👶Sleep and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old
Managing sleep challenges during your baby's first year
Understanding Sleep Challenges
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?
Sleep Requirements:
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.
Sleep Breakdown:
- • Total daily sleep: 12-16 hours
- • Nighttime sleep: 9-12 hours
- • Two naps per day
- • Nap duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Nap Variations:
Some babies nap for 30 minutes, while others nap for up to 2 hours. This wide variation is completely normal and depends on your baby's individual sleep needs and temperament.
- •Short naps (30 minutes) are common
- •Long naps (up to 2 hours) are also normal
- •Individual variation is expected
- •Focus on total daily sleep amount
🛏️How Should Babies Sleep?
The American 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 (Safe):
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.
Benefits:
- • Easier nighttime feeding and comfort
- • Better monitoring of baby
- • Reduces SIDS risk
- • Convenient for parents
Bed-Sharing (Not Safe):
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.
Important Warning:
Bed-sharing significantly increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Always use a separate sleep surface for your baby.
⚠️Safe Sleep Environment Guidelines
Follow these recommendations for a safe sleep environment for your little one:
Sleep Position & Surface:
- •Always place your baby on their back to sleep
- •When babies consistently roll over, it's fine for them to remain in chosen position
- •Use a firm, flat sleep surface
- •Cover the mattress with a sheet that fits snugly
Items to Keep Out:
- •Plush toys, pillows, blankets
- •Unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters
- •Sheepskins and bumper pads
- •Items with cords, ties, or ribbons
Additional Safety Tips:
Temperature & Environment:
- • Dress baby for room temperature, don't overbundle
- • Don't cover baby's head while sleeping
- • Watch for signs of overheating (sweating, hot to touch)
- • Keep baby away from smokers
Pacifiers & Hazards:
- • Offer pacifier at sleep time, but don't force it
- • Don't replace pacifier if it falls out during sleep
- • Wait until breastfeeding is established
- • Check for hanging mobiles, wall hangings, blind cords
💤How Can I Make Bedtime Easier?
Bedtime Routine:
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
- •Signal an end to the day
- •These same activities can be used for years to come
- •Consistency is key to success
Sleep Independence:
You'll want your baby to fall asleep on their own. This may mean doing your nighttime routine and putting your baby into the crib while they're drowsy but still awake.
- •Put baby in crib while drowsy but awake
- •If baby cries, stay away for a few minutes
- •Baby may settle down and go to sleep
- •Give them time to settle down if safe
Handling Persistent Crying:
If the crying continues, soothe your baby for a moment without picking your little one 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 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.
If you know your baby is safe (and not hungry, wet, soiled, or feeling unwell), it's OK to give them time to settle down.
🌙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 their own.
How to Respond:
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.
- •Allow time for baby to get back to sleep on their own
- •Give a few fussy minutes before responding
- •Check that everything is OK
- •Leave baby alone to fall back to sleep
Reassurance Strategy:
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 they need to go back to sleep.
- •Reassure quietly that you're there
- •Send message that they need to go back to sleep
- •Best bet: soothing pat on the back and quick exit
- •Be firm and consistent
Important Reminder:
Remember: Cuddling, feeding, or talking when your baby wakes up may prompt your little one to wake regularly for this attention. Keep nighttime interactions brief and boring to encourage longer sleep stretches.
If you are firm and consistent about teaching your baby to go back to sleep without you, this stage should pass pretty quickly.
🏥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. They can provide guidance on establishing healthy sleep habits and help you understand what's normal for your baby's age and development.
❓Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Sleep (8-12 Months)
How much sleep should my 8-12 month old baby get?
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. This wide variation is completely normal and depends on your baby's individual sleep needs.
Why is my baby suddenly having sleep problems at this age?
Sleep problems are common in the second half of a baby's first year. This is often due to separation anxiety, a normal stage of development. 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 a sign of healthy attachment and awareness of their caregivers.
How can I help my baby learn to fall asleep independently?
Put your baby into the crib while they're drowsy but still awake. If the baby cries, stay away for a few minutes. If the crying continues, soothe your baby for a moment without picking them up. This helps them learn to self-soothe. If your child keeps crying, a few loving words from the bedroom door and a quick exit may help.
What should I do when my baby wakes up crying at night?
Give your baby a few fussy minutes before you respond. After seeing that everything is OK, leave your baby alone to fall back to sleep. When your baby wakes up and cries for you, reassure them quietly that you're there, then send the message that they need to go back to sleep. A soothing pat on the back and quick exit often works best.
Is it normal for my baby to have different nap lengths?
Yes, it's completely normal for babies to have varying nap lengths. Some babies nap for 30 minutes, while others nap for up to 2 hours. This individual variation is expected and depends on your baby's temperament and sleep needs. Focus on the total daily sleep amount rather than individual nap lengths.
Should I still be room-sharing with my baby at this age?
The AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing until the first birthday or for at least 6 months, when the risk of SIDS is highest. Room-sharing means placing your baby's crib in your bedroom, not in the same bed. This keeps your baby nearby for feeding and comfort while maintaining safety.
How can I make bedtime easier for my baby?
Establish a consistent bedtime routine with soothing activities like a warm bath followed by stories or singing. These activities signal an end to the day and can be used for years to come. Put your baby in the crib while drowsy but awake, and be consistent with your approach. If you haven't started a routine yet, now's a good time to begin.
What if my baby keeps crying and calling for me at bedtime?
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 your baby is asleep. Be firm and consistent about teaching your baby to go back to sleep without you.
How long will this sleep regression last?
If you are firm and consistent about teaching your baby to go back to sleep without you, this stage should pass pretty quickly. The key is to maintain consistent boundaries and not give in to demands for attention during the night. Remember that cuddling, feeding, or talking when your baby wakes up may prompt them to wake regularly for this attention.
When should I be concerned about my baby's sleep problems?
It can be hard to respond to your baby's needs with the right balance of concern and consistency. If you have questions about your baby's sleep, talk with your doctor. They can provide guidance on establishing healthy sleep habits and help you understand what's normal for your baby's age and development. This is the time to set the stage for future restful nights for the whole family.