Typical Sleep Behavior in Babies 6 to 12 Months

Grand Rapids, Michigan Guide for Parents

From around 6 months of age, your baby’s sleep patterns usually become more predictable. Many Grand Rapids parents notice that their baby starts to recognize the difference between day and night, even during our long winter nights and bright summer evenings.

As your baby learns to self-settle and go back to sleep on their own, they may not wake as often overnight. However, every baby in West Michigan develops at their own pace, and “normal” sleep can look very different from one child to another.

How Much Sleep Do Babies 6–12 Months Need?

Most babies between 6 and 12 months sleep about 10–14 hours in a 24-hour period. This usually includes:

  • A longer stretch of sleep at night
  • 1–2 daytime naps

From 6 to 12 months, many babies:

  • Sleep the longest stretch at night (often 6–10 hours, sometimes with brief wakes)
  • Nap about twice a day for 1–2 hours each

These numbers are averages. Some Grand Rapids babies will naturally sleep a little more, others a little less. If your baby is generally content, feeding well, and growing normally, their sleep pattern is likely healthy.

Daytime Napping Is Still Important

Why naps matter

Even as your baby starts to sleep longer at night, daytime naps are still important for healthy brain and body development. Naps help with:

  • Learning and memory
  • Mood and behavior
  • Managing stimulation (especially after busy outings, visitors, or trips around Grand Rapids)

Typical nap patterns (6–12 months)

Many babies in this age range:

  • Take 2 naps per day (morning and afternoon)
  • Nap for 1–2 hours each time
  • May start to shorten the late-afternoon nap as they approach 12 months

If your baby naps more or less than this but is happy and developing well, that can still be normal.

Separation and Your Baby (6–12 Months)

From about 6 to 12 months, many babies begin to show separation anxiety. They may:

  • Cry or protest when you leave the room
  • Want to be held more often
  • Wake more at night looking for you

This happens because your baby is learning person permanence – the idea that you still exist even when they can’t see you. They see you as the person who keeps them safe, so it’s natural for them to be upset when you go.

What this means for sleep

  • Your baby may take longer to fall asleep
  • Night wakings may temporarily increase
  • They may need more reassurance at bedtime and overnight

This behavior is normal and does not mean you can’t leave the room or that you are doing anything wrong. It simply means your baby is growing emotionally and needs a bit more comfort and consistency.

Reading Your Baby’s Tired Signs

By about 6 months, most Grand Rapids parents start to recognize their baby’s tired signs, such as:

  • Rubbing eyes or ears
  • Yawning
  • Staring or “zoning out”
  • Becoming fussy or clingy
  • Losing interest in play

Responding early to these signs with a calm, predictable sleep routine can make it easier for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Helpful Settling Strategies (6–12 Months)

Every baby and family is different. In Grand Rapids, parents use a variety of gentle, evidence-based strategies to help babies settle and sleep. You can choose what fits your values, culture, and comfort level.

1. Positive, consistent bedtime routine

A simple bedtime and nap routine helps your baby learn that sleep is coming. This might include:

  • Dim lights
  • Quiet play or a short story
  • Feeding (if part of your routine)
  • Bath (if calming for your baby)
  • Lullaby, rocking, or gentle cuddles
  • Placing baby in their crib drowsy but awake, if possible

Try to keep the routine similar each night, even during Michigan’s darker winter months or busy summer evenings.

2. Parental presence

Some parents find it helpful to use their presence as a safety signal:

  • Sitting or lying near the crib while your baby falls asleep
  • Gently patting or comforting them without picking them up every time
  • Gradually moving farther from the crib over days or weeks as your baby gains confidence

3. “Camping out” approach

“Camping out” is a gradual method where you:

  1. Stay in your baby’s room while they fall asleep
  2. Offer calm, minimal interaction (soft voice, gentle touch)
  3. Slowly increase the distance between you and the crib over time
  4. Eventually leave the room once your baby is settled and used to falling asleep more independently

4. Responsive settling

Responsive settling means you:

  • Respond to your baby’s needs (hunger, discomfort, fear, cold/hot)
  • Offer comfort (voice, touch, brief pick-ups)
  • Aim to support them to fall asleep rather than always feeding or rocking to full sleep

You can be both responsive and consistent. Over time, this helps your baby learn that sleep is safe and predictable.

