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It is common for babies who have been in a good sleep routine to start waking again at night after having been in hospital – particularly between the ages of 6 to 9 months. Moms sometimes find themselves getting up several times a night to put the dummy in, breastfeed or make a bottle.
At this age your baby should be able to put his dummy in his mouth by himself if he wakes during the night, to soothe himself back to sleep. Attach the dummy to his clothes, in the centre of the topmost hem and add just enough ribbon or chain to reach his mouth.
When he wakes at night don’t put his dummy in for him but rather take his hand, direct it to the ribbon or chain, run it down towards the dummy and show him how to bring it to his mouth.
Preferably don’t offer a bottle or breast during the night if he has been weaned from night feeds. If he has a crying spell or temper tantrum, sit with him, calm him and then try the dummy again. It may take a few days to gently and consistently train your baby back into a sleep routine, but the whole family will sleep better for it.
