The baby sleep problem:
Hi Louise
I'd love some of your advice for helping our 9 month-old son with his sleeping. He typically has always been a very good sleeper for us, so now that we've reached a little "hiccup" I'm eager to see if we can fix it!
Our problem is that often he just plays in his cot rather than going to sleep. He is at the crawling and pulling up to standing stage. Sometimes he is so tired, but can't seem to go to sleep if he's not on his back... and as soon as we put him on his back he rolls over and starts crawling!
Sometimes this just goes on for a short time, but other times it continues until he's so over tired that the screaming starts (and doesn't stop).
I am in a dilemma about having toys in the cot, because on the one hand they seem to be a distraction, but on the other I like the idea of him being able to play happily on his own if he's not quite ready for sleep, and then to self-settle. I also figure that even with no toys he'll still "play" with whatever he can - sleeping bag, cot bars etc!
Here are the facts:
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he has a dummy at bedtime (and very rarely at any other time)
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we swaddled him until about 7 or 8 months, and then he was trying to move around too much so I weaned him off the swaddling using the techniques on your website
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he sleeps in a sleeping bag
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we put him to sleep on his back and tuck a sheet tightly over him (which he wriggles out of if he wants to)
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we've always used sleep cues: shutting blinds, dummy, sleeping bag, mobile music etc (though have mostly stopped using the mobile music now)
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his bed times are quite routine, but we do wait for some cues from him before we put him down (e.g. rubbing eyes, grizzly)
I think that's about our story...any help you can give us would be wonderful and much appreciated.
Our recommended sleep solution:
9 months is certainly one of those stages where babies start playing up at bedtime, and learning to crawl or stand is often the trigger!
From what you have told me, I think there are a couple of things you can do to quickly remedy his sleeping:
- Routine
- Positive sleep associations
Routine:
This is absolutely key to getting an older baby to sleep well. Babies of his age need to know what you expect and when you expect it. An effective routine will also make your days much easier, as you can plan when to go out, know when to have him into bed, and ensures he is feeding/has solids at the times that are most helpful with sleeping. Your baby will quickly know you are serious about sleeping at certain times and his body clock will learn this too.
I recommend the routines from the excellent book ‘Save Our Sleep’, as they are simple and work. Check out our range of books and DVDs on the subject of infant sleep!
Positive sleep associations
I would work on building positive associations for your baby, so when he sees/hears particular things, he knows it’s time to sleep (and stay asleep).
Sleeping bags are wonderful for sleep association. Plus I think a Comfort blankie is absolutely essential. I would take all other toys out of the cot. You can get your baby attached to a comforter by getting it to smell like you(by sleeping with it next to your skin). Then baby will associate it with you and - hopefully - sleep!