Sleep problems are common in the second half of a baby's first year. Some babies
may call out or cry in the middle of the night, then calm down when mom or dad enters
the room. This is due to separation
anxiety, a normal stage of development that happens during this time.
If this happens, as with other awakenings, give your baby some time to settle down.
If needed, give brief reassurance to your little one without taking your baby out
of the crib.
How Long Will My Baby Sleep?
Most babies this age should sleep 12–16 hours per day, including a stretch
of 9–12 hours at night. Your baby will likely still take two naps per day. Some
babies nap for 30 minutes, while others nap for up to 2 hours.
How Should Babies Sleep?
The American of Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing
without bed-sharing until the first birthday or for at least 6 months, when the risk
of SIDS (sudden infant
death syndrome) is highest.
Room-sharing is when you place your baby's crib,
portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your own bedroom instead of in a separate
nursery. This keeps your baby nearby and helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring
your baby at night.
While room-sharing is safe, putting your baby to sleep in bed with you
is not. Bed-sharing
increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Follow these recommendations for a safe sleep environment for your little one:
- Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, not on the stomach
or side. The rate of SIDS has gone way down since the AAP introduced this
recommendation in 1992. Once babies consistently roll over from front to back and
back to front, it's fine for them to remain in the sleep position they choose.
- Use a firm sleep surface. Cover the mattress with a sheet that
fits snugly. Make sure your crib, bassinet, or play yard meets current safety standards.
- Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. Keep plush
toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper
pads out of your baby's sleep area.
- Avoid overheating. Dress your baby for the room temperature,
and don't overbundle. Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling
hot to the touch.
- Keep your baby away from smokers. Secondhand
smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Put your baby to sleep with a pacifier. But if your baby rejects
the pacifier, don't force it. If the pacifier falls out during sleep you do not have
to replace it.
- Watch out for other hazards. Avoid items with cords, ties, or
ribbons that can wrap around a baby's neck, and objects with any kind of sharp edge
or corner. Look around for things that your baby can touch from a seated or standing
position in the crib. Hanging mobiles, wall hangings, pictures, draperies, and window
blind cords could be harmful if they are within a baby's reach.
How Can I Make Bedtime Easier?
You may have started a bedtime routine that you're sticking to. If you haven't
yet, now's a good time to start. Soothing activities that lead up to "night-night"
time can help relax your baby. A warm bath followed by stories or singing will signal
an end to the day, and these same activities can be used at bedtime for years to come.
You'll want your baby to fall asleep on his or her own. This may mean doing your
nighttime routine and putting the baby into the crib while he or she is drowsy but
still awake. If the baby cries, stay away for a few minutes. Your baby may settle
down and go to sleep.
If the crying continues, soothe your baby for a moment without picking him or her
up. This may go on a few times until your baby figures out that the crying is not
getting results. This can be tough for parents, since it's upsetting to hear your
baby cry. If you know your baby is safe (and not hungry, wet, soiled, or feeling unwell),
it's OK to give him or her time to settle down.
If your child keeps on crying and calling for you, a few loving words from the
bedroom door ("Mommy's right here, but it's time for you to go to sleep now") and
another quick exit may do the trick. Try to lengthen the time between these personal
appearances until — at long last — your baby is asleep.
What If My Baby Wakes at Night?
Even a baby who has been sleeping through the night will sometimes wake in the
wee hours, just as adults do. Allow some time to let your baby get back to sleep on
his or her own. Give your baby a few fussy minutes before you respond, then after
seeing that everything is OK, leave your baby alone to fall back to sleep.
When your baby wakes up in the night and cries for you, reassure your baby quietly
that you're there. Then send the message that he or she needs to go back to sleep.
Your best bet might be a soothing pat on the back and a quick exit. If you are firm
and consistent about teaching your baby to go back to sleep without you, this stage
should pass pretty quickly.
Remember: Cuddling, feeding, or talking when your baby wakes up may prompt your
little one to wake regularly for this attention.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
It can be hard to respond to your baby's needs with the right balance of concern
and consistency. But this is the time to set the stage for future restful nights for
the whole family.
If you have questions about your baby's sleep, talk with your doctor.
