Best way to help a teething baby sleep through the night

The teething phase is rough on everyone. A cold teething ring or wet washcloth kept in the fridge can help numb sore gums before bedtime - let your baby chew on it for a bit during the wind-down routine. Some parents swear by rubbing their clean finger gently on the baby's gums to provide counter-pressure relief. You want to tackle the discomfort before sleep time so they're not waking up in pain at 2 AM.

Keep the bedtime routine as consistent as possible even when teething hits hard. A warm bath, dim lights, and quiet time signal to your baby that sleep is coming, which can help them settle despite the discomfort. If your baby is old enough, you might ask your pediatrician about pain relief options - they can advise on what's safe for your child's age.

Don't let teething completely derail sleep habits you've already established. Babies can get used to extra comfort or rocking during this phase and then expect it long after the teeth come in. It's a balance between providing genuine relief and maintaining boundaries so the teething phase doesn't create new sleep problems down the road.