8 Month Sleep Regression: How to Help Your Baby Sleep Better

Introduction

The 8 month sleep regression period is typically characterized by sudden and unpredictable wakefulness during the night, increased resistance to daytime naps, and the need for more night-time comfort. The changes can be highly frustrating to parents. The timing of the regression feels like a sudden and unpredictable change to a baby’s previously consistent sleep habits.

At this age, rapid and significant changes to the baby’s physical and mental development occur, including: the ability to crawl home, the ability to sit and stand up and the ability to babble; as well as an increased awareness of their surroundings. Changes to a baby’s sleep patterns and habits are mostly temporary and are likely to resolve on their own with the help of consistent and supportive sleep routines.

What Is the 8 Month Sleep Regression?

The 8 month sleep regression refers to the period during which a previously good sleeping baby develops the bad sleeping habits and disruptions described above.

Some of the bad sleeping habits that babies develop during the 8 month sleep regression include:

• Poor quality and disrupted sleep
• Increased resistance to daytime and nighttime sleep
• Longer periods of wakefulness and early morning risings
• Increased attachment and a greater degree of separation anxiety

This regression is perfectly normal and to be expected. The 8 month sleep regression is associated with the rapid development of new skills and abilities; and rest assured, there are no causes for concern.

1. Important Developmental Milestones

By 8 months, babies often reach new milestones, including:

• – Crawling
• – Sitting up
• – Pulling up
• – Moving
• – More skilled hands

The brain practices even more skills while sleeping, and babies may wake more often.

Some babies even prefer to wake and practice new skills instead of sleep.

2. More Understanding and Separation Anxiety

At this age, babies realize that their parents may leave, and this can cause separation anxiety.

Some symptoms of separation anxiety your baby may show include:

• – Crying when leaving the room
• – Waking when you are not there
• – Need more reassurance
• – Increased clinginess at bedtime

Separation anxiety may be caused by the new understanding of object permanence that people and things do not disappear when out of view.

3. Sleep Patterns

At 8 months, sleep patterns become more consistent and predictable, and babies may have:

• – Longer periods of wakefulness
• – More structured nap times
• – Less sleep during the day

Baby sleep needs may be insufficient if too much sleep occurs during the day.

By this age, babies are likely to be teething and begin to experience disrupted sleep.

4. Teething and Sleep

Common signs of teething include:

• – More drool
• – Chewing everything
• – More sleep disruption
• – Swollen gums

While teething can disrupt sleep, it is not the cause of every sleep issue.

5. Growth and Increased Nighttime Waking

Increased nighttime waking can be a sign of growth spurts and increased hunger.

With the introduction of solid food, digestion patterns and feeding schedules may change for babies that are 8 months old.

Symptoms of 8 Month Sleep Regression in Babies

Some of the common symptoms are:

• Waking Frequently at Night
• Your previously undisturbed baby, may now wake several times a night.
• Shorter Naps

Naps may now last anywhere between 20 – 40 minutes and may be difficult to initiate and may be inconsistent.

Crying More at Bedtime

Your baby may now resist going to bed and may be waiting for you to initiate play, or may be waiting for you to give reassurance.

Crawling, Standing or Pulling Up in Crib

Some babies may now have a difficult time lying flat and may be wide awake after pulling up or crawling.

Waking Up Early

Your baby may now be waking up much earlier than before and may refuse to go back to sleep.

Duration of the 8 Month Sleep Regression

The 8 month sleep regression generally lasts between 2 to 6 weeks, but all babies are different. Some of the factors that affect the duration are the baby’s:

• Temperament
• Sleep patterns
• How consistent the parents’ routines are
• How the parents respond to baby’s night waking

What to do to help your baby in the 8 month Sleep Regression

1. Consistent Bedtime Routine

Some of the components that may be part of a bedtime routine are a bath, story, pajamas and quiet time before bed. All of these indicate to the baby that it is time for bed.

2. Promote the Ability to fall Sleep Independently

If your baby falls asleep easily while being rocked or fed, it is likely that they will continue to need that when they wake up in the middle of the night.

Encouraging your baby to learn independent settling is important to their development.

This is not the same as leaving your baby to cry. This is giving them chances to learn to fall asleep on their own.

