If you’ve ever put your baby down for bed, only to find them treating their cot like it’s playtime—rolling, standing, or throwing toys around—you’re definitely not alone.
It’s such a common phase, and while it’s adorable, it can also be frustrating when you just want them to sleep!
Maybe you’re wondering, “Why aren’t they tired?” or “Am I doing something wrong?”
The truth is, this playful cot behaviour is completely normal, and with a few tweaks to your routine, you can help your little one settle down more easily at bedtime.
So, if you’re struggling with a little one refusing to lie down, this blog post is for you so you can help your baby settle to sleep in their cot.
What’s Cot Settling, and Why Does It Matter?
Cot settling is all about helping your baby transition from play to sleep in their cot. It’s normal for babies—especially when they hit milestones like rolling or standing—to turn their cot into a mini playground.
They’ve learned these new skills and want to practise them! But that can make bedtime a bit of a challenge.
The idea is to guide your baby gently from this playful energy into a more relaxed state, so they can see the cot as a place for sleep.
Settling your little one to sleep is totally achievable with a few simple adjustments, like ensuring your baby’s ready for sleep and creating the right sleep environment.
Why Is Your Baby Suddenly So Active in the Cot?
All babies go through developmental bursts, which can cause sleep disruptions.
At around 6-12 months, they’re mastering new physical skills like rolling, sitting up, and standing. Naturally, they want to practise these skills—even when it’s bedtime!
One key factor is sleep readiness.
If your baby hasn’t built up enough sleep pressure—meaning they haven’t been awake long enough—they’ll still have energy to burn, leading to active cot playtimes or even refusal meltdowns.
But if they’re overtired, that can also mess with their ability to settle. It’s all about finding that sweet balance, so they’re sleepy, but not too sleepy.
Cot Settling in Action: What You Can Do
Let’s talk about some practical ways to make cot settling easier:
Step 1: Are They Really Ready for Sleep?
First things first—are they genuinely ready to sleep?
If your baby hasn’t been awake long enough before bedtime, they might not be tired enough to drift off.
As a general rule, babies around 9 months old can handle about 3-4 hours of awake time before they need to sleep at night. So, if they’ve only been awake for a short while, expect a bit more rolling and playing!
Try keeping an eye on how long they’ve been awake and ensure they’ve had plenty of active play during the day. The more energy they use during awake time, the easier it will be for them to settle when bedtime rolls around.
Signs Your Baby Might Not Be Ready for Sleep:
- Restlessness: If your baby is rolling around, kicking, or standing up in their cot, they might still have energy to burn.
- Delayed Onset of Sleep: If it takes a long time for your baby to fall asleep after being put down, they may not be fully ready.
- Frequent Night Wakings: Babies who don’t fall asleep easily might also wake up frequently during the night.
Step 2: Set Up a Calming Sleep Environment
The sleep environment plays a huge role in how easily your baby settles.
Set the tone for sleep by dimming the lights, using some white noise, and keeping the room at a cool temperature (around 18-21°C) to signal that it’s time to wind down.
Add familiar objects like their favourite blanket or a sleep sack for a little extra comfort.
The goal is to create a space that feels calming and secure, so they can relax and wind down before sleep. And if you need help getting the room dark, these blinds are my go-to Bilby Blockout Blinds.
Use THESLEEPINGCO to get 10% off and start getting the room perfect for sleep.
Step 3: Adjust Their Daily Routine
Sometimes, the key to improving your baby’s sleep lies in adjusting their daily routine.
If your baby is getting too much sleep during the day, they can be too energised when bedtime rolls around.
On the other hand, if they’re not getting enough sleep during the day, they might become overtired, which also makes it harder for them to settle down.
Signs Your Baby’s Daily Routine Might Need Adjusting:
- Difficulty Falling Asleep at Bedtime: If your baby is wide awake and active at bedtime, it might be a sign that their daytime sleep needs tweaking.
- Short Naps: If your baby is taking short naps during the day, they might not be getting the restorative sleep they need, leading to overtiredness.
- Inconsistent Sleep Patterns: If your baby’s sleep schedule is inconsistent, it could be contributing to bedtime challenges.
How to Adjust Your Baby’s Routine:
- Reevaluate Nap Times: Check if your baby is napping too late in the day. If so, try shifting naps earlier to avoid disrupting bedtime.
- Reduce Daytime Sleep Gradually: If your baby is getting more sleep during the day than they need, consider gradually reducing nap length. For example, if your baby typically needs around 12 hours of sleep in 24 hours but is getting 15, try shortening naps to build up sleep pressure for the evening.
Quick Tips for Cot Settling Success
Here are a few more tips to help your baby settle down in their cot:
- Head Outside During the Day: Make sure your baby has plenty of opportunities for movement and play during their wake windows. Crawling, walking, and exploring not only support their development but also help them tire out for sleep. If you can get outside, the extra boost of Vitamin D helps support the sleepy hormone, Melatonin, when it gets dark.
- Stick to a Bedtime Routine: Babies thrive on routines. A consistent bedtime routine—like a bath, story, and cuddles—helps them understand that it’s time to wind down. The more predictable the routine, the easier it is for them to shift from play to rest.
- Try a Sleep Sack: A sleep sack can help limit your baby’s ability to stand or roll in the cot. It keeps them cosy and encourages them to stay in a relaxed, lying-down position, making it easier for them to settle. If you’ve been using a sleeping bag with legs, give a sack a try!
- Stay Calm and Consistent: It’s tough when bedtime feels like a challenge, but staying calm and patient really makes a difference. Babies are sensitive to our emotions, so if you’re feeling stressed, they may pick up on it. Staying consistent with your approach—even when it’s tricky—will help in the long run. Co-regulation is key to guiding your little one to sleep.
Start Cot Settling Tonight
I hope these tips make cot settling feel a little less overwhelming. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your baby is ready for sleep and creating a calming bedtime routine.
With a little practice and patience, you’ll help your little one settle down for a peaceful night’s sleep. So, what do you think—ready to give it a try?
Grab Your Free Awake Time & Tired Signs Guide
If you’re ready to make bedtime smoother, grab your free Awake Time & Tired Signs Guide! It’s packed with a clear, easy-to-follow chart to help you understand your baby’s ideal awake windows and spot those early signs of tiredness.
From adjusting wake times to recognising when your little one is ready for sleep, this guide has everything you need to create a smoother bedtime routine.
Or if you are ready for step-by-step strategies and knowledge to make the best choices for your baby’s sleep—without the stress and second-guessing—check out one of my Sleep Essentials Guides for your little one’s age.
They are the essential A-B-C’s of baby sleep, so you can stop second-guessing and start feeling confident in your decisions that feel good for both you and your baby—no crying it out!
