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My baby wakes up at night and wants to play, what should I do?

⚡ Short answer: Waking at night and going into play mode in 11-month-olds is actually more common than you might think.

Anonymous

11 aylık bebek annesi · Sleep

My 11-month-old wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to play cheerfully; how do I get him back to sleep?

Maiyko AI ADVISOR

The real reply from the in-app AI advisor

Waking at night and going into play mode in 11-month-olds is actually more common than you might think. This is often called "split nights" — your baby has gotten enough daytime sleep or met his total daily sleep need, wakes in the middle of the night with energy to burn for a few hours.

The key point here is that trying to "put him back to sleep" usually doesn't work because he's not sleepy, he's rested. Instead:

  • Keep the room dim and don't offer any toys or stimulating activities. Just stay nearby and tell him in a very calm voice "It's night, sleep time, we'll play in the morning."
  • Try to keep him in bed — don't pick him up and walk around. Staying calmly beside him and giving him time to fall back asleep is most effective.
  • If it lasts longer than 30-40 minutes, checking daytime sleep duration or times can be helpful — at 11 months most babies sleep 12-14 hours total, and night waking is often a sign of too much daytime sleep.

If this continues for 2-3 nights in a row, reviewing your daytime routine can help.

⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.

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