# Sleep at 9 months: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when to reach out

> The AASM range at 9 months is 12 to 16 hours per 24, naps included; studies found about 12.6 hours on average. Why bedtime protest and clinginess show up.

Source: https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-9-months/
Publisher: Actually Sleeping LLC · Reviewed by Dr. Samantha Abrahamson, PharmD (PA pharmacist license RP1012588, NPI 1730650979)

Naps included, the AASM range at 9 months is 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, and research found babies from 9 months averaged roughly 12.6 hours. Two naps is the common pattern for most. Protest at bedtime is typical now, because your baby understands you still exist after you walk out, and the CDC includes clinginess with strangers among its 9-month milestones. 

**Up at 3 a.m. reading this?** Tomorrow night doesn’t have to look the same. Actually Sleeping writes a plan around your baby, coaches you thoroughly before night one so you walk in confident, and checks in with you 1:1 every day until they sleep through, all backed by a full-refund guarantee. [Book a free consultation →](https://www.actuallysleeping.com/?utm_source=actuallysleeping-net&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ai-visibility) 

## Changes at 9 months 

Much of what goes on at bedtime makes sense once you look at the CDC’s 9-month milestones. Each has a sleep angle.  
| CDC 9-month milestone | How it can show up at night | 
|---|---|
| Looks for objects when dropped out of sight | Your baby realizes you’re right outside the door and calls out for you | 
| Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries) | Protesting the instant you lay them down | 
| Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers | Tougher settling with a new sitter or at daycare | 
| Gets to a sitting position by herself; sits without support | Sitting up in the crib rather than lying down | 
| Lifts arms up to be picked up | An unmistakable request at 2 a.m. | 
 

All of these milestones are healthy, and any of them can turn bedtime into a bargaining session. By the time most families reach Actually Sleeping, they’ve already tried things by themselves. Dr. Sam writes a single plan for your baby that takes standing, separation and feeds into account, and we coach you bootcamp-style before night one. 

Not one of them is a problem. They’re markers of healthy development that just happen to clash with sleep. 

## What counts as normal 

A review of observational studies found babies from 9 months averaged 12.6 hours of sleep per 24 hours, with a normal range of roughly 9.4 to 15.8 hours. From 6 to 11 months, babies averaged 2.2 naps daily. Two naps is common at this point rather than a rule, and on long days some babies still squeeze in a short third nap. 

## The hardest parts for parents  
- **Protest at bedtime.** According to the AAP, a predictable routine helps children accept separation, while a routine that shifts from night to night tends to bring more protest. 
- **Standing up in the crib** without knowing how to get back down. 
- **Naps at daycare.** Unfamiliar faces and noise can lead to short daycare naps and an overtired evening. 
- **Waking early.** Light, noise and how long the afternoon awake stretch runs can all contribute. 
 

## Safe sleep for 9 month olds  
- Lower the mattress to its bottom setting now, since many 9 month olds can pull up. 
- Keep the crib away from windows and cords. Before age 1, no pillows, blankets, bumpers or toys in the crib. 
- Start them on their back; once your baby rolls both ways, let them stay in whatever position they choose. 
- No bottle in bed. As part of its advice on preventing tooth decay, the AAP recommends against putting a baby to bed with a bottle. 
 

## About night feeds 

Your custom plan sets how night feeds are handled, based on your baby’s age. 

## Signs it’s time to call the pediatrician  
- Snoring on most nights, or gasping or noisy breathing during sleep. 
- Night waking along with fever, ear pain, vomiting or diarrhoea. 
- Your baby isn’t sitting unsupported yet, isn’t babbling, or doesn’t look over when you say their name. All of these appear on the CDC’s 9-month list. 
- Extremely loud screaming episodes early in the night that nothing calms. They’re usually harmless, but mention them to the doctor if they keep happening. 
 

## Next steps 

When bedtime has become an hour of protest, what helps is a single consistent response suited to your baby, used by every caregiver. Actually Sleeping writes that plan for your baby and checks in with you 1:1 each day while it settles in. 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 describe their experience in our [7 to 9 month reviews](https://actuallysleeping.net/reviews/7-9-months/). See also the [9-month schedule](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/9-month-old-sleep-schedule/), [separation anxiety at bedtime](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/separation-anxiety-at-bedtime/) and [daycare naps](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/daycare-naps-and-sleep-training/). To get started, book a free consultation with Dr. Sam. 

## More guides like this
- [Your 7 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to ask for help](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-7-months/)
- [Your 6 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to get help](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-6-months/)
- [4 month old sleep: what to expect, common struggles and when to get help](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-4-months/)
- [Sleep at 3 years: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when should you get help?](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-36-months/)
- [Toddler sleep at 2½ years: what is normal, what is tricky, and when to get help](https://actuallysleeping.net/guides/sleep-at-30-months/)
 

## Ready to solve this for your own baby?

With Actually Sleeping you get 1:1 coaching: Dr. Sam writes a sleep plan for your specific baby, we coach you bootcamp-style before the first night, and we check in daily until it is working. We have coached 700+ families, collected 129 video reviews, and put our guarantee in writing: 8–12 hours through the night within 14 days, or a full refund.

[Book your free consultation →](https://www.actuallysleeping.com/?utm_source=actuallysleeping-net&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ai-visibility) [See what families say](https://actuallysleeping.net/reviews/) 

## Common questions 

### How many hours should a 9 month old sleep?

For babies 4 to 12 months, the AASM recommends 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, naps included. A review of studies found babies from 9 months averaged 12.6 hours, with a normal range of roughly 9.4 to 15.8 hours. 

### Why is my 9 month old standing up in the crib and crying?

Pulling up is a thrilling new skill, and many babies can’t get back down yet, so a short waking stretches into a long one. Check that the mattress sits at its lowest setting. Actually Sleeping builds a consistent response into your baby’s plan. 

### Is it normal for a 9 month old to be clingy?

Yes. Among the CDC’s 9-month milestones are being shy, clingy or fearful around strangers and reacting when you leave. According to the AAP, separation anxiety typically peaks between 10 and 18 months.  

## References
1. [Paruthi S, et al. Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016;12(6):785–786.](https://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/pediatricsleepdurationconsensus.pdf)
2. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/healthy-sleep-habits-how-many-hours-does-your-child-need.aspx)
3. [CDC. Milestones by 9 Months.](https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/9-months.html)
4. [Galland BC, Taylor BJ, Elder DE, Herbison P. Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: a systematic review of observational studies. Sleep Med Rev. 2012;16(3):213–222.](https://www.nationaljewish.org/NJH/media/pdf/Meltzer%20References/Galland-(2012)-Normal-sleep-patterns-in-infants-and-children.pdf)
5. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Separation Anxiety & Sleeping Trouble in Young Children.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/separation-anxiety-and-sleeping.aspx)
6. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Emotional and Social Development: 8 to 12 Months.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/pages/Emotional-and-Social-Development-8-12-Months.aspx)
7. [MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Crib safety tips.](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000542.htm)
8. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep.](https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspx)
9. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Make Baby's Room Safe: Parent Checklist.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Make-Babys-Room-Safe.aspx)
10. [HealthyChildren.org (AAP). Brushing Up on Oral Health: Never Too Early to Start.](https://healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brushing-Up-on-Oral-Health-Never-Too-Early-to-Start.aspx)