"My 7-Month-Old Still Wakes at Night—Is There a Gentle Way to Help Her Sleep Longer?"
Understanding night waking, building trust, and supporting your baby’s sleep without cry-it-out
“My 7-month-old still wakes up 1–3 times a night. Is there anything I can do to help her sleep longer—without using cry-it-out? I already put her down awake for naps and bedtime, and she usually cries for a few minutes before falling asleep.”
– Heather, a loving and exhausted mama
Heather, thank you for asking such a thoughtful and relatable question.
You’re not alone—and your instincts are right on track.
Let’s unpack what’s happening, why it’s developmentally normal, and what you can do to gently support your baby’s growing sleep skills.
First—Night Waking Is Normal (Even at 7 Months)
Here’s something we don’t hear enough:
Waking at night is normal for all humans—babies included.
We all stir or shift in and out of sleep cycles throughout the night. The difference is, many adults know how to fall back asleep quickly and independently.
For babies, that’s a learned skill—especially if they’re used to falling asleep with help.
So when your baby wakes at 2am and isn’t sure how to get back to sleep without a feed, bounce, or cuddle… she naturally calls for you.
The goal isn’t to “get rid of” night wakings—it’s to support your baby in learning how to get back to sleep on her own when it’s appropriate to do so.
You're Already Doing Something Great
You mentioned that you’re putting your daughter down awake for naps and bedtime.
That’s a huge foundational step—because how your baby falls asleep initially often shapes how she expects to fall back asleep during night wakings.
If she’s learning to fall asleep without feeding, rocking, or prolonged intervention at bedtime, she’s also building the confidence and ability to try doing the same in the middle of the night.
This process takes practice, patience, and support—and sometimes, a little protest.
What About the Crying?
You shared that your baby often cries for a bit before falling asleep.
It’s okay.
Crying at this stage doesn’t always mean something is wrong—it often means your baby is tired, adjusting, or expressing frustration as she learns a new skill.
You’ve already met her needs. She’s dry, fed, safe, and loved.
In this context, her crying is not harmful. It’s communication.
And when you respond consistently, lovingly, and calmly—whether by being physically present or by giving her space to try on her own—you’re showing her that she’s supported and capable.
This is what respectful, responsive sleep support looks like.
How to Support Her Through Night Wakings
Here are some gentle, connection-based ways to help:
1. Pause Before You Go In
When she wakes, give her a few minutes to see what she does.
Is she escalating? Or settling back down?
Sometimes babies fuss or stir as they move through light sleep—and jumping in too quickly can interrupt that natural process.
2. Be Present Without Taking Over
If she continues to cry and you feel she needs support, go in calmly.
Sit beside her. Offer a reassuring phrase or gentle touch.
Let your presence reassure her—but resist the urge to “fix” it for her.
Over time, she’ll begin to link the comfort of your presence with her own ability to fall back asleep.
3. Trust Her Process
Your baby has already shown she can fall asleep on her own.
Now, you’re helping her learn that she can do it again—even when she wakes up at night.
This isn’t cry-it-out. It’s holding boundaries with love.
It’s letting her struggle a little—while knowing you’re right there to support her if she needs it.
You're Building More Than Sleep Skills—You're Building Trust
Every time you show up with calm consistency, you’re reinforcing something bigger than a sleep habit: you’re teaching your child that rest is safe, that struggle is manageable, and that you're her steady place to land.
That’s the kind of emotional foundation that lasts well beyond babyhood.
In Case You Need to Hear It Today…
You’re not doing it wrong.
Your baby is learning.
You’re allowed to want more sleep—and you don’t have to use harsh methods to get it.
This season takes time and support. But with your baby’s growing skills—and your presence and patience—sleep can start to feel more restful and less reactive.
And if you're ever unsure how to support your baby through night wakings, I’m here to help you find your next step—gently and respectfully.
📞 Book a free 15-minute consultation and we can talk through what’s happening and what might help.
You don’t have to navigate this alone—and it doesn’t have to be cry-it-out to work.
You and your baby are learning together—and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be.