Going Out to Dinner with Kids While on a Sleep Schedule
Your 6-Month-Old’s Sleep: Common Challenges & Expert Advice
Generally considered an “ideal age” for sleep training, 6 month olds are typically at a healthy weight to sleep through the night, are eating some solids, and moving towards set nap times and bedtime. Because of these factors, this is a very common age for parents to seek the support of a sleep consultant as they work to shift night feed calories to the daytime, remove reliance on a parent to help fall asleep, and solidify a 2 nap schedule.
As with any age, taking a deep dive into ideal sleep schedules and considering what other factors might impact sleep can play an important role in making sure a child is rested.
How much sleep does my 6 month old need?
At 6 months old, many babies need 10-12 hours of overnight sleep while still getting 3-3.5 hours of daytime sleep, totaling anywhere from 13 – 15.5 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period..
Wake time between naps and bedtime is usually around 2.5-3 hours. At this age, many babies start to show signs that they are ready to transition from 3 naps to 2 naps. You might notice your baby not sleeping for that third nap, early morning wakings, or overnight sleep falling below the recommended 10 hours for at least 3-5 days in a row.
Sleep Wise Consultants often see overnight wakings at this age caused by a need for an adjustment in wake time before bed. Overnight wakings can also be caused by habitual wakings for overnight feeds.
Your baby is now moving through all 4 stages of a full sleep cycle including light sleep, deep sleep, and restorative REM sleep and will experience several sleep cycles each night. If your baby is receiving any assistance falling asleep at bedtime, they often will wake between sleep cycles looking for that same comfort.
Does my baby need a sleep routine?
Creating a bedtime routine guides your little one to know what to expect each night and signals that a longer stretch of sleep is coming! A bedtime routine does not have to be complex- keep it simple.
For a 6 month old, the first step of the routine will be the last feeding of the day. After this feed, go straight to bath time, or a wipe down if they don’t need a bath that night. Next, you can give baby a relaxing massage with lotion, then put on a clean diaper, pjs, and sleep sack. Take time to read a short book with your little one and enjoy those moments of connection before bed. Finally, lay baby down wide awake in the crib and say good night! It takes time for this process to become a routine, but remaining patient and staying consistent will help your baby learn what to expect at this time of their day.
What is a sample sleep schedule for a 6 month old?
Many babies at 6 months are ready to make the transition to a 2-nap schedule, with 2.5 hours of awake time before the first nap and 3 hours before the second nap. 6-month-olds typically need 3 hours of awake time again before bed.
7:00 Wake
7:10 Feed
8:30 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Nap
11:40 Feed
12:30 Lunch
1:45 Top Off Feed (if needed)
2:30-4:00 Nap
4:10 Small feed
5:00 Dinner
6:30 Feed, bath, PJs, read book
7:00 Bedtime
If your baby weighs over 15 lbs, it may be time to pull that nighttime feed as your baby could simply be waking out of habit at this point. At 6 months, it is appropriate to introduce solids, starting with breakfast and lunch and ideally working up to 3 meals a day by 7 months.
Why won’t my 6 month old sleep through the night?
At this age, there are a variety of reasons that could be causing overnight wakings, even if your child has independent sleep skills.
Independent Sleep Skills
If you notice your baby falling asleep and waking up not long after bedtime, it may be that your little one has entered the first phase of sleep in the hours prior to bedtime. When adequate sleep pressure has not been built, a child may have no trouble falling asleep, but staying asleep can be a challenge. Ensuring that your baby is wide awake during the hours prior to bedtime may help eliminate a waking that occurs shortly after they have fallen asleep.
Feedings
If your baby weighs at least 15 lbs, gets 24-28 ounces of milk during the day, and is still waking overnight for a feed at this age, it may be out of habit rather than hunger. A baby that is truly hungry in the night should have no trouble staying awake for night feeds!
EMW & Short Naps
Early morning wakings (EMW) and short naps may also face parents of 6 month olds. Check the sleeping environment for any light coming in or sound that may be waking baby up. Consider using blackout curtains and a sound machine to help prolong sleep during the early morning or daytime hours. Changes in awake time or adjusting your baby’s feeding and napping schedule may also help eliminate these wakings.
How can I improve my baby’s sleep?
Creating a sleep-conducive environment can make a tremendous difference in helping your baby fall asleep and stay asleep. An ideal sleep environment is dark, cool, and quiet. We recommend blackout curtains, lightweight cotton pjs and sleep sack, and a sound machine to block out ambient noise. Following a consistent schedule each day including awake times, regular feedings and naps all contribute to better overall sleep. Of course, there are times when flexibility is required, but prioritizing a bedtime routine for most nights gives your baby the chance to avoid overstimulation and prepare for a long stretch of asleep ahead. If you believe there may be medical issues preventing your child from getting rest, make sure to consult your pediatrician to evaluate possible solutions.
Without a doubt, sleep plays a vital role in your 6-month old’s health and development. Having a consistent schedule, bedtime routine and sleep environment all impact sleep in a positive way, but every child is unique, and you may find you need additional help in problem solving.
If you are ready to help teach your little one independent skills, but aren’t sure where to start, we are here for you. As a Sleep Wise team, we are equipped to provide 1:1 individualized support to help your baby and family get the restorative sleep you need. No more guesswork! Reach out to a consultant for a free evaluation call to discuss your child and how we can help.