1-year-old sleep challenges: How to support your baby through the 12-month sleep hurdle
So, your baby is turning one
You might be thinking: "Surely, by now, sleep should be sorted, right?" Well, not exactly. While the big milestone of your baby’s first birthday brings plenty of excitement, it can also bring new sleep challenges. One-year-olds are at a complex stage of development, and society’s expectations around sleep at this age can often leave many parents feeling confused and exhausted.
This is one of the trickiest sleep phases, and it’s made even harder by society’s expectation that your baby should be sleeping through the night by now. The pressure to meet that milestone can feel overwhelming. This period isn’t just tricky - it can be downright exhausting! After a year of broken sleep, it’s completely normal to feel drained and frustrated.
From the media to well-meaning family members, the message seems to be clear: a "good" baby sleeps all night long, and if yours isn’t, something must be wrong. But here’s the thing: waking in the night is completely biologically normal for babies, even at 12 months. And it’s not just about hunger anymore.
The developmental storm around the first birthday
One-year-olds are busy little people! Between cruising, walking, and tackling new skills, their brains are in overdrive. For example, if your baby is teething or experiencing separation anxiety (which often makes a comeback around this age), it’s no surprise that their sleep might be affected. Not to mention, starting childcare or changes in routine can add to their emotional load.
Another common issue at this age is that some babies may begin resisting one of their two naps, making it seem like they’re ready to drop to just one nap a day. However, most babies still need both naps at this stage, so it can be tricky to manage. The key here is flexibility - rather than focusing on when and where naps happen, just aim to make sure they do happen - whatever that might take - pushchair, contact - all naps count!
What the research says about night wakes
Contrary to the popular belief that all 12-month-olds should sleep through the night, research shows that waking at night is still quite common. In fact, one study found that, on average, 12-month-olds wake 1.8 times a night (Brown & Harries, 2015), and only about 50% of them sleep through (Goodlin-Jones et al., 2001). Despite this, there’s often a taboo around admitting your baby wakes up at night - many parents fear judgment or criticism.
So, if you’re in this situation, know that you’re not alone, and your baby’s sleep patterns are completely normal for their stage of development.
Practical tips for navigating the 12-month sleep hurdle
Here are some practical strategies to help you through this phase:
Offer lots of connection
Quality time with your baby throughout the day can reduce the need for night-time reassurance. A little extra connection can go a long way toward easing separation anxiety and promoting better sleep.
Encourage new skills
Babies are mastering loads of new skills around this time, like walking or talking, so giving them plenty of opportunities to practice during the day may help reduce night-time restlessness.
Be creative with naps
Your baby may start resisting one of their naps, but they probably aren’t ready to drop to just one yet. Be flexible with naps and focus on them just happening wherever and don’t expect a fixed schedule whilst you’re riding this sleep storm!
Capping morning naps
f your baby is fighting the second nap, try capping the morning nap to create more sleep pressure for the afternoon nap. That way hopefully you’ll have a more emotionally regulated little one as bedtime approaches!
Support their needs without worrying about 'bad habits'
If your baby starts waking at night again, don’t panic. It’s common for children to need extra support during certain phases. Remember, by responding to your baby’s needs, you’re showing them that you’ll always be there when they need you, helping them build trust and confidence in you. See it as you meeting their needs where they are right now. You are not creating ‘bad sleep habits’ (they don’t actually exist!)
Sleep is not linear
I know I say this A LOT but sleep is fluid, with peaks and troughs. Like us, babies’ sleep needs change over time. Just because your baby is waking now doesn’t mean they always will - this is a phase, and it will pass. However, if it’s feeling overwhelming or unsustainable, do reach out for support - you don’t have to struggle on alone.
Yep, it's another phase!
The 12-month sleep hurdle can be tough, there’s no doubt about it. It’s easy to feel like you’re doing something wrong, especially when society places so much pressure on having a baby who sleeps through the night.
It can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and yes, exhausting - but try to remind yourself that phases like these will pass. Sleep might not be perfect, but it will get easier.
However, if the current situation is not sustainable, you’re not failing. All babies are hard work, but some are harder than others, and the amount of support you have (or don’t have) plays a significant part. So please, reach out for help - it’s not being weak, it’s being brave. You don’t have to do this alone, and asking for help is a powerful step toward better sleep for both you and your baby.
Looking for more support?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of the next steps, I’d love to help. Whether it’s through 1:1 coaching tailored to your family’s unique needs or a comprehensive sleep guide filled with gentle, practical strategies, there’s a solution for you.
Work 1:1 with me to create a plan that fits your baby’s personality and your parenting style. Click here to find out more
Prefer a self-paced approach? Check out my baby sleep guides, designed to help you navigate this tricky stage with confidence. Click here to explore my guides.
Better sleep for you and your baby is just a step away!
