At a glance
Teething is a normal, temporary stage but it can make days and nights feel very long.
Sucking is a powerful built-in calming tool, which is why dummies help many babies settle, especially when gums are sore.
Your baby’s unique sensory personality affects how they handle teething, crying and sleep disruption.
Gentle, consistent soothing works better than trying ten tricks at once.
A simple “teething toolkit” and realistic expectations can make this phase much kinder on the whole family.
When teething turns your baby into a little chewer
Teething has a way of sneaking into your life. One day your baby is all gummy smiles, and the next you’re wiping drool off your shoulder for the fourth time, wondering why they’re chewing the pram strap like it’s a three-course meal.
This stage can feel big: more crying, broken sleep, clingier days. But underneath all the chaos, two things are true:
1. Teething is normal and temporary.
2. There are kind, gentle ways to make it easier on both of you.
This guide is your long-form “dummy and teething playbook” – something you can come back to on the days you’re tired, unsure, and just need someone to walk you through what actually helps.
For more on how teething affects sleep specifically, read Facts on teething and the effects it has on sleep – https://snookums.co.za/facts-on-teething-and-the-effects-it-has-on-sleep/
Understanding the teething stage (what’s normal, what’s not)
Most babies start teething between 4–8 months, but some start earlier and some only show a first tooth around their first birthday. There’s a wide window of normal, and often it follows family patterns.
For many babies, there’s a “build-up” before a tooth cuts: more drooling, more chewing, more fussiness, and gums that look swollen and tender.
Common teething signs
You might notice:
- Endless drool (and damp little shirts)
- Chewing on hands, toys or your shoulder
- Swollen, red gums
- Short bursts of irritability
- Slight changes in sleep and feeding
You might also see:
- Mild temperature rise
- A small rash around the mouth from drool
- Slightly looser nappies
These symptoms often come and go as each tooth moves into place.
When it’s probably not just teething
It’s tempting to blame everything on teeth but not all tough days are teething days.
Reach out to your healthcare provider if:
- Your baby has a high, persistent fever
- Diarrhoea continues over days
- Crying is intense and truly inconsolable
- They seem generally unwell or in pain
You never have to “wait it out” alone if something doesn’t feel right.
How teething affects sleep (and why nights can feel so long)
There’s nothing like finally getting a baby to sleep only for teeth to join the party.
Teething doesn’t usually cause a true sleep disorder, but it can unsettle previously good sleepers. You may see:
- More night waking
- Difficulty settling to sleep
- Shorter naps
- Extra clinginess at night
Think of it this way: if you’ve ever had a wisdom tooth coming in, you know you can still sleep but it’s not your best sleep. Your baby feels something similar, without the words to explain it.
On teething nights, the goal isn’t perfect sleep training. The goal is just enough comfort that everyone gets back to sleep as gently as possible.
For deeper reading, see Facts on teething and the effects it has on sleep.
Why dummies help so many teething babies
Long before they’re born, babies practice sucking. Even when they’re not hungry, the rhythm of sucking:
- Regulates breathing
- Organises their nervous system
- Gives them a familiar way to self-soothe
When teething starts, that need often ramps up. Their gums feel strange, their world feels a bit “louder,” and they’re looking for something safe and familiar to help them cope. That’s where a dummy can be incredibly useful.
Parents often find the dummy helps most:
- Before naps and bedtime
- In the late afternoon “witching hour”
- During outings
- When baby is overstimulated
Some babies never want a dummy and prefer their hands. Others depend heavily on one during teething. Both patterns are normal.
For more on dummy use, see To give a dummy or not – https://snookums.co.za/to-give-a-dummy-or-not/
How to use a dummy safely (without it taking over everything)
A dummy is a tool not a switch for stopping crying. Use it wisely and it becomes a helpful comfort. Overuse can make weaning harder later.
Offer it when baby is calm
Offer the dummy when your baby is calm or just beginning to fuss. Avoid using it as a replacement for feeds or comfort every single time they cry.
Keep it clean and safe
Sterilise for the first 6 months, then wash in warm soapy water.
Replace at any sign of wear.
Avoid strings, ribbons or anything that could wrap around the neck.
Never sweeten the dummy. Honey, sugar or syrup on a dummy is unsafe and harmful to little teeth.
Keep spares handy. Babies drop dummies everywhere, especially during teething when everything goes in the mouth.
Night-time dummy use: teaching independent soothing (8+ months)
If your older baby wakes all night for dummy replacements, they just haven’t mastered the last step: finding it themselves.
A gentle approach:
- Daytime: Hand the dummy to your baby instead of putting it in their mouth
- Night: When they wake, put the dummy in their hand
- Guide: Gently guide their hand to it in the dark
- Increase chances: Keep a few dummies in the cot
- Pause: Wait a few minutes to let them try soothing themselves
See the step-by-step in Baby needs dummy at night – https://snookums.co.za/baby-needs-dummy-at-night/
Your baby’s sensory personality: why teething affects them differently
Some babies breeze through teething. Others struggle with every tooth. Much of this comes down to sensory personality the way your baby’s brain interprets touch, sound, light and movement.
