Sleeping FAQ: 6-9 Months – Other

My 8.5mth daughter has learnt to roll onto her front but she cannot get back again and so wakes up several times a night screaming

My 8.5mth daughter seems to be waking through the night because she has learnt to turn onto her stomach. But she hates this position and then screams as she can’t turn back over. This happened 8 times last night. What can I do about it?

Until your daughter learns to roll both ways with ease you may have to go in to her room at night and help her move onto her back. To help her be able to do this without needing your help, practice rolling backwards and forwards with her as much as possible, in the daytime.

Once you feel that she is able to roll both ways without your help leave her for a short while should she wake in the night, to see if she is able to settle herself. If you always go straight to her when she wakes she may begin to associate falling asleep again with you being there.

Once she does roll both ways with confidence allow her to find her own sleeping position. Once her rolling is well established try putting her down on her tummy for some of her daytime naps. Some babies come to prefer sleeping in this position when they are able to roll well.

If you use a sleeping bag which is very long you could try tucking the end of the bag firmly under the mattress and see if this stops her rolling over and waking herself so much. If you have not already started to use a sleeping bag it is advisable to do so once your baby is moving around at night. Providing it is of the correct tog for the time of year you should be able to take away all blankets or sheets you may have used for coverings. This will prevent the problem of your daughter becoming tangled in the bedding or waking through being cold, having kicked off her blankets.