이앓이 vs 배고픔: 아기가 밤에 깨는 이유
By Healthy Horizons Breastfeeding Centers, Inc. | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: 팁 및 관리
아기가 이가 나는 통증 때문에 깨는 걸까요, 배고파서 깨는 걸까요? 차이를 구별하는 방법과 실리콘 티서가 언제 잇몸 통증 완화에 도움이 되는지 알아보세요.
Quick Answer
If your baby wakes crying but settles quickly with a pacifier or gentle rocking, teething is likely the cause. If they root, suck on fists, or take a full feed, hunger is the culprit. Offer a silicone teether before a feed to test which it is.
How to Tell Teething from Hunger at Night
Teething pain often causes fussiness, drooling, and a need to chew. A hungry baby will show rooting, lip-smacking, or hand-to-mouth movements. The key difference: teething babies may reject the breast or bottle after a few sucks, while hungry babies will feed eagerly.
Teething discomfort tends to come in waves and may be worse at night when there are fewer distractions. Hunger signals are more consistent and follow a predictable feeding schedule. If your baby is older than 4 months and waking more frequently than usual, teething is a strong possibility.
When a Silicone Teether Helps
A safe, food-grade silicone teether gives babies something firm yet gentle to gnaw on, which can relieve gum pressure and help them settle back to sleep. Unlike frozen teethers, room-temperature silicone won't damage tender gums. Look for designs with varied textures and an easy-to-hold shape for little hands.
When to Offer a Feed Instead
If your baby is under 4 months, hunger is the more likely cause of night waking. Offer a feed first. If they drain the bottle or nurse actively, they were hungry. If they fall asleep after just a few sucks, they may have been seeking comfort rather than calories.
Night Waking Diagnosis at a Glance
- Symptom: Baby wakes crying, fussy, or restless but not rooting for food. Likely teething discomfort.
- Test Action: Offer a silicone teether and observe. If baby chews and settles, teething is the cause. If baby rejects teether and continues crying, move to next step.
- Corrective Action: Offer a feed. If baby feeds eagerly and falls asleep, hunger was the cause. If baby refuses or takes only a few sucks, return to teething solutions. If teething is confirmed, continue using teether and gentle soothing. If hunger persists, consider a dream feed or adjusting daytime feeding schedule.
Product That Can Help
- Loulou Lollipop Silicone Teether & Teether Sets: Each Loulou Lollipop Silicone Teether features unique textures and an easy-to-hold design, made from safe and durable food-grade silicone free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead, and cadmium. The varied textures provide different levels of gum massage, and the easy-grip shape lets even young babies hold and chew independently, making it a practical tool for testing whether teething is the cause of night waking.
