11 Month Old Not Sleeping Well! HELP!

My daughter is 11 months old too and has just finally started sleeping through the night. I've really concentrated on getting the calories in during the day, because she was waking up very hungry at night. She is now an awesome napper and nighttime sleeper. I have no idea if it has to do with anything I've done or not, but here's our schedule (as you'll see, she eats often, but she is really healthy so I'm just going with it):

5:30 Wakes up for the day and nurses (you could do milk, or whatever)
8:00 breakfast (fruit and cheerios or fruit and toast)
9:00-10ish nap
10:00 nurse
12:00 lunch (a veggie of some sort, some cheese or tofu or other protein, and crackers or noodles or some other starch)
2:00 nurse, then nap until about 4
4:30 snack (graham crackers, sippy of water)
6:00 dinner (a veggie and/or fruit, and usually some of what we're having-spaghetti, fish, quessadillas, whatever, plus she always gets a serving of whole milk yogurt)
7:00-7:30 bedtime (bath, jammies, story, nursing, singing)
Wow, when I write that down, she eats ALOT!! :)
Hope this helps!

We just went through a similar sleep problem with our 11 month old daughter. After re-reading a section of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, we realized that she was sleeping too much during the day and that was throwing her night time sleep off. We put her on the routine suggested in the book: 9 am first nap, 10:30 (at the latest) wake up, 1 pm second nap, 2:30 pm (at the latest) wake up, 6:30 pm bed time. It has been working like a dream. I don't know if this routine would work for you, but I highly recommend the book to help figure out the sleep issues. Best of luck!

I am a big supporter of schedules!!!! I think you should try and feed her meals at approximately the same time every day. It all depends on when she gets up, when she naps, goes to bed, etc., but you know, close to actual meal times. As far as what she should be eating, I'd stick with table food if she eats it. At this age kids will eat if they are hungry and will stop when they are full. As long as you're offering healthy things then let her eat as much as she wants. She will stop herself. She should have formula/breastmilk at mealtimes for sure and probably one before bed too. Since she's close to a year you can start her on cow's milk. I liked to mix it starting at 25% milk to 75% formula and go up each week. Do what works. My daugher didn't care one bit, but my son took a little longer. Other than that she can drink water, personally, I'd stay away from juice for now.

I would put her to bed at the same time every night, within about a 15-30 minute time period. I don't give my kids baths every night, but we do the same basic routine so even without a bath, their routine is consistent. They get one story ( I stay at home and we read all day, so for us one is enough) and then get tucked in. Kids need sleep to sleep. So putting her to bed later won't make her sleep later. My kids have basically slept from about 8 to 7 since they were less than 6 months old.

She may be crying not because she is hungry or tired but because she wants to be up and playing. That is why I feel a schedule is so important b/c even their young minds can grasp a routine. Good luck! Sleep issues are really hard b/c when you're not sleeping you can't think straight and that doesn't help anyone!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner with a snack in between both. Milk with
meals.

Waffles, pancakes, eggs, oatmeal for breakfast. Lunch can be grilled
cheese, maybe something left over from dinner. I make my own chicken
nuggets, mashed potatoes, any vegie. Dinner whatever you have.

How much should she eat. Each child is different. My grandson at 10 mos.
was eating prime rib, potatoes and asparagus. He eats anything. However,
he also lets you know when he is done! She should and probably is doing
the same. Very rarely will little ones overeat.

P.S. My son ate like a champ and was a horrible sleeper. Finally at 14
months he slept thru the night. Good luck.

Schedules are not for babies, but routines are. Do you respond promptly to her? When did you start her on baby food? Hopefully, no solids were introduced before 6 months, not even cereal. Do you leave her crying alone? Please do not ignore your baby. Babies cry when they need something, not to manipulate, so please respond promptly. Remember, this will all be a distant memory one day, so be sure to make the best of it now because it will fly by! My son was always a happy baby, and I know it is because I always responded immediately to his needs, so I always suggest doing the same. Hope this helps!