How to Help My 10 Month Old Fall Asleep by Herself
Your 10-month-old baby is capable of sleeping through the night without a feeding, says the Baby Sleep Site. She should be sleeping for approximately 11 to 12 hours per night with two naps during the day lasting between 1 and 2 hours. Sleep is crucial to your baby's development, so it is imperative you get her into a healthy and workable routine at this age that encourages her to fall asleep by herself and effectively sleep through the night.
Instructions
Give your baby the chance to fall asleep by himself, says the Baby Centre. If you never allow him to fall asleep on his own without you rocking, cradling or feeding him until he falls asleep, he will not learn to settle himself. Put your baby in her bed when she is sleepy but still awake so she can get used to falling asleep on her own in that environment. If she has fallen asleep anywhere other than her bed, such as in your arms during a feeding, gently wake her before bedtime so that you can do this, advises the Baby Centre. Sit beside your baby's bed while he falls asleep. Gradually, over the course of several nights, work your way toward leaving the room immediately, perhaps by sitting in the middle of the room and then next to the door. You can also teach your baby all at once and leave the room as soon as you put him down. Hover outside the room and check on him occasionally until you are both comfortable with this routine. Establish a consistent bedtime schedule, says the Baby Sleep Site. This will help help your baby to feel more secure and will also help set her internal clock so that she will become sleepy and ready for bed at predictable times. Maintain a bedtime routine. Give him his last feeding at approximately the same time every evening and follow up with soothing activities such as a warm bath, a bedtime story, a lullaby and then a kiss and a cuddle goodnight. Aim to put him in his bed at the same time each night. This way, he will be drowsy and ready to fall asleep without the need for your presence. Keep to a routine during the day, too, says Baby Centre. Babies thrive on consistency; if her naps and feeding times are sporadic, she will have more trouble sleeping through the night. Your baby should have two naps a day, at roughly the same times each day, that last for no more than 2 hours each. Too much sleep during the day could cause restlessness during the night that will make her more likely to cry out to be comforted and settled by you.
