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 them, when you go to another room or when you put them to bed. When they wake up crying at night, you can reassure them simply by being there and talking softly to them. Often, just your voice and touch will make them feel better. Remember that it’s normal for babies to have wakeful periods. Your baby can learn gradually to go to sleep by themselves.

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

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

If your baby cries a lot at night, you should check to make sure they’re not sick. Take their temperature. If it happens often, talk to your doctor. You doctor 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.