Just as you thought you figured out your baby’s nightly routine, along comes a spanner in the works. This particular spanner comes in the form of a brand new, little tooth. While it can be exciting for parents, it can also be a very stressful and uncomfortable time for Mom and baby alike. The symptoms of teething can be irritating no matter the time or situation, but due to the baby’s distractions throughout the day, naptime and nighttime may seem a little bit more unbearable. 

Read along with us to figure out how to soothe your teething baby at night, and have them snooze peacefully once again. But before we get into that, first we need to figure out just why exactly your baby is crying at night. Let’s take a look at the symptoms of teething.

The Signs of Teething

Teething is a very normal sign of a healthy baby. Happy, maybe not so much. As we can imagine, teething is very uncomfortable for our little ones, they experience everything from rashes to swollen gums. There isn’t really any given time frame for when teething normally starts. But for the most part, baby’s will start to grow their first tooth around 6 months old. But it’s not uncommon for the first tooth to arrive not long after birth, or as late as one year. After that, your baby will continue to sprout new teeth until they have a full set of 20. That’s a lot of sleepless nights! That’s why it’s important to figure it out early on.

Here are some symptoms of teething to look out for:

Of course, these symptoms could be a sign of an entirely different problem. That’s why it’s best to keep an eye out to see if your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms at the same time. Don’t rule off ear pulling or refusal to eat as teething, since there is a possibility you may just have a sick baby who needs to visit a doctor. But usually, the rule of thumb is, if your baby is not experiencing a high fever, showing excess amounts of discomfort, and generally eating quite well, they’re probably just in the midst of teething. 

Now we know what the signs are, what are the best ways to help soothe a toothing baby? Well, I’m glad you asked! Below are a few ways to help comfort your baby, meaning no more crying at night and peaceful sleep. (For you, too!)

Soothing Remedies For Sleep

Studies show that a lack of sleep heightens our sensitivity towards pain, and it’s no different when it comes to our children too. So, when your baby is losing sleep due to pain, they are also feeling pain due to a lack of sleep. Seems like a hard cycle to break, doesn’t it? Well, thankfully for parents out there, there are many remedies and products on the market that help soothe teething babies. 

1. Create a Calm Environment

This is a great starting point on your journey towards a good night’s sleep. Creating an environment where your baby feels calm, loved, and protected is a great way to help them deal with discomfort. Continuing with your baby’s usual sleep schedule is very important. A good routine will trigger your baby’s subconscious into knowing their bedtime, therefore making them sleepy. A good way to bring comfort to your child is giving them a warm bath, singing to them, rocking them to sleep, and of course, lots and lots of cuddles. 

2. Rubbing The Gums With Your Fingers 

Using a clean finger or knuckle, you can gently massage your baby’s sore gums as they’re winding down for bed. Creating soft pressure is a good reliever of pain. 

3. Try Teething Toys

Teething toys are a great way to teach your baby how to self-soothe. They give off the same sensation as gently rubbing the gums, but this way, the baby has the freedom to do it whenever they like (with your supervision, of course!) They come in lots of different styles and materials. There are many things to keep in mind when purchasing a teething toy. If you’re finding yourself a little overwhelmed by the huge selection out there or worried that what you're purchasing may not be safe, check out our Lil’ Tots Sensory Hollow Teether Tube.

Our teething tubes come in a pack of varying bright colors. With the texture outlining the tubes, your baby will experience sensory stimulation as well as being attracted to them purely due to their bright and playful colors. They’re super easy to hold, bend and flex, meaning maximum reach to all teeth and painful areas. The fact that they are hollow means they can compress to provide ultimate teething relief. They’re made from super safe, FDA complement materials and are very easy to clean. Just chuck them in with your next dishwasher cycle, easy as pie! Also, did I mention they come in a pack of 4? No need to choose which color your child will enjoy the most, try them all!

4. Something Cold to Chew on

Chilled (not frozen!) items such as a washcloth, is a great way to provide some extra relief. Have a go at chilling our Tots Teething Tube to see if that helps your little one before bed.

5. Try an Over-the-counter Remedy

If you find that nothing is quite cutting it, maybe it’s time to try some pain medication alongside natural remedies. According to the mayo clinic, giving your baby medication such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol can help soothe your teething baby at night. Be sure to consult your doctor before going ahead, and always follow the proper dosage and diagnosis guidelines. 

What we Learnt

It can be frustrating knowing our child is experiencing discomfort and pain. But teething is just a natural way of growth. Don’t worry about it too much, once you get the whole sleeping while teething down to a T, things will become a lot easier for you and baby. Make sure to try all of the suggestions you read here today, to make sure your baby sleeps through the night. Creating a more happy and healthy environment for the whole household. 

Good luck on your journey in parenthood, and be sure to know Senso Minds are always here to lend a helping hand!