When does teething start?

Babies typically start teething when they're 6 months old, but can start teething anywhere from before 4 months and after 12 months, although some babies are even born with some teeth.

How can you tell if you have a teething baby (other than seeing a tooth emerge)? Some symptoms you might notice are:

  • One flushed cheek
  • A mild fever
  • A rash on their face
  • They're not sleeping well
  • Dribbling more than usual
  • Your baby is rubbing their ear
  • Gnawing and chewing on things
  • Sore, red gums
  • Being more uncomfortable than usual

6 ways to help soothe a teething baby at night

Ready to find out how to help a teething baby sleep? Hopefully you'll get that good night's sleep you've been daydreaming of.

Room temperature

To make your baby more comfortable and help them get better sleep, the room cannot be too cold or too hot. Be careful not to put your baby in too many layers of clothing or to wrap them in blankets that are too thick and warm.

When the body is too warm, it can become harder to sleep. Being too cold isn’t good for promoting sleep either. The best room temperature for good sleep is between 16°C and 20°C.

Cuddles

We love cuddling! Cuddling and comforting your little one promotes loads of well-being in both of you and brings comfort and a feeling of safety to your baby. Skin-on-skin contact also helps babies feel calmer.

Cuddles can make the world seem like a much better place for a baby suffering from teething pain as it provides a distraction from the pain

Massage their gums

Gently massaging baby’s gums can bring some momentary relief, but make sure your finger is clean before you do!

White noise to soothe and distract them

White noise can help distract baby from any pain and discomfort, and listening to white noise can help your baby (and you) fall asleep.

Give them a cool teething ring before bed

If your baby is constantly chewing on things, get them something safe to chew on like a teething ring. It can also help distract them from the pain and discomfort. Check the instructions as some teething rings can be cooled in the fridge which can help soothe your baby's gums.

Try giving them medicine to help with teething pain

If you want pain relief, you can give your baby either children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen if they’re over 3 months for teething pain.

Remember to always check the dosage instructions before you give your baby medicine, and follow the instructions carefully.

Other ways to help a teething baby

Restless and unsettled babies can lead to restless and unsettled families, especially when no one’s really sleeping much. Adding teething to the mix, may cause more tears than expected! There are a few things we can do to help settle our babies, though, whether teething or just unhappy.

Becoming aware of baby’s sleep patterns is key, when it comes to soothing a crying baby at night time. We want to help promote melatonin at night, so turning off all screens that emit blue light ((like the TV or a phone) an hour before bedtime is a good idea. If your baby is struggling to sleep because of teething pain and blue light interferes with their melatonin production as well, it’s going to be even harder for them to fall asleep.

Giving baby a massage before bed may help with calming and bonding, which will help settle a baby who’s uncomfortable.

If baby is teething, raw fruits and vegetables to chew on may bring some relief - though of course, your baby does need to be 6 months or older; you can give them solid finger foods to chew on at their last feeding of the evening to give them relief before bed. Always watch your baby when they are eating in case they choke.

When to see a doctor

As a parent, you know your baby. If they have any symptoms that are making you feel concerned, speak to your GP or call NHS 111.

Also speak to your GP or pharmacist if you want more information on the medication you can give your baby for teething pain, as well as how to give them their medicine.

Here’s hoping everyone ends up with a good night’s sleep.

Don’t forget, you can try giving them Nurofen for Children if needed; it can help with teething pain relief relief before bed.. You focus on catching the ZZZs, and we’ll handle teething pain relief.

If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health matters for further information or medical advice, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.