8-Month Sleep Regression

How Does Infant Sleep Change Around Eight Months?

Babies go through significant changes in their sleep patterns during their first year of life. After the first few months, infants start having longer periods of sleep with more of that sleep happening during the night.

Experts recommend that 8-month-olds sleep for 12 to 16 total hours per day Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . This recommendation usually includes a few daytime naps, but many babies also start sleeping through the night at around 6 months Trusted Source American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)|National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information View Source .

That said, it is not uncommon for 8-month-olds to still wake up during the night. Sleep patterns vary considerably among babies Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , so at 8 months, many infants are still in the process of consolidating sleep periods and sleeping for longer stretches at night.

During an 8-month sleep regression, infants may experience difficulty falling asleep, more nighttime awakenings, heightened periods of fussiness or agitation around bedtime, or longer daytime naps with less nighttime sleep. However, not all babies experience an 8-month sleep regression. The sleep patterns of infants are far from uniform, which means that they do not unfold at the same pace for all babies

Changes to a baby’s sleep typically occur alongside wide-ranging elements of growth, learning, and development. During this time, 8-month-olds experience notable increases in their physical and cognitive abilities Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC is the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health. View Source . Around this age, many infants have started teething Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source and can roll over, sit up on their own, and crawl. Their environmental awareness continues to grow, and they may start having stronger emotional reactions and attachments.

What Causes an 8-Month Sleep Regression?

Numerous factors related to a child’s development can affect their sleep and contribute to an 8-month sleep regression. Some examples include:

• Teething that may lead to fussiness or awakenings
• Emotional development that can increase separation anxiety
• Greater environmental awareness that spurs overstimulation
• Increased physical abilities that may cause restlessness in bed

The multitude of developmental changes happening simultaneously makes it difficult to identify one single cause for an 8-month sleep regression. Every infant is different, and the causes of these sleeping problems may affect how long they last.

Tips for Handling an 8-Month Sleep Regression

The most important step in managing an 8-month sleep regression is creating habits and an environment that are conducive to healthy infant sleep. Even if strategies for better infant sleep do not immediately resolve a sleep regression, they can facilitate healthier sleep going forward Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source .

• Stick with safe sleep practices: Make sure bedtime practices are in accordance with recommendations for safe infant sleep Trusted Source National Institutes of Health (NIH) The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. View Source , including reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by keeping soft items out of the crib.
• Work toward a sleep schedule: Even though a routine can get disrupted by a sleep regression, try to standardize your baby’s sleep schedule, including naps, as much as possible.
• Have a consistent bedtime routine: Get your baby ready for bed in the same way every night so they get used to the process of preparing for sleep. A consistent routine has been shown to facilitate falling asleep and reduce the chances of nighttime awakenings Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . In the lead-up to bedtime, make sure your baby is well-fed and has had time to wind down in a comforting environment without excess stimulation.
• Have your baby fall asleep in bed: Rather than putting them in the crib when they are already asleep, put them in bed when drowsy so they can associate their bed with actually falling asleep.
• Reduce potential disturbances and distractions: Your child can sleep best if it is quiet and dark around them without things that could startle or distract them. White noise machines may help to drown out background noise.
• Harness the power of natural light: Exposure to natural light during daytime activities can help establish a sleep-wake pattern for your baby that more closely corresponds to the day-night cycle, making it more likely for them to sleep through the night.

Your 8-month-old may still have sleeping problems even after implementing these tips. If they wake up in the middle of the night, you may consider waiting for a couple of minutes to see if they can self-soothe and return to sleep. If not, you can try to

Coping With Teething-Related Sleep Regressions

If your baby is waking up from teething pain, different approaches may help bring relief Trusted Source American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. View Source , including:

• Using a cold, damp washcloth to soothe their gums
• Lightly massaging their gums with your fingers, after carefully washing your hands
• Allowing your baby to briefly use a chew toy meant for teething children

Managing Separation Anxiety

If your baby cries or becomes irritable when you move away from their bed, it may be because of separation anxiety, which often starts or intensifies at around 8 months Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source .

Many children deal with this issue, and it is helpful for caregivers to comfort their child without rewarding their crying out. For this reason, it is best to avoid removing a baby from their crib when they are crying from separation anxiety.

Examples of ways to help ease separation anxiety include:

• Implementing short stretches of separation during the day so that your baby is more used to nighttime separations
• Having a warm and standard goodbye ritual that leaves your baby feeling comforted before you move away from them
• Leaving something near their crib that they can see that reminds them of you

It may take time for your infant to get used to not having you by their side, but overcoming separation anxiety and learning to self-soothe can be a major step toward them sleeping soundly through the night.

When Should Caregivers Talk With a Doctor About Sleep Problems in 8-Month-Olds?

Most sleep regressions are short-lived, but if your baby’s sleeping problems go on for an extended period or seem to keep getting worse, you can raise the issue with your child’s pediatrician. Their doctor can give specific recommendations for issues like teething and separation anxiety.

In addition, you should contact a pediatrician if you detect other changes in your baby Trusted Source American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. View Source , including:

• Lack of weight gain or growth
• Decreased daily feedings
• Decreased urination or bowel movements
• Labored or abnormal breathing during sleep

Self-Care For Caregivers

It is important that caregivers have reasonable expectations for their baby’s sleep. As much as caregivers hope that their child will sleep through the night by 8 months, even a significant number of 12-month-olds still do not sleep for six or more hours in a row at night Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . This does not mean caregivers are doing anything wrong, and you should not get discouraged or blame yourself if your baby has an 8-month sleep regression.Beyond setting appropriate expectations, it is important for caregivers to think about and plan for how they can meet their own daily sleep needs. Quality sleep is vital to every person’s overall health, and caregivers can practice better self-care and child care when they are getting the right amount of rest.