Sleep changes when your baby starts walking

[DitaVonCheese]

Evening ladies. I was just wondering whether anyone noticed any changes in their DC's sleep patterns when they started walking. A few people have told me that their LOs started sleeping through at this stage, but hasn't worked for us yet! DD is 16 months and finally started walking about a week and a half ago. Since then she's been a nightmare to get to sleep in the evenings and I'm wondering if I should be putting her down earlier now - will walking be making her more tired?

It is very, very common for children who have just started walking or are just about to start walking to not be able to sleep properly. They find it particularly difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep at the beginning of the night.

It is a known and well studied fact.

It's the major developmental change. They cannot shut off the impulse to stand and walk.

I would advise against implementing any changes just for a couple of weeks. It gets better and they definitely wear themselves out more but atm just can't switch off.

Thanks SOH, that's interesting.

Glad to hear putting her down earlier isn't a great plan as I'm struggling to get her fed, washed and down by 7ish

How long is it likely to last?