Ashwin Lewis
As your baby grows, so do their sleep needs. By 6 months, most babies are capable of sleeping for at least 6 to 8 hours at night. However, it is common for babies to experience sleep regression at this age, which can cause temporary disruptions in their sleep patterns. To help your baby sleep, you can aim for a total of 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day, including 3 to 4 hours of daytime sleep divided into 2 to 3 naps. You can also begin sleep training, which involves teaching your baby to self-soothe and fall asleep independently. It is important to maintain a consistent bedtime routine, ensure a safe sleep environment, and be mindful of your baby's development, such as teething or pulling up to stand, which may impact their sleep.
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Daytime sleep
The number of naps a 6-month-old baby takes can vary, with some still taking three solid naps, while others transition to two naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The transition between nap schedules can take 2 to 4 weeks, and it is normal for the third nap to be the shortest. During this time, it is important to be flexible with bedtime, as your baby adjusts to longer wake windows.
To ensure your baby gets adequate daytime sleep, establish a consistent and calming bedtime routine. This may include activities such as reading or snuggling in a rocking chair before moving them to their crib while they are drowsy but still awake. It is recommended to place your baby on their back to sleep and ensure the sleep area is free from any hazards, such as plush toys, pillows, or loose blankets, to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Additionally, spend plenty of time connecting with your baby during their awake periods, as this sense of security can help them sleep better at night. It is also important to note that teething can disrupt sleep, so providing appropriate teething toys and comfort can help your baby through this challenging time.
Remember, every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns can vary greatly. By being consistent, patient, and attentive to your baby's needs, you can help them develop healthy sleep habits that will benefit them throughout their childhood.
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Sleep training
At six months, your baby is staying awake longer, playing more, and may even be sitting up independently. They may also be ready to transition from three naps to two. On average, babies around six months old sleep for 11 to 15 hours per 24-hour period, although there is great variability in infant sleep.
Most babies are developmentally ready for sleep training at six months and older. However, it's important to have realistic expectations, as your baby's version of "sleeping through the night" may be different from yours. For example, while many six-month-olds can sleep for 6 to 10 hours a night without waking up, research shows that up to 38% of six-month-olds don't sleep for six consecutive hours, and 57% don't sleep for eight hours.
Before starting sleep training, it's important to ensure that you and your partner are fully committed to making it work, as it can be emotionally and physically challenging. It's also wise to avoid sleep training during times of sickness, chaos, or transition, such as when your baby is teething, sick, or transitioning to their own room.
Sleep regression can occur at any age, so don't be discouraged if your baby once slept well and is now having trouble. Sleep training can help get them back to sleeping through the night, and it usually takes about a week for sleep training tactics to stick. However, it's important to be consistent with your chosen method and remember that it may take longer depending on your baby's personal needs and temperament.
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Sleep regression
At six months, babies are staying awake longer, playing more, and may even be sitting up independently. They are also undergoing significant physical and mental growth. While there are general patterns in infant sleep, there is significant variability from one baby to the next. It is normal for a child to have a sleep regression at 6 months or for their sleep to either stay the same or show signs of improvement. Sleep regression is a common phrase used to describe a temporary disruption in your child's sleep, like waking more in the night, taking shorter naps, or fighting bedtime.
At 6 months of age, it is recommended that infants get between 12 and 16 hours of sleep per day. Most babies of this age are starting to stay asleep for longer stretches at a time, a process known as sleep consolidation. Although they still usually nap a couple of times per day, a portion of their sleep shifts to nighttime, and many 6-month-olds start sleeping through the night.
Sleeping problems in 6-month-olds do not usually require medical attention. However, you can always raise questions about a baby’s sleep during normal check-ins with their pediatrician. It is best to check with your baby’s doctor about sleep regressions if you also notice other issues such as the baby not getting enough sleep or having poor sleep quality (for instance, they wake frequently or snore).
- Give your baby lots of floor time to practice rolling, sitting up, and observing the world around them. The more they practice during the day, the less exciting those skills will seem when they need to sleep.
- A bedtime between 7:00 and 8:00 pm can make falling asleep and staying asleep easier for your baby.
