Teething is one of the biggest milestones of your growing baby. You must be expecting those tiny teeth coming out from your baby's gum, but you may also feel worried if you notice something unusual, such as your baby is sleeping more than before. So is this normal?

Do Babies Sleep More When Teething?

Yes, it is possible that babies sleep more during teething. You may have heard that some babies feel irritated and have trouble sleeping during the teething process; however, sometimes the teething process can work the opposite way as well.

Your baby may have a low-grade fever during the teething process. This and other discomforts can make your baby feel tired, and cause him/her to sleep more than usual. This is much like the response that your baby will have towards a flu.

It is, however, important to remember that this condition is not backed by scientific research. If you find that your baby is sleeping more than normal or appearing lethargic, then you should consult your doctor to rule out other possible causes.

Other Reasons Your Baby Might Be Sleeping More

Do babies sleep more when teething? Maybe they do, but teething is not the only possible reason. An increased amount of sleeping might indicate that your baby is going through a growth spurt.

Some other minor illnesses may also cause your baby to sleep more:

• Cold: A runny nose may indicate that your child is suffering from a cold, as this symptom is not seen during teething.
• Infection: While a low-grade fever may be seen during teething, a high fever indicates that an infection is causing the underlying problem.

Note: The symptoms seen during teething are usually mild and do not deteriorate. If you find that your child is experiencing increasingly severe symptoms, then you must take him/her to see the doctor as soon as possible.

Other People’s Experience

"The response to teething varies from baby to baby. My son slept a lot more when his initial few teeth were erupting, but my daughter seemed to be completely unaffected. Babies going through growth spurts also tend to sleep a lot more."

"My daughter slept for 12 hours at night and took naps during the day when her teeth were erupting. Do babies sleep more when teething? I certainly think so! If you find that your child is not teething but still seems sluggish, then please consult your doctor."

"My feeling is that the irritation and pain caused by teething tires out the children and causes them to sleep more. My son started teething at four months and slept for a lot more whenever his teeth seemed to be erupting."

Notice Other Signs of Teething

1. Drooling

One of the most prominent signs of teething is drooling more than before. Constant drooling can also result in a rash on the chin, neck and around the mouth. Keep your child more comfortable by using a bib throughout the day and wiping off the chin often.

2. Coughing and/or Gag Reflex

Do babies sleep more when teething? Maybe, and they may also suffer from coughing and gag reflex. Don't worry if there are no other symptoms of flu or cold.

3. Biting

The pressure that is applied by the teeth from under the gums can cause a lot of irritation and discomfort, and the best way to counter this is to bite on things and apply some counter pressure. If you find that you child is biting on anything constantly, it may indicate that he/she is teething.

4. Crying

Some babies will cry a lot during the teething process while others will not be bothered at all. The first few teeth to are usually the ones that cause the most trouble.

5. Refusal to Feed

The pain and discomfort of the teeth pushing against the gums can make the babies uncomfortable and fussy. They often refuse to feed during this time. If you notice that you have difficulties feeding your baby, then teething might be the reason why.

6. Ear Pulling and Cheek Rubbing

Another thing that you may notice in your baby during teething is a tendency to pull at his/her ears and cheeks, and this is because pain from the gums may travel to your baby's ears and cheeks. The same thing can also be seen in the case of an ear infection, so be careful to watch for other signs.