3. Change Wake Windows

8 month olds have longer periods that they need to be awake during the day. You should also change how long they sleep as well.

If wake windows are too short:

• Baby may not be tired enough
• Bedtime struggles may increase

If wake windows are too long:

• Baby may become overtired
• Night waking may increase

All 8 month old babies are different, but the average wake window is 2.5 – 4 hours.

4. Comfort During Separation Anxiety

If your baby is crying during the night, give them comforting words.

You can:

• Speak calmly
• Offer gentle touch
• Keep the room dark
• Try to avoid nighttime wake-ups as a time to play.
• Comfort, but have low expectations for sleep.

5. Make A Sleep Friendly Environment

You can change your baby’s environment to make sleep easier.

Think about:

• Making the room dark
• Keeping a comfortable temperature
• Using white noise
• Keeping the sleep space the same
• Doing less stimulating activities

6. Give Your Baby Opportunities to Practice During the Day

If your baby is waking from sleep to practice skills like standing, you should give them opportunities during the day to practice.

Think about practicing:

• Standing from a sitting position
• Crawling
• Being mobile in a safe way

This may help reduce the urge to practice at night.

7. Avoid Introducing Long-term Sleep Habits that You Do Not Want

It may be tempting to introduce the following habits with your baby during trying times:

• Holding your baby all night
• Rocking them every time they wake up
• Bringing them into your bed (if this is not your normal routine)

There is nothing wrong with introducing temporary habits. Just try reverting back to your initial sleep routine once this period is over.

Example 8 Month Sleep Schedule

Every baby develops and grows differently. A good example sleep routine is as follows:

• Wake: 7:00 AM
• Morning Nap: 9:30 AM
• Afternoon Nap: 1:30 PM
• Bedtime: 7:00 – 8:00 PM

At this age, your baby should take 2 naps and sleep about 12 – 16 hours (including daytime naps).

When Should You Consult Your Baby’s Doctor?

Sleep regression normally corrects itself, but your baby should see their pediatrician if they are experiencing:

• Significant changes in sleep patterns
• Signs of illness
• Sleep apnea
• Crying/pain that results in poor sleep
• Poor appetite with poor weight gain
• Fever
• Vomiting

Sleep problems can also be related to a non-developmental health issue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the 8 month sleep regression?

Sleep disruption at 8 months is a common phenomenon attributed to normal developmental changes, separation anxiety, and changes in babies’ sleep needs.

2. How long is the 8 month sleep regression?

The 8 Month Sleep Regression can last anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.

3. Why does my baby wake up every hour at 8 months?

Babies may wake up every hour for a number of reasons including developmental milestones, separation anxiety, teething, sleep changes, and hunger.

4. Is it bad to advance sleep training during the 8 month regression?

During the 8 month regression, some parents choose to begin or continue sleep training. Others opt to wait. Staying consistent is generally more important than the method used.

5. Is teething part of the 8 month sleep regression?

Although sleep problems caused by teething are common, the 8 month sleep regression is more typically caused by the rapid development of new skills.

6. Why does my baby cry when I go to bed?

This is often separation anxiety, and is typically a new awareness.

7. How many naps does a 8 month old have?

8 month olds typically have 2 naps a day, although some may vary.

8. Should I still wake to feed my 8 month old?

Some parents opt to feed during the night, and it is common for some babies to need nighttime feeds. However, it depends on the child’s growth, feeding during the day, and advice from your pediatrician.

9. Why does my baby wake at night, but is happy?

It is common for babies to wake at the end of a sleep cycle, or to practice new skills, and is often not done from a place of distress.

10. How to survive the 8 month sleep regression?

The 8 month sleep regression can be rough, but it is only temporary. Creating a routine and providing comfort can help. Add a few sleep skills, and take it day by day.

Conclusion

The sleep regression typically seen around 8 months is challenging for parents and infants, but this phase is generally thought to be an expected aspect of infant development. Sleep can be disrupted during this phase as new skills are practiced, separation anxiety begins, the changing nature of sleep is adjusted to, and the infant becomes more aware.

Most experts suggest parents remain consistent while offering assurance, continuing healthy sleep habits, and refraining from sudden changes as a result of a challenging couple of weeks.

As infants adapt and develop, the sleep regression phase is typically time-limited. Persistent disrupted sleep during this phase is expected.