What to do when it feels like you can’t do anything

I know it can be really tough to hear your baby cry and feel your baby’s pain. Nothing is worse than knowing your little one is in pain and not knowing what to do to help! When your teething baby won’t sleep, it can be overwhelming for any parent.

Hi, I’m Lauren! I’m the Founder of Sleep and the City - a top-rated baby & toddler sleep agency in Portland, Oregon. I’m a celebrity pediatric sleep expert and consultant and my passion is helping families!

So, can you relate? Teething is tough - let’s talk about what teething looks like and what you can do to help your baby during teething.

Teething usually begins around 4 months and babies usually have these symptoms:

• Fussiness or crankiness - crying as we all know, is super common with babies. But during teething, you may see an excess in crying or fussiness. 

• Excessive drooling

• Red of swollen gums

• Decreased appetite

• Chewing on objects

• Sore or tender gums

• No fever - but a slight increase in temperature (less that 101F)

Teething babies can have difficulties sleeping as the soreness and tenderness can hurt. 

Here are a few things you can do:

Rub your baby’s gums- with a clean finger or wet gauze - apply a little bit of pressure, this can help with the discomfort.  Try using gauze that is cold - cold can really help. 

A cold teething ring can work wonders, as well! It’s important that the ring is not frozen because then it might be too hard and can cause more pain. Some parents try to dip the cold rings into something sweet or sugary - it’s best to avoid that to avoid cavities. 

You can try cold food like applesauce, yogurt, or refrigerated fruit (all for babies who eat solid foods). 

If your baby is older than 6-9 months, you can give cool water from a sippy cup, too. 

Amber beads - worn as a necklace, bracelet, or anklets can be a good option. However, there is no evidence that this works and risk of choking on one of the beads is cause for concern - The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against the use of jewelry. 

Want some extra help with your baby’s sleep?

over-the-counter remedies

If your teething baby won’t sleep, it’s likely that your baby is more cranky than usual. Infant medicine may help teething pain. But please note that topical medications containing lidocaine or benzocaine have “no studies have proven the long-term benefit of these products,” Dr. Ye Mon cautions. Another thing is herbal products. Not enough studies have shown the effectiveness of herbal remedies for teething and therefore there is a risk because there are no known long-term side effects. 

A good rule of thumb

It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor. No matter how big or small the situation is - if you feel like calling the doctor - you totally should. It’s always better to have peace of mind knowing that you spoke with a professional instead of not calling and always wondering if something bigger might be happening with your little one.

Some things to look for if you think your baby might be experiencing something more than teething. “It’s normal for them to be upset about the pain around their gums, but they shouldn’t be inconsolable,” explains Dr. Ye Mon. 

Teething symptoms shouldn’t last for weeks at a time. If they do, it’s recommended to take baby to the pediatrician. If baby is experiencing fever or 101+, diarrhea, runny nose, and inconsolable crying - it might be a good time to take baby to the doctor. 

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Here’s to sleep!

xoxo,

lauren