Baby standing in the crib & Can’t Get Down: What to do?

Baby standing in the crib and cant get down? Congrats: Your baby has hit an exciting milestone—standing up! But now, bedtime has turned into a whole new challenge. If your little one is pulling up to stand in their crib and can’t figure out how to sit back down, sleep might suddenly feel like a struggle for both of you.

This phase is completely normal, but it can be frustrating when naps are shorter, bedtimes take longer, and your baby seems wide awake, practicing their new skill instead of sleeping. Let’s break down why this happens and how to guide your baby through this developmental leap while keeping sleep on track.

Why Is My Baby Standing in the Crib Instead of Sleeping?

A Big Developmental Leap

Standing up is a major motor skill milestone, usually happening between 9-12 months. It’s not just about balance—your baby’s brain is making huge cognitive connections about movement, control, and problem-solving.

💡 Think of it this way: Your baby just discovered they can pull themselves up—and they want to do it ALL the time, even when it’s time to sleep.

Sleep Disruptions Are Common at This Stage

Whenever babies learn a new skill, they often want to practice it non-stop—even in the middle of the night. This can lead to:

More frequent night wakings
Taking longer to fall asleep
Shorter naps

✨ Sleepystar Tip: This is temporary! Once your baby masters getting back down, sleep will return to normal.

How to Help Your Baby Through This Phase

Practice, Practice, Practice (During the Day!)

Your baby is standing at night because they haven’t quite figured out how to sit back down. The best way to speed up the learning process? Lots of daytime practice!

Let your baby stand during playtime and gently guide them into sitting by bending their knees.
Use toys to encourage movement—place a favorite toy on the floor so they instinctively reach down.
If they get stuck standing in the crib, help them learn how to sit instead of just picking them up.

Adjust the Crib for Safety

Now that your baby is pulling up, it’s time to lower the crib mattress to the lowest setting. This prevents falls and keeps your little one safe as they explore their new skills.

💡 Check the crib: Make sure there are no large gaps between the mattress and crib frame where your baby could get stuck.

Keep the Bedtime Routine Consistent

Even though this phase might bring extra wake-ups, stick with your normal sleep routine. This helps signal to your baby that nighttime is for sleep, not standing practice!

Dim the lights and create a calm environment before bed.
Stick to the usual bedtime schedule to maintain consistency.
If your baby stands up in the crib, give them a few minutes to figure it out before stepping in to help.

Avoid Turning It Into a Game

It’s tempting to laugh, clap, or interact when your baby proudly stands up in the crib—but this can backfire. If bedtime turns into „standing playtime,“ your little one may keep doing it just for fun.

✨ Sleepystar Tip: Keep interactions at bedtime calm and minimal. If you need to help them sit back down, stay quiet and use gentle touch instead of excitement.

Be Patient & Give Your Baby Time to Self-Soothe

If your baby stands up and cries, pause before rushing in. Give them a moment to try sitting back down on their own.

If they struggle, gently guide them down once—but don’t make it a habit.
Avoid picking them up every time—this can reinforce standing as a way to get your attention.
Encourage self-soothing—pat the mattress or sit nearby to reassure them without fully engaging.

💡 Remember: This is just a phase! In a few weeks, your baby will master sitting back down, and things will settle.

Key Takeaways: How to Handle This Sleep Disruption

✨ Daytime practice is essential—help your baby learn to sit back down.
✨ Lower the crib mattress to prevent falls and keep them safe.
✨ Stick to your usual bedtime routine to reinforce sleep expectations.
✨ Avoid too much excitement when they stand in the crib—stay calm and consistent.
✨ Give them space to figure it out before stepping in to help.

✨ This phase will pass! Once your baby learns to sit back down independently, sleep will improve again.

💤 Struggling with a bigger sleep regression? Let’s get sleep back on track! Book a consultation with Sleepystar Sleep Coaching and get expert, customized support for your little one’s sleep journey. 🚀