Babies sleep in entirely different patterns than adults–they sleep much of the day and wake often during the night. As a baby gets older, around 10 months and up, his sleeping pattern adjusts to be slightly more like an adult. According to Baby Center, babies 6 months and older can usually sleep for five to six hours or more at a time. If your baby is having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night, there are things that you can do to help.
Step 1
Put your baby to sleep at the same time every night. Letting him sleep late on weekends shifts his body’s sleeping rhythms, making it harder for him to get to bed on time on other nights. Pediatrician and Professor at the University of California at Irvine, Dr. Bill Sears, states that predictable sleep and napping times get your baby used to going to sleep at the same time every night. This makes it easier for him to fall asleep and stay asleep longer.
Step 2
Maintain a bedtime routine such as reading her a story book, nursing her or giving her a bath before bed. Babies thrive on routines so doing the same thing before bed every night will remind your baby that bedtime is coming. Knowing what to expect, she will be more likely to fall asleep easily.
Step 3
Make your baby’s room as comfortable as possible. Sometimes the main reason that an older baby has trouble sleeping is the amount of noise coming from nearby rooms. Keep the television on low volume and play soft music in your baby’s room to drown out other noises. Make sure he doesn’t need to be changed or burped before putting him to bed. Dr. Sears also recommends turning the lights off and making sure the room is cool, but not cold. Setting the right atmosphere confirms to your baby that you will always be there to make him comfortable, an important step in sleep training.
Step 4
Let your 10-month-old “cry it out” if he is having trouble sleeping when you aren’t near. Babycenter.com explains that letting the baby cry himself to sleep effectively trains him to fall asleep on his own. Put the baby to sleep at his regular time. If he cries because he doesn’t want to sleep or wants to be near you, leave him alone for a short period of time before offering the comfort of your voice. There are several "cry it out" methods–find one that might work for you. Eventually, your 10-month-old will learn to soothe himself to sleep.
Things You'll Need
- Story book
- Soft music