More here: Understanding your baby’s unique sensory personality – https://snookums.co.za/understanding-your-babys-unique-sensory-personality/
The social butterfly
Loves interaction, hates missing out.
Needs help winding down at the end of the day.
The slow-to-warm-up baby
Needs time to feel safe.
Thrives on predictable bedtime rituals.
The settled baby
Easy-going, adapts well.
Benefits from gentle, hands-on exploration.
The sensitive baby
Feels everything deeply.
Needs filtered stimulation: dim lights, soft voices, slower transitions.
No baby is one type all the time. But knowing their tendencies makes teething support easier and more intuitive.
The Snookums 3×3 Teething Check
One of the biggest questions parents ask is:
“How do I know if it’s really teething or something else?”
Use this simple, screenshot-friendly check:
How to use it:
If your baby shows 2 signs from Column A + 2 signs from Column B, teething is likely.
If fewer than 2+2, check Column C — and if any apply, contact your doctor.
3×3 Teething Check
| A: Behaviour signs | B: Physical signs | C: Not teething signs |
| Chewing more (hands, toys, shoulder) | Swollen or red gums | High fever |
| Extra drooling | Rash around mouth from drool | Persistent diarrhoea |
| Irritable in short bursts (but still has calm moments) | Ear pulling but still playful | Inconsolable crying for long periods |
| Increased clinginess | White ridge under gums | Lethargy / “not themselves” |
| Shorter, disrupted naps | Mild temperature rise only | Vomiting |
Quick rule:
2 signs from A + 2 signs from B → teething likely.
Anything in C → check with a doctor.
How to soothe a crying, teething baby (without overwhelming them or you)
Crying is communication, not failure. When teething joins the mix, it can feel relentless but there is a calm way through it.
Step 1: Check the basics
- Hunger
- Temperature
- Nappy
- Burp
- Signs of illness
Step 2: Soothe using the senses
Babies experience the world intensely. Teething can make everything feel “too much.”
Try:
- Light: dim the room
- Sound: shushing, humming, white noise
- Touch: firm pressure, skin-to-skin
- Movement: rocking, walking
- Sucking: dummy or safety food feeder (age-appropriate foods)
For more soothing strategies, see How to calm your crying baby: gentle tricks that really work – https://snookums.co.za/how-to-calm-your-crying-baby-gentle-tricks-that-really-work/
Step 3: Slow yourself down
Babies feel our rush. Try one strategy for a few minutes before switching.
And if you feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to put your baby safely in their cot and take a breath. A steadier parent is the best soothing tool.
Safe teething remedies (what actually helps)
Helpful options
- Soft silicone or natural rubber teethers
- Teething mittens
- Safety food feeder
- A clean chilled washcloth
- Extra closeness and contact
Avoid
- Alcohol rubs
- Sweetened biscuits
- Frozen rock-hard toys
- Anything not approved for babies
What to pack in your teething toolkit
You don’t need a whole cupboard of gadgets – just a few thoughtfully chosen tools that truly help. Many parents keep a small “teething pouch” in the nappy bag and another at home.
A simple kit might include a soft silicone teether, a chilled washcloth, a calming comfort object like a baby security blankie, and something to keep busy hands off sore gums, such as teething mittens. When your baby is ready for solids, a safety food feeder can be soothing with chilled foods.
These items sit naturally within our teething – https://snookums.co.za/product-category/teething-relief/ and dummies & blankies collections – https://snookums.co.za/product-category/dummies-blankies/ but the goal isn’t to buy everything, just to have two or three reliable tools ready when you need them most.
When to start weaning the dummy
There’s no magical date but many families start limiting dummy use around 12 months, mainly at sleep times. Dentists often suggest full weaning between ages two and three.
A gentle approach:
- Reserve dummy for naps and bedtime
- Remove it once baby is in deep sleep
- Offer a baby security blankie as a comfort swap
- Use positive “goodbye dummy” rituals for toddlers
When teething isn’t the whole story: when to call the doctor
Check in with your healthcare provider if your baby has:
- Persistent high fever
- Signs of ear infection
- Continuous vomiting or diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Crying that feels “different” from usual
Always trust your gut — you don’t have to wait and see alone.
Teething won’t last forever but your care will
Right now you might feel like you live in a swirl of drool, broken nights and tiny teeth marks on everything. It’s tiring. It’s messy. And it’s okay to admit it’s hard.
Your baby won’t remember how many times they woke, or which tooth came first.
They’ll remember something entirely different:
- That when their gums hurt, you held them
- That when nights were rough, you showed up
- That even in your exhaustion, you were their safe place
You don’t have to handle teething perfectly. You just have to handle it with love, and you’re already doing that, one tiny tooth at a time.
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