Solutions to Sleep Concerns for Babies (6 to 12 Months)

 

Summary

If your baby’s sleep habits do not negatively affect your family, you do not have a sleep concern. Around six months, babies start sleeping more like adults, often sleeping longer at night. Parents should respond to their baby’s needs with strategies that feel right for their family.

Sleep Concerns and Your Baby

If your baby’s sleep habits are causing distress for you or your family, you have a sleep concern.

Signs of severe night waking include:

• Waking more than three times a night, at least five times a week.

• Taking more than 30 minutes to settle.

• Staying awake for 20 minutes or more after waking.

• Needing to sleep in a parent’s bed.

• Causing significant distress to parents.

If you’re concerned, seek advice from a maternal and child health nurse or doctor.

Looking After Yourself

All babies cry, and sometimes soothing them is difficult. If you feel overwhelmed, place your baby in a safe space and take a short break. Your well-being is important. If sleep concerns persist, talk to a healthcare professional to rule out underlying issues.

Strategies to Help Your Baby Sleep and Settle

By six months, babies start sleeping for longer stretches at night, though some may still wake. Responsive settling helps babies feel secure. Watch for your baby’s sleep cues and respond appropriately. A consistent sleep environment and routine can support better sleep.

Helping Your Baby Sleep with Parental Presence

This method involves staying in the baby’s room while they fall asleep. Research shows it works, but it takes time and effort.

Steps:

1. Set a consistent bedtime.

2. Follow a calming bedtime routine (e.g., bath, story).

3. Put your baby in their cot while drowsy but awake.

4. Pat them gently and say good night.

5. Lie on a mattress in the room with a night light on, pretending to sleep.

6. If your baby wakes, make small noises or movements to reassure them.

7. If distress continues, soothe with touch and soft words but avoid picking them up.

8. Repeat for naps and night wakings for at least seven nights.

9. Once sleep improves for three nights in a row, return to your room.

10. If sleep problems return, reintroduce the method.

Helping Your Baby Sleep by Camping Out

Camping out is similar to parental presence but allows for gradual withdrawal. This method may take one to three weeks.

Steps:

1. Set a consistent bedtime and routine.

2. Put your baby in the cot while drowsy and say good night.

3. Follow these steps, progressing at a comfortable pace:

   • Sit next to the cot, patting or stroking your baby until they sleep.

   • Sit in a chair by the cot without touching them.

   • Move the chair further away each night.

   • Eventually, place the chair outside the door.

4. If your baby wakes, repeat the last successful step.

Responsive Settling

This method, also called controlled comforting, involves checking on your baby at increasing intervals. It should be done correctly to be effective.

If there is no improvement after two to three weeks, seek advice from a health professional.

Maternal and Child Health Nurse Visits

Parents in Victoria have access to free maternal and child health services. Nurses provide support from birth until school age through regular check-ups at key developmental stages:

• Home visit after hospital discharge

• 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, 1 year, 18 months, 2 years, 3.5 years

Extra support is available by phone or at a local center.

Where to Get Help

• Maternal and Child Health Line: Tel. 13 22 29 (24/7 support across Victoria)

• Local maternal and child health service

• Your doctor (GP)

• Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre: