đź«ŁStanding in the cotđź«Ł
Agh, the annoying phase that I am going through with you right now with my 16 month old!
It’s completely normal for babies to go through a phase where they constantly pull themselves up to stand in the cot — often right after they’ve learned how. While you can’t (and shouldn’t) stop the developmental urge, you can manage it so it doesn’t disrupt sleep too much.
Here’s how to help your baby:
đź’¤ 1. Practice standing during the day.
* Give your baby lots of floor time to practice standing, cruising, and sitting back down.
* Teach them how to sit down from standing — this is key. You can gently bend their knees and guide them to sit so they get used to the motion.
đź•“ 2. Give it time
* This phase is developmental and usually temporary (a few weeks).
* As they master standing and sitting independently, the novelty wears off and sleep returns to normal.
🌙 3. Stick to the routine
* Keep a consistent bedtime routine to signal that it’s time to wind down.
* Even if they’re standing in the cot, keep things calm and avoid turning it into a game.
đźš« 4. Avoid picking them up every time
* If they’re not upset, give them some time to figure it out on their own.
* If they get stuck standing and cry, go in and gently help them sit down, say a few calming words, and leave or stay with a gentle hand on them.
🛏 5. Check the sleep environment
* Make sure the mattress is at the lowest cot position so it’s safe for them to stand.
⏳ 6. Be patient
* This is part of how babies learn and grow — it’s frustrating but also a good sign of development.
* Most babies move past this stage in 2–4 weeks. I should say my 16 month old still does it from time to time and when he wakes in the morning he stands and doesn’t sit back down. It’s just something we have accepted!
If you are struggling with your child’s sleep, please do reach out and get in touch and see how I can help you ❤️
