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How much sleep is normal and how do I deal with sleeping problems?

At nine months your baby will sleep an average of 14 hours per day. 11 or 12 of these hours may be at night, and naps may last around an hour each, twice a day.

At twelve months your baby may sleep a little less. 13–14 hours total during the day is normal. Naps may become longer, but will happen less often. For instance, some babies give up the morning nap for a longer nap in the afternoon. 11–12 hours of sleep may still be taken during the night.

How can I teach my baby to go back to sleep?

All babies wake at night, so don’t worry if it’s happening, it’s very normal. However, the most important thing to do is to manage your child’s expectations of what will happen when they come awake during the night.

If the experience is rewarding, stimulating and pleasant they’ll want to repeat it over and over again, and you’ll find yourself trapped in a cycle of sleeplessness with your baby.

Keep the night-time experience of waking up as boring as possible. Keep the lights dim, try not to speak or coo over your baby as this will engage his attention and make him even more wakeful.

Don’t change your baby’s nappy unless it’s very wet or soiled. If he’s really genuinely hungry feed him and keep him warm, relaxed and close to your body. Wind him and tuck him in. Leave the room quietly.

How can I teach my baby to sleep through the night?

There’s no immediate cure for your baby’s sleep problems aside from time, patience and consistency of approach. These problems are very common, so it’s worth asking for some help and advice from your public health nurse.