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9 month old won’t sleep on his own

7 replies

Atovell · 17/09/2022 23:50

My 9 month old is normally a great sleeper, like 10/11 hours without waking, maybe once on a few occasions.

friday night he went down at 845, he woke at 1145 and I tried to soothe him back to sleep in his room but every time I put him in his cot, he instantly started crying. He will sleep on me in the rocking chair fine. At about 3am I gave up and brought him in bed with me (I know schoolboy error but I was so tired).

After his bath tonight, he had his milk and fell asleep on me during this. He did seem quite unsettled during his feed, kept bursting into random crying but eventually went off. Again, as soon as I put him down he cried instantly. He would not settle for anything, so after about an hour I brought him downstairs. He was wide awake and started laughing and playing around. I tried after 30 mins to put him in his cot again, he fell asleep on me prior to this, but instantly cried again. He’s now asleep on the sofa next to me. I will try again to put him down in his cot but if he doesn’t, I am unsure what to do. I know I should persevere but how long am I meant to do this for? I am back to work now and my partner works full time, so I can’t stay up all night trying to get him to sleep so I fear I will end up bringing him into my bed.

i have read about the 9 month sleep regression, is this just what it is and am I doing the right thing? If I wasn’t back to work I would stay in his room for as long as I could but obviously now I need to try and get a relatively good sleep.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LapinR0se · 18/09/2022 06:44

Whats his overall routine? 8.45pm is a late bedtime so there could be overtiredness building up

Atovell · 18/09/2022 09:40

normally his bed time is between 0730-0830, I’ve kept it like this as it’s never been an issue and he sleeps all night. Maybe I will try an earlier one tonight

OP posts:
Skinnermarink · 18/09/2022 09:49

peak time for separation anxiety I think. But I would also try an earlier bedtime.

LapinR0se · 18/09/2022 16:16

Earlier bedtime won’t work on its own. What times are his naps and meals and is he eating well?

Atovell · 18/09/2022 17:55

He’s always been a pretty bad napper during the day. Some days he can have about 3 hours (Over 2 naps) and some days (like today) can have around 45 minutes all day. He has never slept in his cot for his naps, normally in his pram or downstairs. I have tried on many occasions to get him to nap in his cot but he has never taken to it. I’ve never worried too much as he’s always been an excellent sleeper at night, no matter how many or how little naps he had during the day.

his eating is fine, he eats 2/3 meals a day and they are decent portions. He’s still getting plenty of milk too.

OP posts:
Atovell · 18/09/2022 17:56

I thought that too. Will try and earlier bed time tonight, he hasn’t napped well at all today, probably 45 mins at the most.

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 18/09/2022 18:19

Your only real option is to gently sleep train for all naps and sleep as now the daytime habits are spilling over into the night and it’s not really sustainable.
I would start tomorrow and do every nap and sleep in the cot. Tomorrow is Monday, by Thursday you’ll have a baby that naps in the cot and sleeps much better at night.

9 month old routine
7am wake and milk
8.30am porridge
9.20-10am nap

11.30am lunch with protein followed by natural Greek yoghurt

12.30-2.30pm nap

2.30pm milk and rice cakes or other small snack

5pm dinner, carb-based
6pm bath
6.30pm milk

7pm bed

For every nap and for bed put on a nice cosy 2.5 tog sleeping bag and give a cot-safe lovey.

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