Is this normal?
Yes. Many babies still wake once or more at night between 6 and 9 months, even after they start solids. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes some babies can sleep longer stretches by 6 months, but normal still includes night waking for feeds or comfort.
The NHS advises that starting solids should happen around 6 months for nutrition and development, not to fix sleep. They also state that adding cereal to bottles or starting solids early does not help babies sleep through the night.
A 2018 BMJ Open review and other large studies have not found a reliable, meaningful improvement in infant sleep from introducing solids. Sleep consolidation is driven mostly by brain development, temperament, and consistent routines, not the timing of first foods.
Why night waking continues after starting solids
- Milk is still the main source of calories before 12 months, so shifting to solids does not suddenly boost nighttime fullness.
- Normal infant sleep cycles are short, and babies often need help linking cycles during the night.
- Developmental leaps, teething, separation awareness around 8 to 10 months, and new skills can increase night waking.
- Growth spurts temporarily increase calorie needs, and some babies take more calories at night out of habit.
- Tummy adjustment to new foods can cause brief discomfort if portions are large or new foods are offered right before bed.
What to try today
Keep milk first, solids second
For the next 3 days, offer breastfeeds 6 to 8 times or 24 to 32 oz of formula across the day, then offer solids 30 to 60 minutes after milk. This protects milk intake, which remains your baby’s main nutrition per WHO and AAP.
Pre-bed tank up, no cereal in the bottle
Tonight, run a calm 20 to 30 minute bedtime routine and finish with a full breast or bottle feed. Do not add cereal to bottles or push extra solids at bedtime. The NHS advises against cereal in bottles due to choking and overfeeding risk, and it does not improve sleep.
Spot patterns with a 3-night log
For the next 3 nights, jot down bedtime, wake times, whether you fed, and how long baby fed or how many ounces they took. Look for one consistently awake window to target first rather than trying to change all wakes at once.
Responsive settling before reflex feeding
For any wake that happens within 3 hours of the last full feed, try 5 to 10 minutes of soothing first, like a brief cuddle, shush, or a gentle pat. If baby ramps up or you suspect true hunger, feed. This keeps feeds responsive without creating a new pattern.
Gentle night-wean one feed at a time
If your baby is growing well and your pediatrician agrees, reduce one habitual night feed by 1 oz every 2 nights, or shorten a breastfeed by 2 to 3 minutes every 2 nights, then resettle. Hold any reduction if baby is ill, teething hard, or growth spurting.
Day calories and iron help
Today, offer one iron-rich food at lunch or an afternoon meal, like beef, lentils, beans, egg, tofu, or iron-fortified infant cereal, plus a vitamin C food to aid absorption. Avoid introducing brand-new foods right before bedtime to prevent tummy upset.
When to talk to your pediatrician
- Poor weight gain or weight loss over 2 weeks, or crossing percentiles downward on the growth chart
- Fewer than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours, very dark urine, or dry mouth and no tears
- Frequent forceful vomiting, blood or black stools, or persistent diarrhea after starting solids
- Loud snoring with pauses in breathing, color change, or labored breathing during sleep
- Night waking with fever for more than 3 days, plus reduced feeding and low energy
Frequently asked questions
Will starting solids help my baby sleep through the night?
Not reliably. The NHS and AAP emphasize starting solids around 6 months for nutrition and skills, not to fix sleep. Reviews, including a 2018 BMJ Open paper, have not shown consistent or meaningful sleep improvements from solids.
When do babies no longer need night feeds?
Many, but not all, babies can go longer stretches without feeding by about 6 months. Others still need one night feed for a while. Your baby’s growth, daytime intake, and temperament matter, so check with your pediatrician before night-weaning.
How should I time milk and solids during the day?
Offer milk first, then solids 30 to 60 minutes later. Before 12 months, breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition per WHO and AAP. Most 6 to 9 month olds take 24 to 32 oz of formula or 6 to 8 breastfeeds daily, plus 1 to 3 solid meals.
Is it safe to add cereal to the bedtime bottle to help sleep?
No. The NHS and AAP advise against adding cereal to bottles because of choking risk and overfeeding, and it does not improve sleep. Offer cereal by spoon as a solid if you are using it, and keep bottles for milk only.
My baby wakes more after starting solids. What can I do?
Offer smaller portions earlier in the evening and avoid brand-new foods right before bed. Watch for signs of intolerance like rash, vomiting, or blood in stool and call your doctor if they occur. Keep milk intake steady and use a calm, predictable bedtime routine.
Can I offer water at night instead of a feed?
Do not replace needed night feeds with water. After 6 months, small sips of water are fine during the day, but night water will not teach sleep and may reduce needed calories. If you are night-weaning, reduce feeds gradually with your pediatrician’s guidance.
How do feeding approaches fit with sleep work?
Use responsive feeding. The Ellyn Satter Division of Responsibility suggests you decide the what, when, and where of feeding, and your child decides whether and how much. Keep mealtimes calm, do not pressure bites, and avoid using solids as a sleep tool.
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