Teething symptoms and how to manage sleep!
Something you are never quite prepared for as a parent…a teething baby! Not only can this be such a painful time for your little one but it can also cause many underlying issues which can impact sleep.
When we think about teething, we can think about eight common signs and symptoms:
Swollen and red gums. This is such a difficult time of teething. You will more than likely also see the white part of the tooth ready to erupt. Rest assured that once that little tooth pops through you will likely see a change in behaviour and comfort level from your baby.
Oh yes, lots and lots of drool. This is one of the first symptoms we think of when it comes to teething. Baby bibs to the rescue!
Raised body temperature (but not a full-blown fever). A teething baby can have a raised internal body temperature from teething. If you’re inching towards the point of a fever (i.e., 38C or 100.4F), you’re probably looking at another reason as to why your baby isn’t acting their usual self.
Looser stool (but probably not diarrhea). When your baby is drooling a lot, this also means that they will likely be swallowing quite a bit of extra saliva at the same time. As a result, this can cause their stool to be looser. If you are seeing diarrhea, again, likely there is another issue that you may want to monitor or seek medical attention for.
Refusal to feed. This is usually more a refusal to eat solid foods but sometimes at the peak of sore gums it can mean your baby’s appetite is at a low and bottle/breast is less desirable.
Biting toys, hands…or actually anything they can get their hands on. Give a teething baby anything and it will likely go in their mouth. The counter pressure is relieving when they bite down.
Rash around mouth and chin. This is caused by that pesky extra saliva.
Rubbing and pulling at ears and cheeks. Your little one could be doing this because the pain from the tooth/teeth ready to come through the gums can actually spread across the face, cheeks and into the ears.
When we think about sleep or sleep training during a teething period, my biggest tip is to continue to keep your routine as consistent as possible. If your baby is a newborn, start thinking about what your nighttime routine may look like and start implementing some of those steps right away. My Newborn Guide can help you with this stage!
If your baby is teething and you are considering starting sleep training or have recently started, I would recommend hitting the pause button and comforting your baby through those difficult times. You can get back on track when the time is right.
And for the baby who is a great sleeper but is struggling with teething, again, keep your routine consistent and know that the time will pass. Use a pain reliever medication, if necessary, and don’t forget that extra cuddles can go a long way too.
As always, I’m here to support you through the teething stages too. Whether it be through a 30-minute phone consult or a quick email chat, you can bet I’ll be here for you.
Lindsey
Lindsey Hennigar is the founder of The Sleep Ranch and a Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant. She helps exhausted parents and families get the healthy, restorative sleep they need. Your child can LOVE sleep!