8 Month Sleep Regression: Why Your Baby Won't Sleep (And What Helps)

Understanding the 8-Month Sleep Regression

The 8-month sleep regression (sometimes called the 8-10 month regression) is a challenging period marked by major developmental leaps. Your baby is likely learning to crawl, pull up to stand, and may be experiencing peak separation anxiety. These combined factors create significant sleep disruptions that can leave parents feeling exhausted.

Unlike earlier regressions, the 8-month regression is often more intense because babies are more aware, more mobile, and more determined to practice new skills - even during sleep time.

What Causes the 8-Month Sleep Regression?

Several developmental factors converge around 8 months:

• Major motor milestones: Crawling, pulling up, and cruising require significant brain processing, even during sleep
• Peak separation anxiety: Around 8-10 months, babies develop object permanence and realize you can leave, causing anxiety
• Increased mobility: Babies may get stuck in new positions or wake themselves up moving
• Teething: Many babies are cutting multiple teeth around this age
• Language development: Babbling and early communication skills are developing rapidly

Common Symptoms

Signs of the 8-month regression include:

• Frequent night wakings (every 1-3 hours)
• Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime
• Standing or sitting up in crib and unable to get back down
• Increased crying when you leave the room
• Shorter or skipped naps
• Wanting to practice crawling/standing instead of sleeping

How to Manage the 8-Month Regression

1. Support Physical Development During Awake Time

Give your baby plenty of opportunities to practice new skills during the day. This reduces the urge to practice at night. Create safe spaces for crawling, provide furniture for pulling up, and celebrate achievements during awake hours.

2. Address Separation Anxiety

Help your baby build confidence with separations: practice brief separations during the day, always say goodbye clearly and return as promised, play peek-a-boo games, and consider a consistent bedtime routine that includes a clear goodnight.

3. Help Baby Get Back Down

If your baby is pulling up but can't get back down, practice this skill during the day. Gently guide them to sit from standing position. Some babies benefit from a sleep sack that makes standing more difficult, encouraging them to stay lying down.

4. Optimize Sleep Environment

Ensure the sleep space supports rest: use blackout curtains for darkness, maintain consistent white noise, lower the crib mattress if baby is pulling up, and remove any items baby could use to climb out.

5. Maintain Consistent Routines

Consistency is crucial during regressions. Stick to your bedtime routine, maintain regular wake-up times, and follow age-appropriate wake windows. Use our Wake Window Calculator to ensure your baby isn't becoming overtired.

How Long Does It Last?

The 8-month regression typically lasts 2-4 weeks, though it can feel longer if multiple milestones are being mastered simultaneously. Once your baby becomes more confident with new skills and separation anxiety begins to ease, sleep usually improves.

When to Consider Sleep Training

If sleep issues persist beyond the regression period, you may want to revisit sleep training. At 8 months, babies are developmentally ready for various methods. Consider evidence-based programs like 21 Days to Peace & Quiet for flexible approaches that work during regressions.

Conclusion

The 8-month regression is challenging but temporary. By supporting your baby's development, addressing separation anxiety, and maintaining consistent routines, you can navigate this phase successfully. Remember, these regressions are signs of healthy development, even when they're exhausting.

For personalized guidance on all sleep regressions, use our free Sleep Regression Calculator to understand what to expect throughout your baby's first years.