Reply To: Challenges with baby’s sleep routine for 7 month old

[Emma H]

Hi Jaime,

Wow, he is standing up already! That is so impressive! I know it might be challenging for you, but I am very impressed!

Unfortunately, when they learn to stand up, it can make bedtime and naps a little challenging. But here are some strategies which might help:

1. Consistency is Key: Continue with a consistent bedtime routine. This consistency helps signal to your baby that it’s time to wind down and sleep, not play.
2. Leave the Room: After completing the bedtime or nap routine, if you’re happy to, lay him down, leave the room and complete the ‘Wait, watch, and listen’ step by watching the monitor. If he is tired, the room is dark, and you’re not there, he is less likely to stand up and more likely to fall asleep.
3. Use a Sleeping Bag: Sleeping bags can make it slightly more difficult for him to stand up, which might prevent him from doing so in the first place.
4. Help Him Lie Back Down: At this age, he might be unable to go from standing to sitting and then lying back down. So, lay him back down when he stands up without much interaction or stimulation. This will show him that it’s not playtime. If he can go from standing to lying back down, there is no need to help him.
5. Practice Going From Standing to Sitting to Lying During the Day: You might also practice the lie-down routine during the day, showing him how to go from standing to sitting to lying down. Once he learns how to do this, he will be able to do it independently when he stands up in the crib at night.
6. Patience and Persistence: It might take some time, but with patience and persistence, he should learn that bedtime and nap time are for sleeping, not for standing and playing.

I hope that helps!

Emma