Sleep at 10 months: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when to reach out

Changes at 10 months

The CDC includes pulling up to stand and walking while holding onto furniture among its milestones by 12 months. Plenty of 10 month olds already manage both, and a crib rail makes an ideal handhold. The AAP identifies the stretch from 10 to 18 months as when separation anxiety usually peaks.

Language is emerging as well. The CDC’s 12-month milestones include understanding “no” and calling a parent “mama” or “dada”. Once babies can call for you, they will.

Lots of babies learn to pull up well before they learn to get back down, so a short waking becomes a long one. Make sure the mattress is already at its lowest position before your baby learns to stand (AAP, MedlinePlus).

Standing protests are a common sticking point, since every response seems to drag the following night out further. Actually Sleeping gives you a single response suited to your baby, written by Dr. Sam, with bootcamp-style coaching before night one and daily 1:1 check-ins. We don’t use cry it out, and we don’t use wait it out.

What counts as normal

Across a review of studies, babies aged 7 to 11 months woke 1.1 times a night on average, and anything from 0 to about 3 wakings was within the normal range; babies aged 6 to 11 months averaged roughly 2 naps a day. A short-lived dip during a big motor leap is common. Total sleep stays stable: in that same review, babies from 9 months averaged 12.6 hours per 24 hours.

The hardest parts for parents

• Standing protests at bedtime that drag settling out to an hour.
• Short second naps or refusing naps altogether. A large review found that two-nap days fall off sharply between 12 and 18 months, so most 10 month olds aren’t ready for one nap.
• Waking early because daylight and noise rouse a lighter sleeper.
• Getting sick. Colds and ear infections frequently begin around daycare age and can reset sleep habits.

Safe sleep for 10 month olds

• Mattress at the lowest position, and the crib kept away from windows and blind cords.
• The crib stays empty: the AAP’s recommendations hold until the first birthday.
• Put your baby down on their back. If they roll or sit up, you don’t need to reposition them.
• Anchor any furniture near the crib so it can’t tip over.

About night feeds

Your custom plan sets how night feeds are handled, based on your baby’s age. Bring any concern about growth or feeding to your pediatrician.

Signs it’s time to call the pediatrician

• Snoring on most nights, gasping, or restless sleep with heavy breathing.
• Waking suddenly with crying that points to pain, particularly alongside a fever.
• As the first birthday nears, your baby isn’t pulling up yet or isn’t babbling.
• Repeated screaming episodes early in the night during which your baby doesn’t seem to be awake.

Next steps

The response that calms one 10 month old’s standing protests can make another’s worse, so a plan needs to begin with your baby’s temperament and the way they currently fall asleep. Actually Sleeping writes that plan and keeps coaching naps until they are solid. We guarantee that your baby will sleep 8–12 hours through the night within 14 days of consistent, correct implementation of your sleep plan. Parents share how things went in our 10 to 12 month reviews. See also the 10-month schedule, the 8 to 10 month regression and early waking. To get started, book a free consultation with Dr. Sam.