Baby Fighting Sleep - Case Study

Meet Liam

Liam (name changed for privacy) was 10 months old when I started working with him. His schedule was unpredictable—naps and feedings had no structure—and bed/nap time was a constant battle. Every time someone tried to put him down, he screamed and fought hard.

Liam was also a very advanced baby. He crawled early, had lots of teeth already, ate plenty of solid food, and was growing fast. Since he was born two weeks late, that extra “baking time” seemed to show in his development.

His parents were exhausted. Even when I gave them tips, it was tough for them to stay consistent and read his cues closely. But since I was with him three days a week as their nanny, I started implementing some changes myself.

Step 1: Sleep Sack Adjustments

Once we ruled out medical concerns, I looked at his sleep environment. For Liam, I suggested trying a slightly snugger sleep sack to help him feel secure.

It worked somewhat—he eventually fell asleep when rocked—but he still screamed and resisted, which left caregivers drained. Clearly, this wasn’t the long-term solution.

Step 2: Schedule Adjustments

At first, Liam was on three naps with ~2.5 hour wake windows. Typically, babies his age transition from three to two naps. So, when he started resisting naps and taking short ones, I shifted his schedule down to two naps a day.

But that still didn’t fit. After observing him closely, I realized he was ready for just one long nap a day—unusual for 10 months, but exactly what his body needed.

Step 3: Encouraging Independence

Even on a better schedule, Liam still resisted rocking and the sleep sack. His parents often mentioned they thought the sack was too small since he fought it so much. That’s when it clicked: he wasn’t uncomfortable—he wanted independence.

So, I removed the sleep sack and placed him in his crib freely. Instead of rocking, I stayed by his side and read him some books.

At first, he cried, unsure what to do. But because I don’t use “cry it out,” I offered presence and reassurance. The first nap took 20 minutes, then 15. Now, I read three short books (about 5 minutes), sit nearby, and he falls asleep on his own.

The Results

The combination of the right nap schedule and encouraging independence changed everything:

• Day 1: He slept 1 hour (shorter, as expected due to adjustment).

• Night 1: Fewer night wakings, deeper rest.

• Day 2: He woke up happier and settled for his nap more easily.

• Nap that day: 2 hours 15 minutes—so much better than two 30-minute naps.

  
  

With consolidated rest, Liam was giggly, easygoing, ate well, and his overall mood improved dramatically.

Final Thoughts for Parents

When a baby fights sleep, it doesn’t always mean they need more help—sometimes, they need more independence. It’s easy to assume rocking or extra support is always best, but some babies are simply ready to fall asleep on their own.

The key is to listen closely to what your baby is showing you, not what we expect or wish for. In Liam’s case, letting go of the expectation of a “cuddly sleeper” and allowing independence made all the difference.

At Sono: Pediatric Sleep Solutions, I take a holistic approach—considering medical factors, the sleep environment, your baby’s behavior, and the family’s wellbeing—before creating a personalized sleep plan that matches both the baby’s needs and the parents’ values. Most importantly, I believe in listening to your baby, tracking their patterns, and learning directly from what they show us.