When a baby who “used to nap fine” suddenly fights naps and bedtime around 9–10 months, it can feel like everything you built is unraveling. In many families, this phase lines up with rapid development, shifting sleep needs, and new sleep associations. The goal of this post is to map common patterns and offer practical, low-risk adjustments—without treating any single approach as a universal fix.
Why this change often shows up around 9–10 months
Around this age, many babies are practicing big new skills (pulling to stand, cruising, crawling faster, babbling more, object permanence). Sleep can look “worse” not because a baby suddenly needs less rest overnight, but because their brain is doing more—especially at transitions: falling asleep and resettling between sleep cycles.
Another common ingredient is separation awareness. A baby may tolerate being put down drowsy at 6 months, then protest intensely at 9 months, even if the bedtime routine hasn’t changed.
This phase is often interpreted as “my baby doesn’t need naps anymore,” but at 9–10 months most babies still require substantial daytime sleep. The bigger question is usually timing, consistency, and how they are helped to fall asleep—not whether naps are “done.”
What to check first: health, comfort, and environment
Before changing schedules or sleep methods, it helps to rule out simple disruptors. Some are temporary; others merit a quick check-in with a clinician.
| What to check | What it can look like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Teething discomfort | More waking, chewing, fussiness when laid down | Discomfort can make settling harder, especially at the start of sleep |
| Ear/nasal congestion | Worse sleep when lying flat, frequent waking, pulling at ears | Pressure or blocked breathing can fragment sleep |
| Hunger or feeding shifts | Earlier waking, shorter naps, increased night feeds | Rapid growth and new solids can temporarily change intake patterns |
| Room conditions | More waking in early morning, difficulty settling | Light, noise, and temperature can become more noticeable with age |
| Routine disruptions | Travel, visitors, missed naps, daycare transitions | Overtiredness and inconsistency can compound resistance |
If you want a conservative baseline for safe sleep setup and environment, a solid starting point is the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidance. For practical parent-facing education, HealthyChildren.org also covers common infant sleep concerns in plain language.
Schedule factors: wake windows, nap length, and bedtime timing
“Resisting sleep” can be a sign of being under-tired (not enough time awake) or overtired (too much time awake). The tricky part is that both can look similar: crying at bedtime, short naps, and multiple night wakings.
How timing problems commonly show up
| Pattern | What parents often notice | What it might suggest |
|---|---|---|
| Long bedtime protest + short night | Fights sleep 30–90 minutes, then wakes early | Bedtime may be too late, or baby is overtired from the day |
| Short naps (20–40 minutes) all day | Wakes upset, hard to resettle | Wake windows may be too long, or sleep association changes are needed |
| Refuses second nap consistently | First nap is long; second nap becomes a battle | May need a slightly later first nap, a shorter first nap, or an earlier bedtime |
| Frequent night wakings after midnight | Seems restless, wants help repeatedly | Total daytime sleep or late naps may be pushing sleep pressure later |
Many 9–10 month olds are still on two naps, but the windows between sleep periods often expand compared with earlier months. Small changes (10–20 minutes) can have a bigger effect than dramatic overhauls.
Nap length and late-day sleep
Long afternoon naps or naps that end too close to bedtime can reduce sleep pressure at night. On the flip side, a very short or skipped last nap can trigger overtiredness and lead to a “second wind.” If the second nap is collapsing, some families do better temporarily with an earlier bedtime rather than forcing a long late-day nap.
If you’re looking for a general overview of children’s sleep needs by age, the Sleep Foundation’s age-based ranges can help frame expectations (ranges vary, and individual needs differ).
Sleep associations and “power struggles” at the crib
A common turning point at this age is that babies become more aware of the exact conditions under which they fell asleep. If they consistently fall asleep with a very specific set of supports (rocking to fully asleep, feeding to sleep, a parent staying in the room), they may signal for those same supports when they partially wake between cycles.
This does not mean those supports are “wrong.” It simply means they can become part of the baby’s expected pattern. If the current pattern is no longer working for your household, the most sustainable changes are usually gradual and consistent rather than sudden and unpredictable.
A helpful lens: instead of asking “How do I stop the crying tonight?”, ask “What do I want bedtime to look like in two weeks, and what is the smallest, repeatable step toward that?” Consistency often matters more than intensity.
Practical strategies that tend to be low-risk
Make the routine predictable (and short)
Many babies settle better with a routine that is consistent in order and duration: a quick feed (if applicable), diaper, sleep sack, dim lights, brief song or book, then into the crib. Overly long routines can accidentally become stimulating or create more opportunities for negotiation.
Protect the sleep environment
Darken the room for naps and early morning; manage white noise if it helps mask household sounds; keep temperature comfortable. As babies become more mobile, make sure the sleep space remains safe and uncluttered.
Adjust timing in small increments
If you suspect under-tiredness, try pushing the next sleep by a small amount for a few days. If you suspect overtiredness, try pulling bedtime earlier and preventing the day from stretching too long. Track outcomes for several days rather than judging from one rough night.
Offer a consistent response to protests
Families use different comfort approaches (staying nearby, brief check-ins, picking up and putting down, or other responsive settling methods). What tends to help is choosing a plan you can repeat calmly and predictably. Rapidly switching approaches night-to-night can increase confusion for some babies.
When naps are refused, prioritize recovery
If a nap fails, consider a quiet reset: low stimulation, dimmer light, and an earlier bedtime. One missed nap can ripple into the next day, so the recovery plan matters as much as the immediate nap attempt.
For broader child sleep and bedtime routine guidance written for caregivers, the UK NHS resources on helping babies sleep can be a practical reference point.
Note on personal experiences: Many parents report that this stage improved after they made modest schedule tweaks, simplified the routine, and stayed consistent with how they responded at bedtime. That said, this is individual experience and cannot be generalized; temperament, feeding, daycare schedules, and health factors can change what works.
When to talk to a pediatric clinician
Sleep disruption alone is common, but it’s worth seeking medical input if you notice signs that suggest discomfort or illness, or if sleep changes are abrupt and persistent alongside other symptoms.
- Fever, persistent cough, wheezing, or labored breathing
- Signs of ear pain, significant congestion, or recurring vomiting
- Poor weight gain, feeding refusal, or dehydration concerns
- Loud snoring with pauses in breathing, or frequent choking/gasping sounds
- Sleep is deteriorating and you feel unsafe due to extreme exhaustion
If you need immediate safety guidance around sleep positioning and safe sleep practices, refer to the CDC resources on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep and your local pediatric health service recommendations.
Key takeaways
Around 9–10 months, nap and sleep resistance often overlaps with developmental leaps, separation awareness, and shifting sleep timing. Rather than chasing a single “perfect” schedule, it can help to:
- Rule out discomfort and obvious environmental disruptors first
- Make timing adjustments gradually and observe over several days
- Keep the bedtime routine short, predictable, and calming
- Choose a comfort approach you can repeat consistently
- Use early bedtime as a recovery tool when naps fail
None of these guarantees a smooth night immediately, but they can create clearer signals for your baby and reduce the “randomness” that fuels resistance. If something feels medically off—or your family’s sleep situation becomes unsafe—professional support is appropriate.
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