When Teeth Happen. A Real-Deal Guide to Teething Without Losing Your Mind

Let’s talk about teething. Because at some point your sweet, gummy-smiled baby suddenly wakes up chewing on their own fist with the determination of a beaver and you’re thinking oh great here we go. Teething is one of those classic parenting experiences everyone warns you about but somehow no one explains in a way that actually feels helpful. It’s either horror stories or “my baby didn’t even notice,” and you’re left sitting there with drool down your shirt wondering which universe you belong to.

The truth is most babies land somewhere in the middle. Teething is uncomfortable and sometimes downright miserable, but it’s also a normal developmental process and your baby really can get through it with support, comfort and some realistic expectations. And so can you.

I always remind the parents I work with that teething isn’t a problem to fix. It’s a phase to move through. A weird, damp, kind of dramatic phase, sure, but still just a phase. If you need more resources on sleep or feeding through stages like this, I’ve got lots of support over on my other pages as well.

Now let’s break down what is actually happening and how you can help without spiraling into the depths of Google panic.

The first big surprise for most parents is that teething symptoms can show up long before a tooth actually breaks through. Babies love practicing being dramatic. Gums get swollen, chewing becomes a sport and drool flows like a tiny indoor waterfall. Some babies want to nurse more, some want to nurse less, some want to be glued to you like a koala and some just look personally offended at the universe. It’s all normal.

Comfort is the name of the game. Cold things usually help because they numb the gums just enough to give relief. A chilled washcloth is the classic go-to and honestly still one of the best. Silicone teethers, frozen fruit in a feeder if you’ve started solids and even just your clean finger gently rubbing their gums can go a long way. Babies don’t need fancy things. They need simple textures and safe pressure.

If you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding, just know that teething absolutely can shake things up for a bit. Some babies clamp, which feels like an electric shock and will turn even the softest-spoken parent into a curse-word-inventing poet. It usually passes once they learn how to manage the feeling in their mouth. Redirecting, offering something cold before a feed or adjusting positioning can really help. And if you want one-on-one feeding support, you already know that’s my wheelhouse.

Sleep also gets weird during teething because discomfort is worse at night when babies are tired and the world is quiet. This doesn’t mean your baby is “broken” or that everything you’ve done so far has stopped working. It’s simply their nervous system processing a new sensation. Responding, comforting and keeping your routine as consistent as possible is usually the easiest way through until the tooth officially pops up and life settles again.

Let’s talk about pain relief for a second because parents ask me this all the time. It is completely okay to use age-appropriate medication if your baby is genuinely uncomfortable. You do not need to “tough it out” or pretend teething is character development. If you ever feel unsure, connect with a healthcare provider you trust. What you don’t need to do is buy teething gels with numbing agents or amber necklaces. They’re not recommended and they’re not safer just because they’re marketed for babies.

And finally, can we please acknowledge how exhausting this stage can be for parents too. Constant drool wiping, clinginess, sleep blips and the feeling that you’ve become a human teething toy. It’s rough. This is where support matters. Ask for help, take micro breaks, and don’t be afraid to hand your baby to someone else while you grab a snack or just breathe.

Teething won’t be your favourite chapter, but you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re guiding your baby through something totally normal, with patience and care and probably a lot of laundry. And if you ever want ongoing support through stages like this, from feeding changes to sleep disruptions, I’m always here as your resident knowledge keeper.

You’ve got this. Every tooth eventually comes through. Every phase eventually ends. And one day that tiny little grin full of pearls is going to make you forget just how many shirt collars got chewed in the process.