In previous articles, we focused on methods to get new borns’ and 3 to 6 month olds’ to sleep better. In this article, we cover the 6 – 12 month old range. Its amazing how through the various short time periods of their development, babies react differently to certain methods.
If you’re a new parent, this is probably all seeming very daunting. But be rest assured, every other parent out there has had their fair share of trials as experiences.
6-12 months
At this stage, your baby needs around 13-15 hours of sleep a day now, with around 3 naps totalling 3 hours at 6 months old, probably falling to two naps totalling 2 to 2 and a half hours at a year old.
Feeding
Every baby is different, but generally babies over 6 months can sleep through the night without a feed. Of course that doesn’t mean they do!
If you’re down to one night a feed and think your baby could do without it, you could try gradually bringing it forward to before midnight to lengthen the number of hours he’s sleeping without food.
Put your baby down awake
Hopefully they’ll be drowsy and relaxed but awake when you put them down to sleep. Trouble is, babies of this age are usually shattered by bedtime and often fall asleep feeding. To avoid this, try feeding slightly earlier and have a story last thing before putting your baby down.
Be consistent
Once you’ve got your 30-45 minute getting ready for bedtime sorted, keep it the same every night, at a similar time too, so you’re giving your baby plenty of cues that it’s time for sleep.
Separation anxiety
From about 8 months, babies often go through a phase of separation anxiety as they grapple with the concept that if you’re not there, it means you’ve gone! Try to stick to what you normally do.
If they have trouble settling, always go back in because it will reassure them, but try not to pick them up. Instead gently stroke his face and say, ‘shhh, time for sleep. Night night’. Keep it quiet, calm and reassuring, gradually increasing the time between visits.
Growth spurts
Sometimes a baby whose given up night feeds will suddenly start waking up in the night because they’re having a growth spurt. Obviously you are always going to feed a hungry baby! It’s a good time to think about giving more solid food during the day.
Teething
Babies of this age are in a major teething zone. Experts say it shouldn’t wake them up but mums will know the truth! Try massaging red gums with the end of a plastic spoon that’s been in the fridge, or use your (clean) finger.
Standing up in the cot
Your baby is probably learning the exciting new skills of sitting and standing up. but hasn’t quite mastered how to lie down again afterwards. So their standing up, holding on to the bars of the cot for dear life and crying. Settle them back down quickly, kiss them good night and retreat fast.
Keep doing it every time, while trying to stay calm. Remind yourself this is a short phase that will pass. During the day try playing games to teach them to get down from standing.
Time to move rooms?
If your baby has been in your bedroom until six months old, it might be a good moment to move him into his own room. It’s amazing how often adults can wake older babies up even just by turning over in bed.
Taking them into your bed
If you don’t normally co-sleep this is often the parental equivalent of pressing the nuclear button! Sleep experts will never advise it as your baby may come to expect to get into your bed every time they wake up.
And there have been many cases where babies come to expect this routine, even as they grow old enough to walk around on their own. They will find their way into your bed.
Don’t beat yourself up if you do it occasionally. Sometimes it’s a case of needs if everyone in the house is going to get some rest on a really bad night.
We at Mattress King hope this has little series has been informative for you and wish you all the best with your new born baby.