You’ve just navigated through two significant phases of sleep regression with your baby at the 4-month and 6-month marks. Just as you thought your baby was settling into a sleep routine, they may start to experience another round of sleeping difficulties. If your baby is around 8 months old, they may be experiencing the common 8-month sleep regression. This phase is a normal part of their development.
Most babies experience sleep regression at least four times before turning one year old. As with previous instances, this phase typically lasts only a couple of weeks, and the causes are similar to those you’ve encountered before. Here is everything you need to know about your baby’s sleep challenges at this stage.
Top Causes of 8 Month Sleep Regression in Babies
The good news is that all these sleep issues are happening because of their growth spurts and milestones which means your baby is crossing more major milestones in their life and learning new things. Here are some of the causes of sleep regression in 8 month old babies.
1. Babbling or Talking
The amusement of trying out their newfound ability of babbling words like ‘mama’ or ‘dadda’ wakes them up out of sleep. And it’s recommended that you also don’t get too enthusiastic to talk to them at night until the sleep regression phase passes.
2. Mobility Skills
The tingling to crawl, scoot and pull up to stand doesn’t let your munchkin sleep peacefully. They want to constantly wake up and practice and experiment.
3. Separation Anxiety
At this stage, your baby craves more love from you and gets extra attached. They will even open their eyes from sleep just to see that you’re close.
[Read : Separation Anxiety in Babies]
4. Transitioning Into the 2-Naps Phase
Now your 8-month-old won’t need three naps a day any longer. They will be taking two naps only, and therefore, initially, it makes them more tired before the night’s sleep. And it causes some difficulty falling asleep.
Signs of Sleep Regression in an 8-Month-Old Baby
8 month sleep regression causes disturbances in your baby’s sleep routine in a similar way to the previous regression cycles.
During the 8 month sleep regression, your baby will:
- Move a lot and be restless while asleep be it day or night.
- Wake up multiple times through the night and cry each time.
- Take longer naps during the day since they don’t get complete sleep at night.
- Face difficulty in falling and staying asleep.
- Are a lot fussier and irritable than usual.
- Gets more teary-eyed than usual in your absence, and get glued to you whenever they see you.
How Long Does Sleep Regression Last in 8 Month Baby?
Dealing with this sleep regression may seem like the toughest job in the world at this time. However, it’s only a matter of a few weeks at the most, you simply need to sleep-train your infant. Your little one will soon switch to their 2-nap natural schedule and get that it’s not alright to practice their skills at night.
[Read : Sleep Training a Baby]
Tips to Help Your 8-Month Baby Establish a Sleep Routine
Here are some easy-to-apply tips to pass through this sleep regression phase with your baby without too many bumps.
1. Let Them Stick to Night Schedule
If your baby has been awake for more than 2-3.5 hours, then it’s only natural that they’ll all be exhausted. And remember that trying to sleep while being too weary is not easy. Let them continue their night wind down schedule. This will help them relax and make falling asleep easier.
[Read : Establishing a Bedtime Routine For Babies]
2. Play With Them During Daytime
Cater to their itching for practicing their mobility skills. If they get a room full of opportunities to play out all they want, in terms of crawling, sitting, and so forth, they’ll be more at ease during the night hours.
3. Help Them Adjust to Their New Nap Schedule
Your baby must be having only two naps during the day. Create a conducive environment for your baby to take three naps a day at least twice a week. Yes, you still have to give them their sweet third nap in between a few days. This way, the transition to two naps a day will be easier for you and your baby.
When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?
Talk to your baby’s pediatrician if their sleep regression is stretching longer than a few weeks and if they’re showing the following signs
- Not gaining weight in the right way
- Not feeding properly
- Showing signs of being unwell
The biggest mistake you can make during the 8 month sleep regression in babes is taking all the blame on yourself because your baby is not getting good sleep. This stage is very natural, and you too should take care of your sleep with your baby’s.
FAQ’s
1. How Long Should I Let My 8 Month Old Cry it Out?
First, see them for 10 minutes, and if they doze off into sleep, it’s okay. But you should intervene if their crying lasts longer than that.
2. Should I Feed My Baby at Night During 8 Month Sleep Regression?
An 8-month-old baby can sleep effortlessly for 10-12 hours without needing any feeding. But still, one feeding is recommended.
3. How Do I Know if Baby is Waking From Hunger?
Babies who come awake out of hunger won’t go back to sleep on their own. They may cry for more than 10 minutes.
