How to Handle the 8-Month Sleep Regression Like a Pro
If your baby is suddenly waking more at night, fighting naps, or becoming clingy at bedtime, you’re not alone. Many parents notice a sudden shift in their baby’s sleep around 8 months of age — a phase known as the 8-month sleep regression.
It can feel confusing and exhausting, but understanding why it happens can make all the difference.
Why Does the 8-Month Sleep Regression Happen?
This regression is driven by a surge in developmental milestones, both physical and cognitive.
Motor Development: At this age, many babies are learning to crawl, pull themselves to stand, or even cruise along furniture. These new skills are exciting, and babies may want to “practice” them, even during the night.
Cognitive Growth: Babies begin to understand object permanence — the concept that people and things still exist even when they’re not visible. This is a huge milestone, but it also brings separation anxiety, making your baby more aware (and upset) when you're not around — especially at bedtime.
Sleep Cycle Changes: Your baby’s sleep cycles are maturing to resemble adult patterns, with lighter sleep stages and more frequent transitions.These transitions can lead to frequent wake-ups.
Teething: Some babies get their first teeth around this age, adding a layer of discomfort that can disrupt sleep.
What Might You Notice?
Every baby experiences this regression differently, but common signs include:
More night wakings, sometimes multiple times a night
Shorter naps or skipping naps altogether
Fighting sleep at bedtime
Increased clinginess and separation anxiety
More frequent night feeds, even if they were sleeping through before
Early morning wakings
How Long Does It Last?
The 8-month regression is temporary, usually lasting 2 to 6 weeks. While it can be frustrating, it’s a clear sign that your baby is growing and learning. With gentle support, they will return to more restful sleep.
How Can You Support Your Baby?
Here are a few ways to help your baby (and yourself) through this phase:
Stick to Your Routine: A consistent bedtime routine offers comfort and predictability. Keep it calm and simple — bath, book, cuddles, and bed.
Offer Comfort — But Be Consistent: It’s okay to respond to your baby’s needs and offer reassurance. At the same time, try to avoid starting new sleep habits (like rocking or feeding to sleep) that you’ll later want to undo.
Encourage Daytime Practice: Give your baby plenty of floor time during the day to work on their new skills. This reduces the urge to practice at 2 AM!
Watch for Overtiredness: Don’t let wake windows stretch too long. An overtired baby often struggles more with both falling and staying asleep.
Support Separation Anxiety: Try short moments of separation during the day, always returning with a smile. Peek-a-boo is a simple and effective way to reinforce that you’ll come back.
Sleep regressions are hard — especially when you thought you’d finally turned a corner. But this one, like all others, is a sign of progress, not failure. Your baby is learning, developing, and adjusting to a world that’s becoming more complex and exciting.
It’s also important to remember that every child is different. While we commonly refer to it as the 8-month regression, it may happen a little earlier or later for some babies — even between 7 to 10 months. Some babies breeze through it with only minor disruptions, while others may struggle more.
How your child responds depends on their temperament, developmental pace, and sleep habits.
With consistency, patience, and love, this phase will pass — and your little one will be back to sleeping more peacefully soon.
