#asktheexpert its getting very difficult to make my 1 year old baby sleep at night, she is waking up multiple times( approx 5-6 times) during nights and sleeping only when i feed her breast milk or rock her to sleep. How to make her sleep pattern consistent and not disturbed?

Question

Accepted Answer

It’s common for a 1-year-old to wake up frequently during the night, and it can be challenging when they rely on breastfeeding or rocking to fall back asleep. Here are some strategies that can help improve her sleep pattern and make her sleep more consistent:

1. Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine

Set up a calming routine each night to signal bedtime, like a warm bath, a soothing massage, brushing teeth, reading a story, or singing a lullaby.

Try to make the bedtime routine happen at the same time every night to help regulate her internal body clock.

2. Encourage Self-Soothing

Gradually encourage her to self-soothe and fall asleep on her own, rather than relying on breastfeeding or rocking. You can start by putting her down drowsy but still awake.

If she wakes up, wait a few minutes before going to her to see if she can settle herself back to sleep.

3. Reduce Nighttime Feeding Gradually

Slowly reduce the amount of breast milk or the length of feeding sessions during the night. This can help her break the association between waking up and being fed back to sleep.

Offer water or a comfort object like a soft toy or blanket instead of breastfeeding every time she wakes up.

4. Make the Sleeping Environment Comfortable

Ensure her room is conducive to sleep: dim lights, comfortable temperature, and a quiet environment.

Use white noise or a fan to drown out any sudden sounds that might wake her up.

5. Limit Daytime Sleep

Make sure her naps during the day are well-timed and not too close to bedtime, as too much daytime sleep can interfere with night sleep.

Balance her nap schedule—aim for 1 to 2 naps during the day, with a total of 2 to 3 hours of nap time.

6. Be Consistent with Night Wakings

When she wakes up, respond in a calm, quiet manner. Keep interactions minimal to signal that it’s still time to sleep.

Try not to engage in too much talking, playing, or bright lights when she wakes up during the night.

7. Sleep Training Techniques

Consider using sleep training methods like gradual withdrawal or the Ferber method, where you let her fuss for a few minutes before checking on her. Gradually increase the time between checks to allow her to learn to sleep without your immediate help.

Start slowly and consistently. Some parents prefer gentler sleep training approaches like gradually reducing rocking and breastfeeding over a few weeks.

8. Offer a Full Meal Before Bed

Ensure she has a filling dinner or a last snack (such as oatmeal or banana) before bed, which can help prevent hunger from waking her up during the night.

9. Reduce Stimulation Before Bed

Keep the environment calm and relaxing in the hour leading up to bedtime. Avoid stimulating activities, loud noises, or screen time right before sleep.

If she continues to have difficulty, it might help to discuss the situation with your pediatrician to rule out any underlying issues like teething discomfort or digestive issues that might be disturbing her sleep.