Methods at 9 Months
All structured methods work at 9 months. Ferber remains the most popular. CIO is effective if separation anxiety is causing check-ins to backfire. The Chair method is a good fit for anxious babies who need reassurance that you're nearby.
The 8-10 Month Regression
A developmental regression around 8-10 months often disrupts sleep even in previously trained babies. Crawling, pulling to stand, cruising, and language development all converge. If your baby suddenly starts waking at night or fighting sleep after weeks of doing well, this is likely the cause. Stay consistent with your method and the regression typically resolves in 2-3 weeks.
Adapting for Standing
- Most 9-month-olds can pull to stand and many get stuck standing in the crib.
- Practice sitting back down from standing dozens of times during the day.
- During sleep training, lay your baby down once when you check in. Do not keep laying them down repeatedly.
- Some babies will stand through their entire protest and then collapse asleep. This is okay.
If your baby has been sleep-trained and the regression is causing setbacks, don't abandon your method. Treat it as a re-training: be consistent for 3-5 nights and the skills come back.
Night Feeding at 9 Months
Most healthy 9-month-olds do not need night feeds from a nutritional standpoint. If your baby is still feeding at night, talk to your pediatrician about whether it's habitual or nutritional. Habitual night feeds can be reduced gradually alongside sleep training.
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