Hi,
I am a pediatrician,
I can sense the frustration that you feel with the kids sleeping pattern. First things first, if she is shaking her head intermittently while she is not doing any specific activity, then probably she is just plain bored Images available only to Customers.

, it is developmentally appropriate and happens to a lot of kids. You may want to check with your pedaitrican in case it is excessive though.
Here are a few tips to help you understand your infants sleep pattent and help her sleep:

By six months of age, nighttime feedings are usually not necessary and many infants sleep through the night; 70-80 percent will do so by nine months of age. Infants typically sleep 9-12 hours during the night and take 30 minute to two-hour naps, one to four times a day – fewer as they reach age one.

When infants are put to bed drowsy but not asleep, they are more likely to become "self- soothers" which enables them to fall asleep independently at bedtime and put themselves back to sleep during the night. Those who have become accustomed to parental assistance at bedtime often become "signalers" and cry for their parents to help them return to sleep during the night.

Social and developmental issues can also affect sleep. Secure infants who are attached to their caregiver may have less sleep problems, but some may also be reluctant to give up this engagement for sleep. During the second half of the year, infants may also experience separation anxiety. Illness and increased motor development may also disrupt sleep.

Sleep Tips for Infants

• Develop regular daytime and bedtime schedules.
• Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine.
• Establish a regular "sleep friendly" environment.
• Encourage baby to fall asleep independently and to become a "self-soother."

Source

Please ACCEPT the reply, and give a BONUS if it was useful. If you need more information, just let me know.
Regards
Dr. Gupta

Hi. I agree with everything Dr. Gupta said about sleep for your baby. I am throwing in my 2 cents because I have a 6 month old. When he gets overtired, he shakes his head too. My daughter did the same thing! You will need to get her better rested for this to stop.
Babies at 8 months old need no more than 3 hours of daytime sleep usually spread out over 2 naps. This way they will be tired enough to sleep at night but not overtired that they can't sleep.
My kids wouldn't sleep at all if the room was light. You might want to try room darkening shades and fill in all the gaps with towels, No chinks of light at all. This may help her sleep past 6am. Also, put her in the same dark room for naps.
Put her down for naps before she is overtired. If she's up at 6am, then the first nap is by 8:30am. If she is up by 10am then the next nap can be at 1pm. If she's up by 2:30 or 3pm then you need to decide if she needs a catnap of 10-15 mins. to make it through to bedtime or if you want her to go to bed earlier than 8pm. You will have to wake her from the catnap. Be sure the catnap is done by 5:30pm for an 8pm bedtime.
Yes, overstimulation can cause problems settling down. You might want to try a white noise machine. Radio Shack sells a good one. Both of my kids sleep to the sound of rain. Very helpful for the baby when the 3 year old is running around :)
A good book to read is "Healthy Sleep, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth. This book may give you some ideas on her sleep schedule.
I don't know your thoughts about crying but there may be some crying as she starts to sleep better. Let her know you are there for her but resist the urge to pick her up. Crying it out with a parent present is not the same as being alone. You may want to delay going into her at night. I had to do this for my son. It took 3 nights and it worked. You may find that she falls back to sleep faster when you don't go in. I would give her 20 mins. to see if she can settle herself. If she is awake and not crying, then don't go in.
I hope this helps.
For your info. here is my son's schedule at 6 mos.
Up between 6:45-715am
Nap between 9:30-10:00am
Up by 11-11:30
Nap at 2-2:30
Up by 3:30-4:00
If needed catnap around 5:30 for 10 mins. We are trying not to need this anymore.
Bedtime between 7-7:45 depending on day sleep

---