Sleep and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old

Though your baby is beginning to develop in so many positive ways, certain sleep problems may start to crop up as your child approaches the first birthday. These problems are often due to your baby's increased awareness of his or her "separateness" from you. Stranger anxiety and separation anxiety are two normal stages of development that typically occur during this time, and they can get in the way of much-needed nighttime sleep for you and your baby.

This may mean tears and tantrums when you try to leave your child in the crib at night - and more sleep interruption when your baby wakes up and looks around for some sign that you are near. This is also the age when Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: September 2005
Originally reviewed by: