Do Babies Sleep More When Teething? What Parents Need to Know

Teething and sleep are one of the most confusing combinations parents face — and the honest answer is that teething can cause babies to sleep both more and less, depending on the day.

Most commonly, teething disrupts sleep. The discomfort of a tooth pushing through the gum makes it hard for babies to settle, causes more frequent night wakings, and can make the whole household exhausted for several days at a stretch. But teething sometimes coincides with growth spurts, during which babies genuinely do sleep more than usual.

Knowing what to expect — and what you can actually do to help — makes the whole phase much more manageable. This guide covers the full picture: the teething timeline, why sleep gets disrupted, what signs to watch for, and the most effective ways to help your baby rest.

Does Teething Make Babies Sleep More or Less?

The most common experience is less sleep — not more. Research shows that more than 80% of infants and toddlers experience sleep disturbances during active teething episodes. The discomfort of a tooth erupting through the gum tissue causes pain and inflammation that makes it difficult for babies to fall asleep and stay asleep, particularly at night.

Night is specifically harder than daytime for two reasons. During the day, activity and stimulation distract babies from discomfort. At night, with no distractions, the pain is more noticeable, and babies who might have been managing fine during the day will wake more frequently.

That said, some babies do sleep more during certain teething phases — particularly when teething coincides with a growth spurt. Sleep is essential for growth, and during growth spurts babies may sleep up to several hours more per day than usual. If your teething baby seems unusually sleepy but is otherwise comfortable, a growth spurt is the most likely explanation.

The Teething Timeline: When to Expect Sleep Disruption

Understanding which teeth come in and when helps parents anticipate the rough patches rather than being blindsided by them.

Around 6 months — Lower central incisors (bottom front teeth) The first teeth to erupt, and often the ones that cause the most noticeable sleep disruption simply because it's the first time a baby has experienced this sensation. Many parents notice a significant change in sleep around this milestone.

Around 8–12 months — Upper central and lateral incisors The upper front teeth follow. Sleep disruption is common but many babies handle subsequent teeth better than the first.

Around 12–16 months — First molars The first molars are wider and have a larger surface area to push through, making this one of the more uncomfortable teething phases. Sleep disruption at this stage is often more significant than the front teeth.

Around 16–20 months — Canine teeth The pointed canine teeth come in between the incisors and molars. Their sharp shape means they push through relatively quickly for most babies.

Around 20–30 months — Second molars The last baby teeth to erupt, and often the most uncomfortable. The second molars are the largest primary teeth and take longer to fully emerge. Sleep disruption during this phase is common.

Teething symptoms — including sleep disruption — typically begin about 4 days before a tooth breaks through the gum and continue for about 3 days afterward. This 7–8 day window is the peak disruption period for each tooth.

Signs Your Baby's Sleep Disruption Is Teething-Related

Not every sleep regression is caused by teething. Here's how to tell if teething is the likely culprit:

Signs that point to teething:

• Swollen, red, or bumpy gums — you can often see or feel the tooth just under the surface
• Excessive drooling beyond your baby's baseline
• Chewing or gnawing on everything — fingers, toys, the crib rail
• A chin or face rash from drool
• Fussiness and irritability that is worse in the evening and overnight
• Rubbing their cheeks or ears
• Reduced appetite — gums are sore and feeding can hurt

Signs that are NOT directly caused by teething (despite common belief):

• High fever (above 38°C / 100.4°F) — teething does not cause true fever. If your baby has a significant fever, contact your pediatrician
• Diarrhea or vomiting — not caused by teething, though they can coincide due to developmental changes and increased hand-mouthing that exposes babies to more bacteria

When to contact your pediatrician:

• Fever above 38°C / 100.4°F
• Diarrhea or vomiting alongside sleep disruption
• Significant distress you are unable to soothe
• Sleep disruption lasting more than 2 weeks without any visible tooth progress

How to Help Your Teething Baby Sleep Better

These are the most effective approaches, organized from the simplest to the most interventional:

Keep the Bedtime Routine Consistent

Consistency is the most important thing you can do for a teething baby's sleep. When babies are uncomfortable and out of sorts, their familiar routine — bath, feeding, song, sleep — provides the predictability that helps them settle. Abandoning the routine during teething often creates sleep habits that are harder to undo than the teething phase itself.

