While babies need nearly 16 hours of sleep per day, for some reason this sleep rarely seems to be consecutive or at the time you are trying to sleep. Once your baby reaches the six-month mark, however, she may be able to sleep nine to 12 hours a night, according to the Mayo Clinic, and 70 percent of 9-month-old babies sleep through the night, according to BabyCenter. In order to achieve this milestone, you must tire your baby during the day and soothe her at night.
Step 1
Play and engage your baby throughout the day. Not only is this great bonding time for you and your little one, but it also presents the opportunity to physically and mentally stimulate your child. Activities include singing, playing and even talking together. You also can use sensory stimulation, such as bright or natural light, so your baby can associate this with being awake, and dark with being asleep.
Step 2
Avoid letting your baby nap for too long during the day. While naps are important, extended nap times can mean your baby is less tired at night when it's time to sleep through the night.
Step 3
Follow the same sleep routine every night with your baby. This can begin with a baby's bath time, then holding your baby in a dimly lit room while you sing to her or read to her. She may begin to show signs of sleepiness, such as wandering eyes, fussiness or yawning.
Step 4
Put your baby in her crib when your baby seems to be reaching her sleeping point. It's important to put her in the crib before she is asleep in order to avoid having one of the aspects of her sleep routine be to sleep with you. Your goal should be to teach your child to go to sleep---and stay asleep---on her own.
Step 5
Provide your baby with a comforting object, such as a blanket, pacifier or toy that can serve as a comfort while she falls asleep.
Tips and Warnings
- While it can be difficult, you should allow your child to cry for several moments before checking on your child. The University of Illinois Extension suggests setting a timer for 10 minutes as a time to wait and see if your baby will comfort herself back to sleep. If you do check on her and do not discover any reason why your baby should be uncomfortable, refrain from picking her up to soothe her, instead offering a gentle, comforting pat.
Things You'll Need
- Pacifier
- Blanket
- Soothing music
