Teething is rough, especially when it messes with your baby’s sleep. If your little one gets cranky, drools all over the place, and wakes up every hour, it’s probably teething. Nighttime is often the worst part. That’s why many parents search for home remedies for teething baby at night that are safe, natural, and easy to try.
You’re not alone. According to a study published in Pediatrics, over 70% of parents report that teething disrupts their baby’s sleep schedule. And most of those sleepless nights start around 6 months, when teething kicks in. The symptoms can show up during the day, but teething pain at night tends to feel more intense for babies, especially when they’re lying down and don’t have distractions to keep their minds off it.
So what can you do to help your baby get through it, and maybe grab a few hours of sleep yourself? Here are 12 simple, practical ways to soothe teething pain naturally and help your baby sleep better at night.
1. Use a chilled washcloth for chewing
Grab a clean washcloth, wet it with water, wring it out, and chill it in the fridge. Once it’s cold, hand it to your baby and let them chew on it under your watch.
The cold helps numb sore gums and the soft texture gives them something satisfying to bite down on. It’s one of the easiest home remedies for teething baby at night and totally safe. Just skip the freezer, frozen cloths get too hard and can bruise sensitive gums.
Try offering this before bed or during night wakings when the pain seems to ramp up.
2. Offer a cold teething toy
Refrigerate a teething ring or silicone toy and give it to your baby during their bedtime routine. The chill helps reduce inflammation and gives instant relief.
Make sure you use solid rubber or silicone toys, not gel-filled ones. If they leak or break, they’re not safe. This method works well if your baby wakes up during the night with sore gums and needs something to chew before falling back asleep.
3. Massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger
Sometimes the best solution is your own touch. Wash your hands thoroughly and gently rub your baby’s gums using your finger or knuckle. Apply light pressure and move in small circles.
This can be surprisingly effective for teething pain at night because it helps reduce pressure and discomfort. It’s also a great way to connect and calm your baby if they’re upset.
Try this just before bed or when your baby wakes up crying and needs help settling.
4. Try a chamomile tea-soaked cloth
Make a weak cup of chamomile tea, let it cool, and soak a clean washcloth in it. Wring it out and place it in the fridge to chill. Once cold, let your baby chew on it for a natural soothing effect.
Chamomile has gentle anti-inflammatory properties and may help with both gum pain and restlessness. If you’re looking for natural home remedies for teething baby at night, this is a good one, just check with your pediatrician before introducing any herbs.
5. Use chilled fruit in a mesh feeder
If your baby has started solids (usually around 6 months), you can use food to ease teething pain. Put chilled fruit like banana slices, peeled apples, or cucumber into a mesh or silicone feeder and let your baby gnaw on it.
It soothes gums, gives them a tasty distraction, and helps with the pain, especially during the evening wind-down.
Always supervise and make sure the fruit is cold, not frozen. And clean the feeder well afterward.
6. Nurse or bottle-feed for comfort
Sometimes, the most natural way to relieve discomfort is nursing or feeding. Sucking is soothing, and the warmth from your body (or the bottle) can be comforting when your baby is dealing with teething pain at night.
If your baby is refusing the breast or bottle due to gum soreness, try letting them suck on a cold pacifier for a few seconds before feeding. That little trick can help them latch on without discomfort.
7. Give teething crackers or cold waffles
For older babies who are eating solids, textured snacks can provide relief. Offer a cold teething cracker or even a plain, unsweetened frozen waffle that’s been allowed to soften slightly.
Let your baby gnaw on it before bedtime or during wake-ups. It satisfies the urge to chew and can ease that sore gum feeling.
Be sure to supervise and brush their gums or teeth afterward if they’ve had food right before bed.
8. Set up a warm bath and calming routine
This one isn’t about the gums directly, but it still works. A warm bath followed by a consistent, relaxing routine can lower stress and help your baby wind down, even if they’re uncomfortable.
Follow the bath with a quiet song, story, and dim lights. Add in one of the other remedies, like a gum massage or chilled toy, to help with the pain. How to help a teething baby sleep isn’t just about the pain; it’s also about helping them feel secure and relaxed.
9. Use skin-to-skin contact and cuddles
Sometimes your baby doesn’t need a gadget or toy, they just need you. Physical closeness can calm a fussy baby who’s having a rough night due to teething.
Hold them skin-to-skin, rock gently, or even wear them in a soft baby carrier if they won’t settle down. Your warmth and heartbeat help them relax, especially when they’re feeling miserable.
During teething phases, extra cuddles before bedtime or during night wakings can really make a difference.
10. Add white noise to the sleep environment
Nighttime is quiet, which makes pain more noticeable. That’s part of the reason teething is worse at night for many babies. A white noise machine or soft background sounds can mask the silence and help your baby feel more at ease.
You can try gentle sounds like rainfall, a heartbeat, or ocean waves. Keep the volume low and place the machine across the room from the crib.
It’s not a cure for teething, but it’s a solid sleep tool that supports the other remedies.
11. Let your baby chew on a teething mitten
If your baby can’t hold toys well yet, teething mittens are a smart option. These are fabric gloves with silicone pads built in, so babies can rub and chew without dropping anything.
You can let them wear the mitten before bed to ease discomfort or offer it during night wake-ups when they need something soothing.
It also helps keep drool off their hands, which can help prevent skin irritation around the mouth.
12. Use a natural teething gel carefully
There are natural gels out there made with chamomile or clove, but they’re not all created equal. If you want to go this route, choose one made specifically for infants and check the ingredients list.
Avoid anything with benzocaine or belladonna, both are unsafe for babies. If you’re unsure, ask your pediatrician to recommend a safe option.
This can be helpful when nothing else seems to calm your baby down, but use sparingly and only when needed.
Getting Through the Hard Nights, Together
Teething doesn’t come with a schedule, and it rarely sticks to daylight hours. For most babies, nighttime is when everything feels louder, harder, and more uncomfortable. That’s why it’s not just about soothing gums; it’s about creating a sense of safety and calm when your baby needs it most.
Disruptions like teething can affect sleep quality for both infants and parents, which adds up over time. So these small nightly routines, the cold cloth, the cuddles, the white noise, they’re not just quick fixes. They’re building blocks for long-term sleep habits and emotional comfort. Stick with what works for your baby. And give yourself credit; these hard nights mean you’re showing up, even when it’s exhausting. That matters more than anything.