Sleeping FAQ: 18-24 Months – Night Waking

For the last six months, more often than not she (20 months) wakes during the night.

My daughter is now 20 months old. From around six months old, she slept from 7.30pm to 6.30-7am but for the last six months, more often than not she wakes during the night. It began during a period of illness but now she wakes up, sits herself up and cries out until someone comes to resettle her. She goes down beautifully at 7.30 but wakes once or twice after midnight. She usually settles quickly after a hug and a tucking in but it’s a real habit now. I’ve tried leaving her but no longer than thirty minutes.

I presume you are not using a sleeping bag? For several years now, I have been advising clients to use sleeping bags for their babies from around the age of six months so that there are no blankets to kick off. This stops babies getting cold ? and also restricts toddlers from getting up and out of their cots. Try one – and as your daughter is older, I also suggest getting a toy one for her dolly. For the first night or two you may also have to leave a very lightweight sheet across her so the loss of the blankets isn’t so obvious.

I would also suggest that when you put her to bed, if you are not already doing so, put her into the cot standing up and encourage her to lie down by herself. Once she as learned to do this, you should encourage her to do the same in the middle of the night.

If all of this advice fails it may be a case of doing controlled crying if you can’t cope with getting up twice a night. Because it is not a severe association sleep problem I’m sure you could solve it in a few nights. However, it is important that she has a medical check-up before you attempt controlled crying and that you have discussed with your health visitor or read one of the many books available on how to do controlled crying properly.