effective teething comfort tips for your baby:
- Teething/chew toys and teething rings: Having something to chew on will help your baby release some feeling of pressure from the tooth erupting.
- Extra tip: If your baby is too little to use a teething ring, or just doesn’t seem to take to one, try dipping a corner of a clean washcloth in breastmilk or formula, and placing in the freezer for a little while. Then offer to your baby to chew on!
- Lots of cuddling: One study actually calls it cuddle therapy which I just think is so cute. Don’t be worried about your baby becoming “clingy” during teething. They hurt and they need a cuddle from their loved one at this moment and that’s ok.
- Gum massage: Use a clean, cool finger to rub your little one’s gums where the tooth is erupting. This can provide some temporary relief to your baby.
- Pain Medicine: Ask your child’s health care provider about Tylenol or Motrin for teething pain relief. Please use their directions ONLY for dosage. Please note: Motrin is not for babies under 6 months of age.
TIPS TO AVOID:
- Although many parents swear by them, please refrain from using teething jewelry. This includes: Baltic Amber teething necklaces, wood/silicone, or any form of teething beads/jewelry.
- Please note: Teething jewelry is a main cause for infant death through strangulation, choking, and suffocation (even supervised daytime use). With regards to the science of baltic amber teething necklaces, they have actually been disproved to be effective at all. The claim is that amber beads release tiny amounts of succinic acid when warmed by the baby's skin, which then passes into the bloodstream and acts as a pain reliever. There is actually no evidence that this is true, and you can read more about that here.
- Avoid teething gels without a prescription. Although common practice when we were babies, many gels have benzocaine in them which are not approved by the FDA at any age. This is because it can cause choking and allergic reactions and is very harmful if used in the first 2 years of life. It also only provides a very temporary relief… so really isn’t worth the risk! Use the above approved options instead!
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH SLEEP WHEN YOUR BABY IS TEETHING!
So technically… teething isn’t supposed to cause any disruption to sleep…. BUT it’s often one of the most reported symptoms of teething, and something that parents really want help with! So here are some realistic expectations:
Have hope: Some babies truly will sleep 12 hours overnight and wake up with 2 new teeth. It’s not unheard of, and it could be your baby!
Don’t be upset or think something is wrong if this isn’t your baby. I am a sleep consultant, and my daughter really struggled with night wakings when she was teething. Every baby is different!
BEDTIME TEETHING TIPS
- Offer chew toys/frozen cloth during bath time to help ease the pressure before bed.
- Give them a gum massage during bedtime routine.
- Offer pain medicine via direction from your child’s pediatrician.
- Offer cuddles and a feeding during a night waking due to teething. Don’t be afraid of things being “messed up.”
- Once that tooth has popped through, make sure to get RIGHT back to your normal routines and lay your baby down awake for bedtime and naps! This is probably the most important part!! Don’t delay this part, because backtracking is much harder.
- They may take a couple of days to get back on track, but be consistent and you’ll have your good little sleeper back in no time!
Breastfeeding your teething baby may seem daunting, but it’s entirely manageable. In fact, breastfeeding can be one of the best tools for comforting your baby through the discomfort of teething.
The late-night wakings, the drool (THE DROOL!), pearly white chompers, the fear for your nipples.
Yep, we’re talking about breastfeeding your teething baby.
There’s no doubt about it: Teething can be a challenging time for moms and babies alike. For babies, it’s physically painful to sprout new teeth. For moms, it’s distressing to see their littles in discomfort. What’s more, you may worry about how teething can impact your breastfeeding journey.
We’re here to reassure you: It doesn’t have to.
These symptoms often show up in breastfeeding behavior. For example, your baby may constantly want to nurse, or they may avoid nursing. Swollen gums may make latching more difficult, or they may try biting or chewing while on the breast.
This might make you cringe and reconsider breastfeeding at all. Remember that they’re looking for ways to relieve discomfort. The pressure on their gums as teeth begin to erupt can be highly uncomfortable—clamping down on something can feel good.
