9 month old fighting sleep

QUESTION:
My son's 91/2 months old. He used to sleep pretty well at night and used to fall asleep easily but recently he struggles to fall asleep by himself and cries for ages before eventually falling asleep. He'll then wake for a feed during the night and then battle to fall asleep again. He never used to struggle so much. He is teething at the moment. His first two bottom teeth have popped out. I give him pamol to help soothe the pain and discomfort, but he still struggles to fall asleep. My partner and I have been trying to leave him to cry it out and then check on him periodically. I just don't know what to do any more!!!!

ANSWER:

There are five possible reasons at this age. Herewith in order of probable cause for your sleep problem:

1. Day sleep change - At nine months of age all babies start to shift their day sleep requirements. Until 9 months, most babies are having three day sleeps. Although your little one probably needs all three sleeps, they can no longer be fitted into a 12 hour period and still allow him to fall asleep at bedtime with ease. I suggest you drop the 4ish sleep. So he has only a 9 and 12 sleep. He will have to push through to 6pm without a nap and if he is dog tired, only a catnap. In this way, he will fall alseep with greater ease at bedtime and probably sleep better to.
2. Habits - Habits and the 9 month old are a serious issue. He must fall asleep independently - i.e. not on a bottle, breast or being rocked to sleep at bedtime. 
3. Separation anxiety - Between 8 and 10 months babies experience separation anxiety. To help him cope, play separation games such as peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek. It is essential he has a 'doodoo' blanky to use to settle to sleep.
4. Nutrition -  A full diet of all vegetables, starches and proteins are important now. Many parents hold back on proteins for fear of allergies but this is incorrect and in fact can cause more issues later. Ensure he has 2-3T of protein with each meal.
5. Teething - As you have pointed out, your little one may be teething but actually this is low on the list of possible issues. Teething is less of an issue that one would imagine.