After the age of 6 months babies generally sleep undisturbed for longer period of time. On an average, they sleep for 11.5 to 15 hours, combining both naps and night .sleepSome babies may continue taking 3 naps during day, but most of the babies in 6 to 9 months, sleep only twice during day.

Usually between the ages of 3 to 6 months, most of the babies follow a regular sleep routine. If there is no regular pattern till 6 months, then sleep training can prove useful to make babies sleep at particular time and for longer stretches of time.

Even after the age of 6 months, some of the babies do not sleep for longer periods and may wake up for feeding, but in general, 6 month olds sleep for 9 to 10 hours at night. Like adults, babies also wake up repeatedly, but at this age it is not necessarily due to hunger. So if the parents wish so, the babies can be night weaned at this stage.

Some of the babies, who usually sleep quietly throughout the night, could again begin waking up during this stage of 6 to 9 months. The reasons could be:

• At this age babies learn many new physical movements like sitting or crawling. So even during sleep the child might get up to try his new skills.
• Separation anxiety: When the baby wakes up during night and finds himself alone, it may cause anxiety, resulting in crying.

Setting sleeps routine:

A routine ritual at bedtime is good for baby, as it settles the baby for the night. If any pattern is not established till 6 months, then it should be initiated at this stage. At 6 months the baby is little grown up to understand and also take part in the bedtime routine.

Whatever pattern the parents choose (a bath, changing into night clothes, a bedtime story) it should be followed daily at the same time and in the same way. If a consistency is maintained in baby’s entire routine (like eating, playing, napping sleeping at night etc) it helps the child in every way and also in getting peaceful sleep at night.

During 6 to 9 months, if baby sleeps on his own, the chances are that he would sleep well for long stretches. So to make the habit of sleeping on his own, parents should not carry the child till he is deep asleep but should put down while his sleepy but not totally asleep. If the baby cries, he should be given some time to settle down instead of picking him up again.

If a child with proper sleeping habits, starts waking up again in the night, making him sleep little earlier than his usual bedtime might help in his sleeping undisturbed.

As the baby grows up, he starts sitting or standing up. If he gets up during night, he tried to sit or stand in his crib. But then he can’t change his position and doesn’t know how to lie down and go back to sleep. So during day or while playing, parents should teach babies to change positions from standing or sitting to lying back.