You’ve just gone through two major phases of sleep regression with your baby at the 4-month and 6-month marks. Just when you thought your baby was settling into a sleep routine, they may start to face another round of sleep difficulties. If your baby is around 8 months old, they might be experiencing the common 8-month sleep regression. This phase is a normal part of their development.
Most babies go through sleep regression at least four times before they turn one year old. Like previous instances, these phases usually last only a couple of weeks, and the causes tend to be similar to those you’ve experienced before. Here’s everything you need to know about your baby’s sleep challenges at this stage.
Top Causes of 8-Month Sleep Regression in Babies
Sleep patterns change during the first year of life (1). 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 to babble words like ‘mama’ or ‘dadda’ wakes them up out of sleep. And it’s recommended that you also don’t get too enthusiastic about talking to them at night until the sleep regression phase passes.
2. Mobility Skills
The urge to crawl, scoot, and pull up to stand prevents your munchkin from sleeping peacefully. They constantly wake up to practice and experiment.
3. Separation Anxiety
At this stage, your baby craves more love from you and becomes extra attached. They will even open their eyes from sleep just to see if you are 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 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.
- They are a lot fussier and irritable than usual.
- Gets more teary-eyed than usual in your absence, and gets glued to you whenever they see you.
How Long Does Sleep Regression Last in an 8-Month-Old Baby?
Dealing with sleep regression can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to your 8-month-old. You may be wondering how long these sleep challenges will last. Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific timeline for sleep regressions, as they vary based on the underlying causes. Often, the duration is just a few weeks at most, and you may need to implement sleep training for your infant. Before long, your little one will transition to a natural 2-nap schedule and understand that practicing new skills at night isn’t appropriate.
[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 itch to practice 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 have 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 babies 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.
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 an 8-Month Sleep Regression?
An 8-month-old baby can sleep effortlessly for 10-12 hours without needing any feeding. However, one feeding is still recommended.
3. How Do I Know if Baby is Waking From Hunger?
Babies who wake up out of hunger won’t go back to sleep on their own. They may cry for more than 10 minutes.
Reference
- Bruni O, Baumgartner E, Sette S, Ancona M, Caso G, Di Cosimo ME, Mannini A, Ometto M, Pasquini A, Ulliana A, Ferri R. Longitudinal study of sleep behavior in normal infants during the first year of life. J Clin Sleep Med. 2014 Oct 15;10(10):1119-27 – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4173090/
