Teething gets blamed for a lot of rough nights, and I get it—it’s an easy go-to explanation when sleep suddenly falls apart. Your baby is extra fussy, they’re chewing on everything in sight, and their sleep has taken a nosedive. It must be teething, right?
Maybe. But before we pin all those wake-ups on teething, let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on.
The Truth About Teething and Sleep
Yes, teething can be uncomfortable. Some babies experience swollen gums, increased drooling, and a strong urge to chew. And in the days leading up to a new tooth breaking through, some discomfort at night is totally normal.
But here’s what’s not normal: weeks or months of disrupted sleep caused by teething alone.
Most babies show teething symptoms for a few days at a time, not continuously for weeks on end. In fact, research suggests that teething may cause only mild, temporary symptoms—if any at all. Some babies barely seem to notice when a tooth comes in!
If your little one is waking frequently for an extended period, struggling to fall asleep, or suddenly needing more help to sleep than usual, teething might play a small role—but it’s likely not the whole story.
So if it’s not just teething, what else could be causing sleep struggles?
What Else Could Be Causing Sleep Disruptions?
1. Overtiredness
Babies need the right balance of awake time and sleep. If wake windows are too long or naps are inconsistent, your little one might be crashing into bedtime already exhausted. And an overtired baby doesn’t sleep better—they actually have a harder time falling and staying asleep.
What to do: Make sure sleep schedules are appropriate for their age and that naps are consistent. Watch for sleepy cues like eye rubbing and zoning out, and aim to get them down before they become overtired.
2. Sleep Associations
Does your baby rely on rocking, feeding, or holding to fall asleep? If so, they may be waking between sleep cycles looking for that same help to get back to sleep. Teething might make them a little more restless, but if they don’t have independent sleep skills, they’ll struggle to resettle on their own.
What to do: If you’re ready, consider gently teaching your baby to fall asleep independently. This doesn’t mean you have to leave them to cry alone—there are many supportive ways to guide them toward self-settling.
3. Developmental Milestones
Rolling, crawling, pulling up—these big milestones can temporarily shake up sleep. When babies are learning a new skill, their brains are busy processing it, often leading to disrupted nights.
What to do: Give them plenty of practice during the day so they can master their new skills while awake. If they’re stuck in an awkward position at night (like sitting up but not knowing how to lie back down), gently help them get comfortable again.
4. Hunger or Growth Spurts
If your baby is waking more often at night, they could be going through a growth spurt and genuinely need extra calories. But if they’re feeding more out of habit rather than hunger, it might be a sleep association rather than a nutritional need.
What to do: If your baby is under 6 months, they may still need night feeds. But if they’re older and eating well during the day, frequent night feeds might not be necessary anymore. Slowly reducing extra feeds can help encourage longer stretches of sleep.
5. Discomfort (Besides Teething!)
Teething is one possible cause of nighttime discomfort, but it’s not the only one. Gas, reflux, eczema, or even being too hot or cold can also contribute to restlessness.
What to do: Dress your baby in breathable layers, check for signs of reflux or tummy discomfort, and ensure their sleep environment is comfortable.
How to Comfort a Teething Baby Without Creating New Sleep Habits
If your baby is experiencing teething pain, you don’t need to ignore it! There are plenty of ways to offer comfort without creating new sleep habits that might be hard to break later.
✔ Offer a cold teether or frozen washcloth for them to chew on before bed.
✔ Give extra cuddles and comfort—but try to keep your bedtime routine the same.
✔ If needed, talk to your pediatrician about safe pain relief options.
✔ Avoid offering a feed every time they wake unless you’re sure they’re hungry.
How to Tell If It’s Really Teething or Something Else
Not sure if teething is the culprit? Try this test:
Check for teething symptoms – If you see swollen gums, excessive drooling, and lots of chewing, teething could be contributing. But if those symptoms aren’t obvious, something else is likely going on.
Notice when the wake-ups happen – Teething pain doesn’t usually cause wake-ups at the exact same time every night. If your baby is waking like clockwork, sleep habits might be the issue.
Look at the pattern – A few rough nights? Maybe teething. Weeks or months of disrupted sleep? Time to look at the bigger picture.
Consider the day – Are they bothered during the day? Teething pain is unlikely to only pop up at night. If they are not phased by teething discomfort during the day, then something else is likely happening at night.
Bottom Line: Teething Isn’t Usually to Blame for Long-Term Sleep Struggles
Teething is a part of babyhood, but it’s rarely the main cause of long-term sleep struggles. If your little one is waking often and sleep has been tough for a while, it’s worth looking beyond teething to figure out what’s really going on.
By ensuring their sleep environment is set up for success, keeping the schedule age-appropriate, and helping them learn to fall asleep independently, you’ll set the stage for more restful nights—for both of you.
And if you need help figuring it all out? I’m here to help. Because when all the pieces of the sleep puzzle are in place, your little one is much more likely to get the restorative sleep they need—and so are you.
Comments