Apply Pressure to the Gums Before Bed

Pressure provides reliable relief from teething discomfort. Before the bedtime routine begins:

• Gently massage the sore gum area with a clean finger for 1–2 minutes
• Offer a firm (not liquid-filled) teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator — not frozen, which can be too hard and damage gum tissue
• Allow your baby to chew on a clean, chilled damp washcloth

The pressure and cold together help reduce inflammation and numb the area, making it easier for your baby to settle.

Use Cold Strategically

Cold reduces gum inflammation and provides temporary numbing relief. Beyond chilled teething rings:

• For babies eating solids, cold soft foods like chilled yogurt, cold pureed fruit, or refrigerated soft vegetables can provide relief before bed
• A chilled spoon gently pressed to the gums
• Avoid anything frozen solid, as extreme cold can damage gum tissue and numb too aggressively

What NOT to use:

• Teething gels containing benzocaine (like Orajel) — the FDA advises against these for children under 2, as benzocaine can cause a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia
• Amber teething necklaces — pose choking and strangulation risks and have no proven benefit
• Homeopathic teething tablets — the FDA has warned against several products of this type
• Aspirin — never give aspirin to children

Looking After Your Baby's New Teeth

Once a tooth breaks through, it immediately needs care. Many parents wait until there are several teeth before starting dental hygiene, but the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is to begin as soon as the first tooth appears.

• Wipe new teeth with a soft damp cloth or a small infant toothbrush after feedings
• Never put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice — liquid pooling against new teeth overnight is the primary cause of Early Childhood Caries (baby bottle tooth decay)
• Schedule your baby's first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing

Starting dental care early — before problems develop — is always easier than treating problems later.

Book your baby's first dental visit at Kidco Dental

Frequently Asked Questions

Do babies sleep more when teething?

Most babies sleep less during active teething due to gum pain and discomfort that is more noticeable at night. However, some babies sleep more when teething coincides with a growth spurt, during which increased sleep is normal and healthy. The most common pattern is disrupted night sleep with more frequent wakings for several days around the time each tooth erupts.

Does teething make babies sleepy?

Teething itself does not cause sleepiness. However, if teething coincides with a growth spurt — which it sometimes does — babies may sleep significantly more than usual. If your teething baby is unusually sleepy but comfortable and otherwise well, a growth spurt is the most likely explanation.

Can teething cause drowsiness?

Not directly. Drowsiness during a teething phase is more likely related to growth spurts, accumulated sleep debt from disrupted nights, or an unrelated illness. If your baby seems excessively drowsy along with other concerning symptoms, contact your pediatrician.

How long does teething disrupt sleep?

Each teething episode typically disrupts sleep for about 7–8 days — beginning around 4 days before the tooth breaks through and resolving about 3 days afterward. If sleep disruption persists for longer than 2 weeks, another cause should be considered.

What helps a teething baby sleep through the night?

The most effective combination is maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, applying gentle gum pressure before bed using a chilled teething ring or clean finger massage, and using infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (age-appropriate) before bedtime if discomfort is significant. Giving pain relief before the wake-up rather than after is more effective for keeping babies asleep.

Do infants sleep more when teething or less?

Most infants sleep less during active teething. Research indicates over 80% of infants and toddlers experience sleep disturbances when a tooth is erupting. The minority who sleep more during teething phases are typically experiencing a concurrent growth spurt rather than responding to teething itself.

When does teething start affecting sleep?

Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, and this is often when the first significant teething-related sleep disruption occurs. However, some babies begin showing teething symptoms — drooling, gum swelling, fussiness — as early as 3–4 months, even before any tooth breaks through.

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