8 Month Sleep Regression: Signs + How to Navigate this Developmental Progression

Do you want to know the NUMBER ONE most common age of babies that I’ve worked with? It’s 8 month olds!

This is because this is a period of time when many families begin to run into some challenges as it comes to their baby’s sleep. So, if you are finding yourself feeling a little overwhelmed with sleep around this age.. you’re absolutely not alone.

Note:  The common name for this period of sleep disturbances is the ‘8 Month Sleep Regression’, and while it can wreak some havoc on baby sleep (and consequently… our own sleep!), it’s actually a really positive sign of your baby’s growth and development. It’s important to know that each baby will hit their developmental milestones at slightly different times. No two babies are the same as it comes to development. THIS is why this sleep ‘regression’ can technically  occur anywhere between the age range of 7-10 months. This period in general just happens to be commonly referred to as ‘8 month sleep regression’ . 

Around the 8 month mark, parents may notice:

• fighting naps
• shorter naps
• fighting bedtime
• increased night wakings
• a little more crankiness and clinginess

Let’s work through a few main things that are likely contributing here: 

1. The 3-2 nap transition territory is happening right around this age for many babies.

Most babies will transition from 3-2 naps anywhere from 6-9 months. In my experience, it tends to happen for most babies approaching that 8 month mark. This means 3 naps has now become too much for their little body - but often, 2 naps doesn’t quite cut it yet. This leaves you stuck somewhere between the underwired zone.. and OVER tired zone. Hello wonky naps (either taking a long time to fall asleep, resisting nap all together, or many tears), and suddenly the need for more stretched out wake periods (especially before bed when dropping to 2 naps!). These sudden changes can feel like a lot for some babies (and for us as well). It’s truly a delicate dance of timing of scheduling adjustments to help your baby go down to sleep more smoothly. 

What to do?

My biggest advice for those days where your baby is shifting to two naps is to bring bedtime in earlier. This is one of the most crucial steps you can take to help your baby move more smoothly with the ebbs and flows of their changing sleep needs around this age. While the window between final nap and bedtime becomes longer when moving from 3-2 naps, (for reference: on 3 naps the final window is 2-2.5 hours, freshly on 2 naps the final window is 3-3.5) bedtime will still land easier when transitioning down on naps. For example, if your baby’s bedtime was 7:30PM on a 3 nap schedule… you may notice it move in to 6/6:30PM on a 2 nap schedule). Check out my resource library where I offer both 3 and 2 (and 1!) nap schedule walk-throughs, detailed recommendations and examples.

2. Your baby is likely experiencing some major gross-motor development.

They are likely on the move - or trying their best to be on the move! Is your baby crawling, pulling to stand, or starting to cruise the furniture? That’ll do it! They may suddenly want to practice these fun new skills at night, too! After all, no time like 2:00am, right? Their little bodies may think so. 

What to do?

The best way to move through this simply is to AMP up those opportunities for them to practice these exciting new skills during the daytime as MUCH as possible. For example, if your baby is at the army crawling stage, makes point to implement little intervals of tummy time play during each wake window. Perhaps laying out their play mat and placing out novel item for them to reach for and grab at and move towards, to help them practice those skills in the daytime, helping to satiate that need to do so at night. Practice having your baby cruise along the length of the couch by placing a few fun little toys on each cushion, motivating them to get that little body moving during the day! Not only does this help satiate that need, but it also helps with additional energy exertion. Those are two important pieces to getting more of that quality sleep during this regression period. 

3. Hello peak in separation anxiety! It’s extremely common for your baby to experience an increase in separation anxiety around this period. You may see signs of this happening in either the day or the night! 

Separation anxiety begins when babies start to develop what’s called object permanence (very simply put, understanding that when you are out of view - you are no longer there). This understanding can begin as early as 4-5 months, but many parents often report peaks in separation anxiety around ages 8/9 months, 18 months, and 24 months. With all things sleep and development, these ages are are averages - each baby is different and you may notice these signs happening slightly before or after these particular months. Regardless, implementing these supportive strategies will help your baby move through this cognitive leap. 

What to do?

We can maintain warm and loving boundaries around sleep while STILL supporting the very real anxieties our child may be experiencing leading up to it! Below are some tips and strategies to support your baby with moving through this developmental leap.

1.  Add 5-10 extra minutes to sleep routine: focus on cuddles + calming connection. 
2. Sleep with one of their crib sheets one night to transfer your smell onto it - use in their crib after. Don’t underestimate the power of scent! It can be extremely comforting to your baby, and help to increase the positive association they have with their sleep space. This is especially important during this sleep regression period.
3. Do try your best not to sneak away - if you having a routine that includes your baby falling asleep independently, let your child see you leaving calmly and confidently. This signals to our child that their bed is still a safe place to be, and help to build that trust that you are not going to quickly and discreetly slide away once they close their eyes. While this may work for some babies, many families find that it begins to backfire once our now very aware 8 month olds catch on to the fact that you’re not actually sticking around like they thought. 
4. BRIDGE THE GAP  - for many families who work in independent sleep, nap time and bedtime is a time of separation. Focusing on connection is an important part to ease this peak in separation anxiety. You can do this verbally with your baby, “it’s time to sleep now. When you wake up, you and mommy will play trains/snuggle together, go for a walk, etc!”. Babies are truly AMAZING, and they can quickly begin to understand words, usually far earlier than they can outwardly express them. 
5. Play peekaboo often in the day. This helps to build a more thorough understanding of object permanence. They now know that once you are out of sight, that you are still there. Playing peek-a-boo sends the signal to your baby that that even when you’re out of sight when you put them down to sleep - you’ll indeed, always come back. 
6. Above all else, know that these phases are often developmental in nature, perfectly normal - and honestly usually a positive sign of your baby’s evolving brain.

Increasing your babies confidence with falling asleep *in* the crib is something that can certainly help your baby to more easily fall asleep in their crib in the future. If this is a goal of yours, stay tuned for The Baby Sleep Course, where you’ll enhance your confidence in supporting your baby to sleep more consistently and happily in their own sleep space!