Why Does Sleep Regression Happen in 8 – 10 Months Old Babies?

The 8-month sleep regression is a common developmental phase that can cause babies to wake up more often at night, take shorter naps, and have difficulty falling asleep. At 8 months old, babies are developing rapidly both physically and mentally. They may be more aware of their surroundings and more easily disturbed by noises or light. They may also roll over, crawl, or stand, which can disrupt their sleep.

The 8 month sleep regression can affect a child’s sleep in a number of ways. Some of the most common effects include:

Increased night wakings.

Babies who were previously sleeping through the night may start waking up multiple times during the night.

Difficulty falling asleep.

Babies may have more trouble falling asleep at bedtime and after night wakings.

Shorter naps.

Babies may take shorter naps or skip naps altogether.

More fussiness and irritability.

Babies may be more fussy and irritable during the day, which can make it difficult to put them down for naps and bedtime. The 8 month sleep regression can also affect a child’s overall mood and behavior. Babies who are not getting enough sleep may be more cranky and difficult to console. They may also have problems with feeding and concentration.

Top tips on how to survive the 8 month sleep regression:

Stick to a consistent routine.

Keep to your baby’s bedtime routine, even if they’re having a tough night. This will help them wind down and know what to expect.

Try to establish a nap schedule.

Naps are especially important during a sleep regression, so try to keep to a regular nap schedule. Pay attention to your baby’s sleepy cues and create a nap-time routine to signal that it’s time to rest.

Stick to a consistent wake-up time.

Even if your baby has had a rough night of sleep, try to wake them up at the same time every morning. This will help regulate their body clock and make it easier for them to fall asleep at night.

Be patient, and remember that sleep regression are a normal part of a baby’s development.

Sleep regression is a phase and it will eventually pass. Try to be patient and focus on creating a calm, soothing environment for your baby.

Be flexible.

Your baby’s sleep patterns may change frequently during a regression, so be prepared to adjust your routine as needed. Be willing to try different things to see what works best for your baby.

Don’t let your baby get overtired.

Over-tiredness can make it harder for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep. Watch for signs of tiredness, like yawning, rubbing eyes, or fussiness, and try to get your baby to sleep before they get too tired.

Ask for help.

Sleep regressions can be exhausting for parents, both physically and emotionally. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or a professional such as a baby sleep consultant or pediatrician if you need it.

Take care of yourself.

Remember to take care of yourself during a sleep regression. Get enough rest, eat healthy foods, and take breaks when you need them. Taking care of yourself will help you better take care of your baby. More on self-care in the sleep guides here.

Stay calm and positive.

Your baby may sense your frustration or stress, which can make it harder for them to sleep. Try to stay calm and positive, even if you’re feeling exhausted. Remember that 8 months sleep regression is temporary, and things will eventually get better.

Keep the bedroom conducive to sleep.

Make sure your baby’s bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Use blackout curtains to keep out light and white noise to mask any background noise that could disturb your baby’s sleep. Here is a detailed guide on how to set up a sleep friendly bedroom for your child.

Be mindful of growth spurts.

8 months Sleep regressions often coincide with growth spurts, which can make your baby extra hungry and fussy. Be prepared to offer extra feedings and comfort during these times.

Encourage self-settling.

At 8 months, your baby will be more aware of their surroundings and may need help learning to self-settle. There are a number of gentle sleep training methods that can help your baby learn to fall asleep and stay asleep on their own.

Consider exploring gentle sleep training options and no-cry sleep solutions.

If your baby is having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during the 8-month sleep regression, consider exploring gentle sleep training options. Gentle sleep training can help your baby learn to self-settle and establish healthy sleep habits. You can find a variety of downloadable audio and digital sleep guides here to help guide you through the process. If you would like more personalised support, you can reach out to a sleep consultant for 1-on-1 help support

Can the 8 months sleep regression be something else?

There are a few other things that could be affecting your child’s sleep that you may want to eliminate before assuming it is a sleep regression.

Teething: When your baby is teething, they obviously experience some discomfort. You can look to see if any teeth are breaking through to see if it is this or watching if they are mouthing/chewing more.  Also, if teething is disrupting their sleep, it is usually only a couple of days so you can use these facts to decide whether teething is the cause.

Separation anxiety: As baby gets older (from around 6 months) your baby becomes more away of when you aren’t there and they don’t like it.  This may make them harder to settle because they may be clingier.  They also might not like to be left to fall asleep by themselves. More on separation anxiety here.

Illness: If your child isn’t feeling themselves this could lead to many restless nights until they recover.

Growth spurts: Your child is obviously doing lots of growing and if they are going through a spurt of growth, it might mean they need to take in extra feeds to provide the energy they need and therefore wake up more frequently.  They also happen more often than sleep regressions do and last for shorter lengths of time.  Because of the extra feeds they need, they might start developing the sleep association of being fed to sleep.

Nap transitions: If your child is changing their nap patterns (dropping one, having them at different times, shortening them) they might have trouble sleeping as they adjust to their new routine! This might even cross over with the 8 months sleep regression.

Frequently asked questions

Will 8 months sleep regression mean all our sleep training has gone out of the window?

No, your baby’s sleep training progress is not lost during a sleep regression. However, you may need to make some adjustments to your routine to help your baby through this phase. For instance, you may need to adjust naps, offer more feedings at night, or provide more comfort and reassurance.

Will my child experience 8 months sleep regressions?

Not all children experience 8m months sleep regressions. Some may only experience it, while others may not experience the sleep regression at all. The severity of the 8 months sleep regression can also vary from child to child.

How long will 8 months sleep regression last?

The duration of the 8 month sleep regression varies from baby to baby. It typically lasts for a few weeks to a few months. However, some babies may experience it for a shorter or longer period.

When should my baby be able to learn to self-settle?

Most babies can learn to self-settle around 4 to 6 months old. This means they can fall back asleep on their own after waking up during the night. Self-settling is an important skill for babies to learn, as it helps them connect sleep cycles and promotes longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep.

Is there anything else I can do to help my baby sleep better through 8 months sleep regression?

In addition to maintaining a consistent bedtime routine and encouraging self-settling, here are some other tips to help your baby sleep better:

• Make sure your baby’s bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
• Establish a consistent nap schedule.
• Avoid over-tiredness or under-tiredness by putting your baby to bed when they show signs of tiredness.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Offer comfort and reassurance during the night.
• Consider gentle sleep training options if necessary, find a Sleep Consultant.
• Look into foods that promote sleep.
• Go outside as much as possible, both to tire them out and to get lots of vitamin D which helps promote sleep as well.