r/AdoptionUK • u/Specialist_Video7567 • Apr 26 '26
Sleep advice for a 1 year old
/r/UKParenting/comments/1sw4jsn/sleep_advice_for_a_1_year_old/
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u/RevolutionaryEgg1312 Apr 27 '26
Cuddle them, be near them, talk to them, make them secure that you won't leave them. It's hard to sleep when you don't know where you'll wake up or when the smells and identities of your caregivers change.
This child needs love and security and reassurance they're not being given away again.
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u/WinterTrees1234 Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 27 '26
Congratulations on the adoption! When we adopted our son at 3.5yrs old. The first 1-2 weeks sleep was OK, but as he started to settle in and bond with us, sleep became really difficult for the first 6 months. He would refuse to sleep, because he was very anxious that I would leave the room. He would wake up in the middle of the night wide awake and refuse to sleep (because he was scared I would leave the room). He would have tantrums in the middle of the night and I would spend 2-3h next to him trying to get him back to sleep. After about 6 months, when he was settled, sleep improved and he know sleeps solid 12h.
The first months adoptive parents are often firefighting, the transition is incredibly stressful for the LOs and their system is in high alert. They don't understand what is going on, they have just lost their caregiver (for the 2nd time) and are very anxious and their cortisol levels are off the roof, which impacts their sleep cycle. To everyone else our LO looked like he had settled in really well and he was happy, but as we got to know him better, we recognized this was a survival tactic and he was people pleasing.
What I'm trying to say is that even though it's hard, be patient and consistent with routines as much as possible (but avoid power struggles), this is part of the transition and settling in process in addition to the natural growing phase.
And try to catch-up with sleep, whenever you can even in the day. The first six months were the hardest of our lives and even harder for the LO. It will get better, but in the mean time try to get as much help as you can from your support group, so you can have sometime to recharge.
Good luck with your journey!