Teething and Sleep Regressions: Why Your Baby May Be Sleeping Differently

Few things are harder for parents than finally getting into a good sleep routine — only for your baby to suddenly start waking more often.

If your baby is also teething, it can be tempting to assume that the new teeth are responsible for every disrupted night.

But what's actually happening?

Teething and sleep changes can happen around the same time, but they aren't necessarily the same thing. Understanding the difference can help you work out what your baby may need and make those difficult nights a little easier.

Can Teething Affect Your Baby's Sleep?

Teething can be an uncomfortable experience for some babies.

When teeth are moving through the gums, babies may experience sore or tender gums. This can make it harder for some babies to settle or may contribute to increased fussiness.

However, waking during the night doesn't automatically mean your baby is teething.

Babies' sleep naturally changes as they grow, and developmental changes can also affect their sleep.

This is why it's useful to look at teething and sleep regressions separately — while recognising that they can overlap.

What Is a Sleep Regression?

A sleep regression is a period when a baby who previously slept relatively well begins having more difficulty with sleep.

You may notice things such as:

• More frequent night waking
• Difficulty settling
• Shorter naps
• Fighting naps or bedtime
• Needing more help to fall asleep
• Waking earlier than usual

Sleep changes can occur at different stages of development, and not every baby experiences them in the same way.

Sometimes a period of disrupted sleep may happen at roughly the same time as teething, making it difficult to know what is causing the change.

Teething or Sleep Regression?

So how can you tell what's going on?

There isn't a perfect checklist because babies can experience both at the same time.

However, you can look at the overall picture.

Signs that may suggest teething

Your baby may:

• Chew on toys, fingers or other objects more frequently
• Drool more than usual
• Have tender or sensitive gums
• Seem more interested in chewing
• Become more unsettled than usual

If your baby has started chewing everything in sight, having an appropriate teething toys available can give them something specifically designed for chewing and exploring.

Signs that may suggest a sleep-related developmental change

You may notice:

• Changes in your baby's normal nap pattern
• Difficulty settling even when they don't appear uncomfortable
• More frequent waking without obvious signs of discomfort
• Changes in sleep occurring around a developmental milestone

And sometimes, it can simply be both.

Your baby may be going through a period of changing sleep patterns while also getting new teeth.

Why Teething Can Be More Noticeable at Night

Parents often notice teething-related fussiness more at bedtime or during the night.

Part of this may simply be because nighttime is quieter, with fewer distractions.

During the day, your baby has toys, people, movement and new things to explore. At night, there are fewer distractions, so discomfort or difficulty settling may become more noticeable.

This doesn't mean that teething is necessarily the cause of every night waking — just that it can be one factor to consider.

How to Help Your Baby Through the Teething Stage

If your baby is showing signs of teething, having appropriate teething products available can give them something suitable to explore and chew.

Keep a favourite teether nearby

If your baby enjoys chewing, keep an appropriate teething toy available during the day.

Our silicone teethers offer different shapes and textures for babies to explore, while sensory toys provide another option for parents looking for different materials and designs.

Having a few different options can be useful because babies don't always prefer the same texture or shape.

Stick to familiar routines

When your baby's sleep suddenly changes, it can be tempting to completely change their routine.

Instead, keeping familiar bedtime cues and routines can help maintain some consistency while your baby goes through a period of change.

Keep bedtime calm

A predictable, calming bedtime routine can help signal that it's time to wind down.

This could include things such as:

• A bath
• Changing into sleepwear
• A quiet story
• Cuddles
• Lowering the lights
• Following your usual bedtime routine

Pay attention to what your baby is telling you

Every baby responds differently to teething and sleep changes.

Rather than assuming every difficult night is caused by teething, look for patterns in your baby's behaviour and overall routine.

Don't Blame Every Bad Night on Teething

This is one of the most important things to remember.

If your baby suddenly starts waking frequently, it doesn't necessarily mean a tooth is coming through.

Babies' sleep can change for many reasons, including developmental changes, changes in routine, illness, hunger and other factors.

Teething may be happening at the same time, but that doesn't mean it is responsible for every sleep disruption.

What About Teething and Sleep Regression at the Same Time?

This is where things can become particularly challenging for parents.

Imagine your baby is going through a developmental period where their sleep is changing — and at the same time, they're getting a new tooth.

You may suddenly find yourself dealing with:

More waking + difficulty settling + increased chewing + drooling + a tired baby.

It can feel like everything is happening at once.

The good news is that these periods are generally temporary, and your baby's sleep patterns will continue to develop as they grow.

Your goal isn't to solve everything overnight.

Instead, focus on maintaining a familiar routine, responding to your baby's needs and having appropriate teething products available if they're showing signs of teething.

Build Your Teething Toolkit Before the Difficult Nights

One of the easiest ways to make the teething stage less stressful is to prepare before you need something.

Consider keeping:

• A favourite teether
• A backup teether
• A clean cloth for drool
• Bibs
• Your normal bedtime essentials
• Your baby's usual comfort items

You can browse our full teething collection to find different teething products for your baby's stage and preferences.

Having these things ready means you aren't searching for them at midnight.

Getting Through the Teething + Sleep Stage

Teething and sleep changes can be exhausting — especially when they happen at the same time.

There may be nights when your baby's routine feels completely different from the week before.

Try to remember that babies' sleep develops over time, and teething is also a temporary stage.

Keep things simple: maintain familiar routines, watch for your baby's individual signs, and make sure you have appropriate teething products ready when they need something to chew.

At The Teething Co, we're here to help parents navigate the teething stage with a range of carefully selected teething toys and baby essentials.

Explore our teething collection and find the right teether for your little one's next stage.

Important: This article provides general information and is not medical advice. Teething does not explain every change in sleep or behaviour. If you are concerned about your baby's symptoms, sleep, health or development, speak with your doctor, dentist or other qualified healthcare professional.