How to Get My 18-Month-Old Baby to Sleep Through the Night

One of the big challenges with early parenthood is figuring out a sleep schedule. Babies are naturally fussy, and frequently keep parents up at all hours of the night responding to every beck and call. By the time the baby is 18 months old, he should be old enough to adjust to a regular schedule. The adjustment process can be challenging, but it is possible to teach your 18-month-old baby to sleep through the night on a regular basis.

Things You'll Need

  • Flashlight

Instructions

    • 1

      Set a strict schedule. Lay your baby down in the crib at the same time every night, and have a nightly ritual of either story reading or a lullaby once he is in the crib. You want to do this before he falls asleep or is too drowsy because you want him to associate the crib with falling asleep. Do not allow the baby to sleep in the bed with you or else he will become dependent on you for his ability to fall asleep.

    • 2

      Limit your interference. If your baby wakes up crying, let him cry for at least five minutes to see if he can settle himself down and put himself back to sleep. If not, enter the room to soothe the baby, but only stay for a few minutes and only pick him up if absolutely necessary.

    • 3

      Avoid diaper changes in the middle of the night unless you have to. If a diaper needs to be changed because of a bowel movement or a rash, keep the lights off (use a flashlight instead) and do it as quickly and quietly as possible.

    • 4

      Eliminate nighttime feedings. Your baby should not require a feeding during the night by the time he reaches 18 months. At the very latest, he can be fed before you go to sleep but if he is in the habit of being fed overnight, he won't sleep through the night.

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