Sleep after 6 months

Most babies between the ages of 6 and 12 months sleep 8 to 10 hours a night for a total of about 15 hours a day.

Sometimes, 6- to 12-month-old babies start waking up again in the night. This is the normal period for separation anxiety. You might also notice during the day that your baby reacts more strongly when you leave her, when you go to another room or when you put her to bed. When she wakes up crying at night, you can reassure her simply by being there and talking softly to her. Often, just your voice and touch will make her feel better. Remember that it’s normal for babies to have wakeful periods. Your baby can learn gradually to go to sleep by herself.

Remember that whatever your baby needs to go to sleep is the same as what she will need to go back to sleep when she wakes in the middle of the night. If she needs to be breast- or bottle-fed or to be rocked to go to sleep, she will probably need you to help her go back to sleep when she wakes in the middle of the night.

If you want her to learn to go back to sleep on her own, you need to teach her first to go to sleep on her own in the evening. If she does need you there, you can try teaching her to go to sleep on her own by gradually decreasing the amount of time you stay with her each evening.

If your baby cries a lot at night, you should check to make sure she’s not sick. Take her temperature. If it happens often, talk to your doctor. He or she can reassure you about your baby’s physical well-being and support you during the difficult period.

If your baby doesn’t have any health problems, think about your bedtime routine and see if it can be improved to encourage sleep.