Note that not all babies experience significant discomfort during teething. What’s more, even if they do, getting new teeth often gets more manageable as your baby gets older. What is initially an aching pain at 5 months old may become more manageable when they are 8 months old.
Nursing and teething babies
Is breastfeeding a baby with teeth worrying you? It shouldn’t. When babies are nursing correctly, their tongue moves past their gums to draw in the nipple, meaning their tongue shields your nipple from their teeth. What’s more, babies use their gums to compress the areola to express milk. So even if babies have a mouth full of teeth, they don’t need them at all to get milk.
That being said, if your baby does bite in response to teething discomfort, there are lots of things you can try to help him, or her manage the pain.
Before nursing
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Give your baby a frozen washcloth before nursing to help numb their gums. Another option? Breast milk popsicles or mesh feeder bags with frozen breast milk subes to chew on for comfort.
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Massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger.
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Hand express before latching—quicker access to breast milk may help your baby focus on nursing more quickly and easily.
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If your baby is old enough, you may be able to give them an age-appropriate dose of baby Tylenol/acetaminophen. (But always check with your baby’s healthcare provider before doing so.)
While nursing
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Adjust breastfeeding positions to shift pressure points and help your baby find a more comfortable latch.
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Pay attention to your baby’s feeding patterns. If you sense your baby is slowing down his or her feeding, fidgeting, shifting the tongue, or tightening the jaw, unlatch your baby and offer him or her a cold washcloth or teething toy to relieve discomfort. After your baby has had a chance to bite or chew, try breastfeeding again.
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Consider distracting your baby during nursing. For example, sing a song, give them a toy to play with, nurse in a new location, or simply talk to them.
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What’s more, breast milk has analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities. That means that your breast milk itself can help reduce pain and discomfort for your baby.
If your baby bites
- Break suction immediately and offer him or her a cold washcloth or teething toy.
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Calmly tell your baby, “No biting!”
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If your baby wants to nurse again, offer the breast—but if he or she bites or clamps down again, discontinue and find another way to comfort him or her.
If your baby bites or clamps down hard enough to break the skin, wash the area with soap and water and apply antibiotic cream after each feeding until the injury has healed.
What if my baby won’t nurse when teething?
This situation can be just as concerning as biting—sometimes even more so. You want to be sure your baby is well-nourished, after all!
Start by checking if your baby has a temperature over 100.4 or for any other sign of illness. If your baby is otherwise fine, try the suggestions above (offering a cold washcloth or teething toy, changing nursing positions, etc.). If those don’t work, offer your baby expressed milk in a cup or a bottle.
However, if biting is a problem, discourage your baby from chewing or biting on the bottle nipple. You want to prevent your baby from developing problematic feeding behaviors!
Teething remedies to avoid
- Orajel/benzocaine, viscous lidocaine, and other topical anesthetics. These solutions pose serious health risks to infants and young children. Moreover, they numb your baby’s mouth and make breastfeeding more difficult. As of 2012, the FDA has recommended against the use of benzocaine products in children under 2 years old as they may lead to a rare but serious condition known as methemoglobinemia.
- Homeopathic teeth tablets and gels. While homeopathic remedies often present themselves as safer and more natural, they are unregulated by the FDA and contain dangerous substances. For example, in 2017, the FDA found inconsistent levels of belladonna, a toxic plant, in homeopathic teething tablets, sometimes exceeding the amount on the label.
- Teething necklaces. Amber and hazelwood necklaces claim to diminish teething pain, but they pose a severe risk for strangulation and choking
- Clove oil. Some homeopathic medical practitioners recommend clove oil for teething pain, but clove oil may lead to seizures, liver damage, and fluid imbalances if ingested by children.
Teething doesn’t last forever
Late nights, crabby babies, and, yes, drool. Teething isn’t easy, but it’s a short stage. Within a week, your baby will be back to his or her old self. And as pointed out, teething often gets easier to deal with as your baby gets older. Not only does he or she become more accustomed to the sensation of teething, but you also learn the best techniques to soothe your little one.
