Is Teething Keeping Your Baby From Sleeping?

You’re up for the third time tonight, rocking your fussy baby in the dim glow of the nightlight. They tug at their ear, gnaw on their drooly hand, and let out a whimper that turns into a full-on wail. Teething, you think. It has to be. Why else would they be waking up so much?

Sound familiar? Many parents have been in this exact moment, blaming teething for sudden sleep struggles. But what if teething isn’t the real culprit? What if something else is at play? Let’s dive into why teething gets all the blame—and what’s actually going on with your baby’s sleep.

Why Teething Gets Blamed for Every Sleep Issue—And What’s Really Going On

Teething has long been the go-to explanation for every sleep disruption in babies and toddlers. Your baby is suddenly waking up every hour? Teething. Fussier than usual? Teething. Refusing to nap? Definitely teething. But is teething really the cause of all these sleep struggles, or is it just an easy scapegoat?

The Reality of Teething Discomfort

Let’s be clear—teething can be uncomfortable. Some babies experience drooling, gum irritation, and increased biting or chewing behaviors. Occasionally, they might have a low-grade fever or a slightly disrupted sleep pattern for a day or two. But teething is not a chronic, weeks-long sleep saboteur.

Most babies start teething around 4–6 months, and they continue cutting teeth well into their toddler years. If teething truly disrupted sleep every time a new tooth was coming in, babies would never sleep! The reality is that teething discomfort comes in waves and is often mild compared to other developmental changes happening in your baby’s body and brain.

Why Teething Gets the Blame

1. It’s an Easy Answer – Parents naturally want to understand why their baby is waking up more or fussier than usual. Teething provides a simple, tangible explanation, but it’s often not the real reason.
   
   
2. Coincidence with Sleep Regressions – The timing of teething often overlaps with major developmental leaps and sleep regressions (like the 4-month or 9-month regression). During these times, babies wake more frequently due to cognitive and motor skill advancements, not necessarily because of sore gums.
   
   
3. Temporary Sleep Disruptions – Babies have good and bad nights, just like adults. A random night of frequent wake-ups doesn’t always have a specific cause and doesn’t always need fixing.
   
   
4. Placebo Effect of Remedies – Many parents offer teething remedies (like cold teethers or pain relievers) on rough nights. If sleep improves, it’s easy to credit the remedy and assume teething was the culprit, even if the wake-ups were unrelated.
   
   

What’s Actually Causing the Sleep Issues?

If your baby is suddenly struggling with sleep, teething might be a small factor, but chances are other things are at play:

• Sleep Regressions – Developmental leaps and increased awareness can temporarily disrupt sleep.
• Hunger or Growth Spurts – Babies may need more calories, especially during growth spurts.
• Sleep Associations – If your baby relies on rocking, feeding, or being held to fall asleep, they might struggle with self-soothing when they wake between sleep cycles.
• Separation Anxiety – Around 6–9 months, babies develop a stronger sense of attachment, leading to more night wakings.
• Overtiredness or Schedule Shifts – Babies thrive on consistency, and even small changes to naps and bedtimes can lead to disrupted nights.

The Bottom Line

Teething can cause mild discomfort, but it’s rarely the main reason for prolonged sleep disruptions. Instead of assuming every rough night is teething-related, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Addressing sleep habits and developmental changes will do far more for your baby’s rest than simply blaming new teeth.

If sleep struggles persist, there are gentle and effective strategies to help your baby get the rest they need—without waiting months for all those teeth to come in!

PS Great news: ff you don't wait for alllllllll the teeth to come in (and probably well beyond), you don't have to. Book a free call and find out how you can get your little one sleeping through the night in two weeks or less, guaranteed.