In this phase we often have six or seven awakenings per night. Adults don't often notice this because they immediately go back to sleep. In contrast small children often can't get back to sleep because their sleeping conditions have changed, for example, the absence of the dummy, the mothers arm, her voice, the baby bottle etc. Children who normally sleep alone in their beds only rarely have sleeping problems. In truth they actually wake more often but because being alone is their normal pre-sleep condition they go straight back to sleep with no outside help.

Caution!

• For babies up to six months old: they still don't have any fixed sleeping pattern, so the Ferber method cannot be used. However in the first week you can introduce a later evening meal. Wake your child up regularly, before you yourself go to bed and give them a big drink. You can also gradually extend the time between mealtimes.

• If the baby cries all the time during the day, it means they need a comphrehensive daily routine. You should be able to avoid having to continually calm your baby. From time to time give your baby a few minutes to calm itself down.

• Within six months the baby will have learnt to tell the difference between night and day. Their sleep pattern will be similar to an adults. They can quite happily sleep for 11 hours and no longer need a drink at night.

• Fixed bed times are the best sleeping aid and older babies adapt best when they wake up in their own bed every time.

• Up until the end of the first year babies need a morning and afternoon sleep. The longest period spent awake should always be in the evenings before they go to bed.
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• If your child wakes up and won't sleep in their own room use the "door open-door closed" method.  This is controlling the child through their behaviour. If the door is open they stay in bed but if the door is closed for a short time then they will get up.

• Source: Kast-Zahn / Morgenroth: 'Every child can learn to sleep'.