Do babies often wake up at night during teething?

Teething—the process of primary teeth erupting through the gums—typically begins between 4 and 7 months of age and may continue until around age 3. While many parents report increased nighttime awakenings during this period, current evidence does not support a strong causal link between teething and frequent or prolonged night waking. Studies have shown that although some infants may experience mild irritability, drooling, gum rubbing, or decreased appetite in the days before a tooth emerges, objective data (e.g., actigraphy, sleep diaries validated with video monitoring) do not consistently demonstrate significant disruptions in total sleep duration or sleep architecture attributable to teething alone.

It is important to recognize that nighttime awakenings in infants are developmentally normal and influenced by numerous factors—including rapid brain maturation, circadian rhythm establishment, separation anxiety (peaking around 8–12 months), feeding patterns, environmental stimuli, and emerging motor skills (e.g., rolling, sitting up). Attributing sleep disturbances solely to teething may delay identification and management of other underlying contributors, such as inadequate sleep associations, inconsistent bedtime routines, or medical issues like gastroesophageal reflux or ear infections.

If an infant exhibits marked sleep disruption alongside systemic symptoms—such as fever >38.0°C (100.4°F), diarrhea, vomiting, rash, or persistent crying—it is essential to consult a pediatrician, as these signs are not typical of teething and may indicate another illness. Comfort measures for teething-related discomfort may include gentle gum massage with a clean finger, chilled (not frozen) teething rings, or age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen—if recommended by a healthcare provider. Topical benzocaine gels are not advised due to risks of methemoglobinemia and lack of proven efficacy.