Trouble getting 9 month old to sleep?

Question

My son is nine months old and has been very good at going to sleep on his own up until now. I could lay him in his crib when he seemed tired and he would just fall asleep. As he got older and learned to sit up, things became a little more difficult, and I would have to go into his room a few times to lie him back down until he finally fell asleep. He has recently started pulling himself up to a standing position and getting him to fall asleep on his own has become next to impossible. He gets up as soon as I lay him down, regardless of how tired he is. At first he gets excited, but eventually just starts crying. The past few nights I've let him fall asleep in my arms, just because it seems he'll never go to sleep on his own. Does anyone have any suggestions? Why is he doing this when he used to be so good at falling asleep on his own?

Answer 1

Why lay down when it is so much more exciting to stand up?  He has learned a new thing and is putting it to use; not good use in your opinion but use all the same.  If you have not done so already, take out the bumper pads so he will not use them to step on and lower the mattress to the lowest notch on the crib.  Establish a bedtime routine:  dinner, bath, book (rock, sing, etc.) in a low-light room, and then bed.  Be firm but loving.  This could take a little bit but when he learns that you mean business, he will sleep again on his own.  As long as he is not getting out or anything, let him cry a while.  Start with five minutes the first time before comforting him, laying him down again, and leaving, then 8 minutes, then 10, etc. until he falls asleep.  Do not make it play time.  It will work but you have to be consistent and firm (again, but loving).  Good luck!

Answer 2

Babies change as their awareness of the world around them becomes more robust.   Perhaps you've taught him to yank your chain by quickly and reliably responding to his crying - which you should do - I don't agree with the "let him cry it out" philosophy.  Babies cry when they're uncomfortable, lonely or frightened.  

When my son would do what you describe, I would do various things, including putting him in a wind-up swing bassinette, holding him until he fell asleep or I was able to figure out what was wrong (colic, wet diaper, diaper too tight, etc).   Yes, there were times when there was nothing obviously wrong with him, and I would let him cry for a while, and in all cases that I can remember, he always went to sleep within a few minutes.     If he cried much longer than that, I would repeat the above checks, etc., and if the crying went on after that, I would then start to become concerned.  

I worked with a guy whose baby cried for a long period one night - it was a warm summer night, and he and his wife, in an attempt to get some sleep, moved the baby to a small crib IN THE GARAGE where they wouldn't hear him cry.    When they went out in the morning, the infant was dead.  

They were charged with murder, but because they had three other children, were devout Mormons, had a totally clean record, lots of character witnesses, and were clearly devastated by their awful mistake, they were acquitted and allowed to keep their children.

Answer 3

Make sure you have a nighttime routine if you don't already. If he is really enjoying standing -- my boy loves "rattling his cage" -- it may just take awhile at first. Do your routine until baby is sleepy. Put him down. Most likely he will immediately stand up and get excited. Stay there and let him do his thing. Maybe talk or read to him. Take enough time where you think he is more tired than excited. Repeat the last part of your routine and try putting him down again. Just takes time. Let him play/stand in the morning.

Answer 4

My 8 month old daughter is the same way. She would fall asleep so good and now we would let her fall asleep in our bed and then move her. We would also rock her to sleep or even hold her. She rolls over and sits up and pulls herself up as well in her bed. We lowered her bed and we give lotion her up with chamomile and lavender that helps soothe her. It seems to help. Since she has allergies and it teething, we give her tylenol and benedryl and that helps, but hey it's not to make her fall asleep. As first time parents, you do ur best for whats best for ur child. I let my daughter watch Baby Einstien dvds and they help a lot. She loves the music and the colors and sounds. Listening to soft music thru the night will also help. Good luck.

Answer 5

milestones can really interupt sleep patterns. give it a lttle time and this will pass. remember that every week can change with a baby! hang in there...the novelty will wear off.

Answer 6

"Why is he doing this when he used to be so good at falling asleep on his own?"

Maybe now that he's older, the world is more interesting to him and thus falling asleep is less pleasant...

...and he wants his Mummy to give him cuddles.

The question here is why can't you let your son fall asleep in your arms? He is going to be a baby only just once, a little boy only very briefly. Get the cuddles in while you can, I say.