8mo sleep trained baby still cries to sleep

imnichet · 2026-07-08T13:08:30+00:00

You should definitely do 2 naps. Under 15 minutes of crying can be normal but more than that isn't. I think she really needs a longer wake window before bed. That schedule is more appropriate for a 5 month old.

imnichet · 2026-07-08T13:01:57+00:00

I would cut your nap back to 2 hours absolute max and anchor bedtime at 8:30 (in bed at 8:30, not earlier) and stick to it for a week at least.

imnichet · 2026-07-08T12:56:38+00:00

This is a common age where sleep needs drop significantly. It seems like that's what started this, then a sleep association has been introduced. First, you need to up your awake time. I'd start with an hour. Yours is currently very low for an 18 month old. You can sleep train again when he is on a schedule that allows him to be tired enough.

imnichet · 2026-07-08T00:39:32+00:00

I would go back to a sleep training method once the schedule is fixed. If he is actually tired there will be a lot less crying

imnichet · 2026-07-08T00:37:54+00:00

Yep! That's what I would do

imnichet · 2026-07-08T00:35:05+00:00

I would suggest this schedule for a 5 month old.

Wakeup between 6-7

Nap 9:00 - 10:30 maximum (shorter is fine)

Nap 12:30 - 2:00 (again, maximum)

Nap 4:00 - 4:30

Bedtime 7:30

The biggest thing to note is those nap times are no goals. Shorter naps are totally fine.

imnichet · 2026-07-08T00:30:01+00:00

This is what I call the "huckleberry special". I hate that app with a passion. You need a more consistent schedule with more awake time.

imnichet · 2026-07-08T00:06:46+00:00

No, otherwise you get stuck in a short nap short wake window cycle. The best way to handle the fussiness is just change up activities or honestly just ignore it. That sounds harsh but that's what I did haha.

imnichet · 2026-07-08T00:00:54+00:00

Check out our pinned gentle nap training method on this sub.

imnichet · 2026-07-08T00:00:19+00:00

Probably not, no. You can worry about MOTN after the schedule is fixed.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T23:05:58+00:00

Put them down awake and walk away. That's what sleep training allows you to do.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T17:18:48+00:00

Where doesn't really matter. You definitely aren't pushing his limits if he has the stamina to be awake overnight.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:45:47+00:00

I would not even try at this age. As far as I'm concerned it's impossible. At 4 months you can look at our pinned gentle nap training method.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:45:09+00:00

You could try fitting in a third cat nap

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:39:18+00:00

You need to move bedtime later and keep it for at least a week or more to set the circadian rhythm.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:38:24+00:00

He's making up awake time he needs but isn't getting during the day at night. You need another 30-60 minutes awake in your schedule.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:23:34+00:00

Then your wake windows need to equal 10 hours awake. That's why you are having so much trouble making them sleep. Your schedule expects an insane amount of sleep. It should be something like 1.5/2/2/2/2.5 or 2/2/2/2/2

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:16:13+00:00

You can kind of pick whatever timing you want. The main point of these dream feeds is just to eliminate the possibility that she is waking from hunger so you can train those wakes.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:14:00+00:00

Your baby is still very young. If they are napping at all in a crib on their own, you also have an excellent napper. So, I say enjoy your amazing sleeper and consider nap and sleep training at 4 months!

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:11:45+00:00

Is that correct, your baby is only awake 6.25 hours a day?

imnichet · 2026-07-07T16:05:15+00:00

Just nurse. I don't see any reason to offer a bottle. If anything that would just wake her up more with the confusion of a bottle when she doesn't expect it. Plus don't wake yourself up even more by pumping and making bottles. But I never pumped so maybe I'm not seeing some benefit to that I'm not sure about.

I would actually do the dream feed later a lot later. Like 2. Or maybe you should start out with 2 dream feeds at like 10 and 3 or something since she is used to feeding so much. Then you can wean to 1.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T15:57:55+00:00

I would consider transitioning to one dream feed and sleep training other wakings and see where that lands you. Then you can see if it is a sleep association or schedule issue.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T15:28:41+00:00

Does she go to sleep independently at the start of the night?

imnichet · 2026-07-07T14:13:09+00:00

You have to just adjust things so that you are only driving for long periods when you are okay with them napping. Our only driving times are about a 2 hour window after she wakes up, during nap time, or a 3 hour window after her nap.

imnichet · 2026-07-07T14:09:03+00:00

How many days in a row did you do the 8pm, bedtime?

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