Seasonal Sleep Considerations in Grand Rapids

Living in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, our cold winters and variable daylight can affect baby sleep:

  • Winter:

    • Keep the sleep environment warm but not hot (ideal room temperature around 68–72°F).
    • Dress your baby in layers and use a sleep sack instead of loose blankets for safety.
    • Dry indoor air from heating can cause congestion—consider a cool-mist humidifier if recommended by your pediatrician.

  • Summer:

    • Longer daylight hours can make it harder for babies to wind down. Use blackout curtains if needed.
    • Keep the room cool and well-ventilated; avoid overheating.

Year-round, aim for a quiet, dark, and safe sleep space, following safe sleep guidelines (on their back, in their own crib or bassinet, no soft bedding or pillows).

When to Track Your Baby’s Sleep

If you’re worried about your baby’s sleep and settling, it can help to track sleep for a week. Note:

  • Bedtime and wake time
  • Nap times and lengths
  • Night wakings (how often and how long)
  • How you respond (feeding, rocking, patting, etc.)

This can give you and your child’s healthcare provider a clear picture of what’s happening and what might help.

When to Seek Extra Help

Consider talking to a healthcare professional in Grand Rapids if:

  • Your baby’s sleep has suddenly changed and stays difficult for more than 1–2 weeks, despite trying different approaches
  • Your baby seems very hard to soothe, excessively fussy, or unusually sleepy
  • You’re worried about your baby’s breathing, snoring, or pauses in breathing during sleep
  • Sleep problems are affecting your mental health, relationships, or ability to cope day-to-day

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Baby Sleep Support

If you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep, you don’t have to handle it alone. Grand Rapids and Kent County have several trusted resources:

Pediatric care and family doctors

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health pediatric clinics – multiple locations across Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids pediatric and family medicine clinics
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health) family medicine and pediatrics
  • Mercy Health primary care and pediatric services in the greater Grand Rapids area

Your pediatrician or family doctor is often the best first contact for ongoing sleep concerns.

Public health and parenting support

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Offers support for parents of infants, including growth and development checks and referrals for additional services.
    • Website: search “Kent County Health Department maternal child health”

  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids

    • Can connect you to local family support and early childhood programs.

  • Local hospital parenting programs

    • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health may offer newborn and infant care classes, breastfeeding support, and parenting education, which often include information about typical sleep.

Mental health and family support

If your baby’s sleep issues are affecting your mood, anxiety, or ability to cope:

  • Ask your pediatrician or family doctor for a referral to:
    • A perinatal mental health specialist
    • A family therapist or counselor
  • Many Grand Rapids clinics offer in-person and telehealth mental health services for parents.

Multilingual and Accessible Information

Grand Rapids and Kent County are home to families who speak many languages. If English is not your first language, you can:

  • Ask your clinic or hospital (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health) for interpreter services for appointments.
  • Request written materials about baby sleep and development in your preferred language when available.
  • Use reputable national resources (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics) and ask your local provider to help you find versions in your language.

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Parents

  • Babies 6–12 months typically sleep 10–14 hours in 24 hours, with the longest stretch at night and 1–2 naps during the day.
  • Daytime naps are still important for healthy development.
  • Separation anxiety and more frequent night waking around this age are common and normal.
  • Gentle, consistent routines and responsive settling can help your baby feel secure and learn to sleep more independently.
  • If sleep problems persist or you’re worried, talk with your pediatrician, family doctor, or local public health services in Grand Rapids.

If you’d like, I can next help you turn this into a printable checklist or a simple sleep log you can use for your baby.