Teething & Sleeping

He needs you right now. Don't ignore him. This is just a faze that will pass. The teeth will take anywhere from about 2 days to a week to come in. If they are molars they might take a bit longer. Comfort him. But you are right, don't feed him. Just hold him and give him the teething tablets and let him go to sleep with comfort. These are the things that we did with my daughter. We also layed on the floor together with the lights out and held a flashlight and made designs with the flightlight beam on the ceiling. It soothed her and gave her something to watch and take her mind off the pain.

I've got a 9-month old son and he's just finished cutting his two front teeth and two top incisors...it's been a rough couple of weeks. The nights are rough, but once he cuts his teeth then his sleep patterns go back to normal (even if I nurse him too). To help through these times I keep a ziplock bag with clean teethers in the refrigerator so I can grab one anytime to help sooth him. I've used the Hylands tablets too (they're just chammomile); sometimes they help him and sometimes they don't. I think it depends on how severe the pain is for him. If it's really severe, I have used infant tylenol (with doc's okay) to help relieve his pain.

As far as how long it takes...you might want to check out www.babycenter.com They've got a lot of good information. Looks like we've got another year or two ahead of us. What fun! Hang in there!

Hi S.,

We can't say how long it will take his teeth to break through. But you won't be breaking his sleeping habits. Just continue what you are doing and give him the comfort and gentleness he needs.

I worried about the same thing- it was three nights of teething for my daughter shortly after her 1st b-day (I think like 4 molars came in at once) it seemed to take 24 hours for a tooth to cut thruogh, but maybe there is more than one and this will be a few nights. I spent a lot of time in the rocking chair because she would wake up unhappy if I moved. I thought "great, this is my future, sleeping in a chair all night" but it only lasted a few nights.
My daughter went back to her usual habits once the teeth came in. You're little boy probably will too. Especially after several sleepless nights, he will conk out when the pain and discomfort and drool are finally gone.

S. - it sounds like you're doing everything 'right!' The teething does seem awfully painful, but I find that once the offending tooth breaks through, the sleep goes back to normal. Unfortunately there's no set time for that to happen. But as long as you're not nursing him back to sleep, I don't think there's any problem (that is, starting a bad habit) going to him and helping him back to sleep.

Good luck, and try to sneak in a nap until this passes!

I would try giving him the teething tablets and baby orajel before going to bed and when he wakes up at night, do the same but instead of holding him to comfort him back to sleep give him a blankie or stuffed toy to cuddle and a cold washcloth to chew on

I know how it feels, to FINALLY get your baby/child to sleep well... and then to have it upset again by something like teething or developmental changes. Arrgh, right?

Well, it's going to happen again, whenever teething occurs, or developmental changes and growth spurts. This is normal. Sleep patterns in babies and children are NOT static, and it will change much to our chagrin.

Well, he's teething, it causes pain, they can't sleep, it's uncomfortable... he's changing, he's almost 12-months old & THIS causes hiccup's in sleep too. So, in actuality, there is a LOT going on with him.... besides teething. As he approaches 12 months... this is another milestone and "change" in cognitive/physiological/developmental/motor skills too, plus at these times, they usually get hungrier too.... It's not an easy tome for them either. Plus, sometimes at this stage, "night terrors" also occurs. Another phase that disrupts sleep.

Hmmm, so then what? Well, imagine you teething and having pain & stress? Would you want your Hubby to just ignore you? Or would you try and soothe yourself and want Hubby to offer you some solace? What if Hubby told you "I'm not going to help you because I don't want to hear you grumble or get too used to my consoling you! You have to deal with it by yourself- just go to bed and be quiet, I can't sleep. Shhhh."

Teething for each baby is different, and their threshold for pain varies too. Perhaps give him something cold or frozen to knaw on? That's what my kids liked. It's just a hurdle that will ebb and flow.

Nothing wrong with consoling him... you can also try giving him, at bedtime, some Tylenol or Motrin, to ease the pain. Perhaps this will last longer at night, versus giving him Hyland tabs every so often. (I find Motrin lasts longer and works better for pain).

Perhaps, give him a pacifier to knaw on too... my son knaws on them when he is teething. I don't have a problem with pacifiers, though everyone is different.

It's a phase... and it will pass. But, remember it's not easy for them either. AND sleep patterns in babies/toddlers/children are not static. At each age, there comes a unique set of "sleep problems" per developmental changes they go through. From, teething, gas, colds, night terrors, separation anxiety, toddler 2's and their tendency to protest sleep, being afraid of the dark and "scary" night time things, night mares, potty accidents, insomnia, life changes etc.

So, do as you feel is helpful for him.... but still keep consistency as far as pre-sleep routines, sleep/nap times, and how you put him down to sleep etc. This will provide a reinforcement of his sleep "habits" too. But yes, sometimes, if you introduce a "new" habit for them to go to sleep... it may stick and not go away. But everything takes consistency...... and patience. And yes, you CAN get him back to his "regular" pattern... although it may take patience and a transition time. Or you just let him cry it out. Everyone is different.

The thing is... sleep problems are problems for them too, not just us and OUR lack of sleep. Teething to me is an exception... because they are in distress and pain. They need comfort... in a manner that is helpful to them. He's not just crying for no reason.

Sorry for rambling, just some thoughts. I know, it's not easy... all the best,
Susan

I am the mother of a 17 year old, a 15.5 month old and a 4.5 month old, all girls. They are all different in this area. My 17 year old, did not have many problems when it came to teething. She did get fussy and drooled quite a bit, but did not throw the tantrums. My 15.5 month old is quite a different story. We just got through her molars coming in. When her front teeth came in, we used the hyland teething tablets and the most we used in a day were 2 doses. With the molars, that did not work at all. We were giving her teething tablets constantly. Not more than the daily dose, she learned to suck on popsicles ands chew on teeting biscuits. She has this high pitched scream that can be heard outside our house with all the doors and windows shut. We went through it for about 1 1/2 months. It seemed to take forever...but, we survived and I know you will too. She did quite a bit of vomiting at night while they were coming in. Best of luck. You will survive.

I believe that as long as they are not getting nursed, they sleep. we have never had to take extreme measures other then night weaning even though my daughter is the worst sleeper ever. she only wakes when something is bothering her. I hate to break it to you that these molars take forever. get some hyland's teething tablets. motrin works, just make sure you talk to your doc about how many nights in a row you can give it. I have a psychology background and I think it's destructive to not check in on your child. they need to know you are there, even if you don't pick them up. I'm all for comforting him back to sleep and know that the teething will eventually be done (until the new round come in). when a baby/toddler is uncomfortable, they need to be reassured that you are there. in the teething process, there are a bunch of days of misery, then a couple nights of relief and then back to the misery. Hang in there. He'll go back to his usual routine when this round is done - again, as long as he's not getting nursed, he'll sleep (when the teething is less intense). I use nap times as a gauge. If my daughter takes a crappy nap, I'll give her motrin before bed time.

I don't think your screwing anything up at all. Your baby needs your comfort during this painful time. The molars are supposed to be the hardest on these little guys, which I couldn't even imagine. Once these teeth come in, he'll be back to his old sleep pattern, but for the meantime show him your love and support. =)

Maybe you could try giving him Motrin before he goes to sleep. That usually worked with our three. :)