- A consistent bedtime routine can also help prepare your baby’s body for sleep.
- Both daytime and night sleep are vital for the major development your baby’s brain and body are experiencing around this age.
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Nighttime routine
A 6-month-old baby should sleep for between 11 and 16 hours per 24-hour period. This includes a longer stretch at night (between 6 and 9 hours) and at least two naps during the day, totalling 3 to 4 hours of daytime sleep.
Feeding
It is recommended that feeding takes place at the beginning of the bedtime routine, or before the routine altogether. If you are breastfeeding, try nursing from just one side at night to decrease the amount of milk your baby gets from nighttime feedings. If you are bottle-feeding, consider giving your baby a bottle of water instead of formula at night.
Pacifier
If your baby uses a pacifier at bedtime, you can either wean them off it or help them learn to get it on their own during the night. Place several pacifiers in one corner of the crib and help your baby practice reaching for one and putting it in their mouth at bedtime.
Sleep training
Sleep training can start at around 5 months, but the best time to do it is when you decide it's right for your family. If your baby is struggling with sleep, consider a sleep training plan to help them sleep independently for 10-12 hours overnight.
Crib
Place your baby in their crib while they are drowsy but still awake. If your baby cries, stay away for a few minutes. They may settle down and go to sleep. If the crying continues, soothe your baby for a moment without picking them up.
Safe sleep environment
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat sleep surface, and without any plush toys, pillows, blankets, or other items in the crib. Keep your baby's room at a comfortable temperature and dress them appropriately for the weather.
Remember that it is normal for a child to have a sleep regression at 6 months, and that there is a wide range of normal when it comes to infant sleep.
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Safe sleep environment
A safe sleep environment is crucial to reducing the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. Here are some ways to create a safe sleep environment for your 6-month-old:
Sleep Position and Surface
The recommended sleep position for your baby is on their back. This position ensures that the reflexes that keep your baby's airways open, such as swallowing, stirring, and waking up if their airways become blocked, function optimally. Sleeping on their back also reduces the likelihood of your baby rebreathing exhaled air, which contains less oxygen, and provides more space around their mouth and nose, keeping their airways open.
The sleep surface, which includes the mattress and bedding, should be firm, flat, and level. Use a tight-fitting sheet over a well-fitted waterproof mattress protector that is not padded or soft. This setup will enable your baby to breathe easily, even if they roll over.
Sleep Space
Your baby's sleep space should be free of any hazards that might obstruct their breathing or pose strangulation and suffocation risks. Keep your baby's face and head uncovered, and avoid using doonas, pillows, nests, loungers, cot bumpers, mattress padding, soft toys, or sleep positioners. Ensure that any coverings are lightweight and tucked in securely at your baby's chest level, with their feet positioned at the bottom of the cot.
Additionally, maintain a clear, smoke-free environment that is not too hot, and keep the crib or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate nursery to facilitate feeding, comforting, and monitoring your baby during the night.
Bedtime Routine
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help your 6-month-old develop healthy sleep habits. This routine might include soothing activities such as a warm bath, followed by stories or singing, signalling the transition to bedtime. It is recommended to make feeding the first step of the routine instead of the last, working towards helping your baby fall asleep independently.
Remember, it is normal for sleep patterns to vary among 6-month-olds, with some sleeping through the night and others experiencing sleep regression. If you have concerns about your baby's sleep patterns or overall sleep quality, consult your healthcare provider.
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Frequently asked questions
Most babies at 6 months should be sleeping 12-16 hours a day, including a longer stretch at night and at least two naps during the day.
If your baby is waking up several times a night, you may want to consider sleep training. However, it's important to remember that this may not be the right choice for your family, and that all babies are different.
One option is to wean your baby off their pacifier at bedtime. Another is to help them learn to get their pacifier on their own during the night by placing several pacifiers in their crib. You can also try moving bedtime feeding to the beginning of the bedtime routine, or before the routine altogether.
Some common issues include teething, separation anxiety, and changes in feeding habits. If your baby is sleeping through the night and then starts waking up again, it could be because they can pull up to stand in their crib or because they're aware that you exist even when they can't see you.
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