Watching your baby grow up, surpass those milestones is an exciting, joyful journey for every parent. However, it is common knowledge that sleep deprivation is part of parenting, especially during the initial months. Your baby’s sleeping patterns can be erratic. There are several days your baby will sleep through the night and also many sleepless nights.
By the time your baby can sleep through the night, you may feel like the challenging phase is behind you, but keep in mind that the 8-month sleep regression can strike without notice.
What is 8 Month Sleep Regression?
Sleep regression refers to changes in a kid’s sleep pattern characterized by patterns like resisting bedtime, shorter naps, difficulties falling asleep, and frequently waking up at night. The 8-month sleep regression can begin when a baby is eight months or even show up at ten months. Like other sleep regressions, it is caused by the baby’s developmental milestones.
By this time, your baby would be crawling, standing, and even showing signs of initial steps. Your little one has plenty to do, so sleeping may not be their priority. Separation anxiety may be associated with this sleep regression because, at this age, your baby will be aware of your absence when you leave a room.
8 Month Sleep Regression Signs
The signs of 8 month sleep regression resemble the previous ones. They may include:
Fighting Sleep
Going to sleep means staying away from you, so your baby may start fighting their bedtime because they have separation anxiety.
Extreme Fussiness
Your baby’s crankiness might be a result of not getting enough sleep. It is essential to maintain a regular sleep routine to ensure your child is well-rested. Eight-month babies typically need around 12-15 hours of sleep a day.
Waking Up Frequently At Night and Not Falling Back Asleep Quickly
If your baby, who usually sleeps through the night or wakes up only a few times, starts having frequent night waking, you might be dealing with the latest phase of sleep regression.
Related: Toddler Rolling Eyes Upward
Sleeping More During The Day
Your baby will likely take longer naps during the day when going through the 8-month sleep regression because of not sleeping well at night. They will need to compensate for this lack of sleep, so monitor their daytime naps.
Shorter Naps
Besides taking longer naps, you may also notice short rests in a baby going through an 8-month sleep regression. Short naps typically last less than an hour, while longer ones are 60 minutes or longer.
Clinginess
Another 8-month sleep regression sign is your baby being upset when you are away and holding on to you tightly when you are with them.
To recognize the 8-month sleep regression signs, you must know your child’s sleep schedules first. Since every baby is unique, try to stay calm if your little one is off the recommended sleep hours by an hour or two. An 8-month baby can rest for 14 hours a day. They can sleep at night for about 9-12 hours and nap for approximately 3-4 hours during the day.
A template for a sleep schedule can help you measure and regulate your little one’s sleep pattern. Through it, you can identify any changes and make the necessary adjustments.
How To Manage 8 Month Sleep Regression
Adjust Bedtime
Most babies nap three times a day until they are seven or eight months old. After that, they may start refusing the third nap or wait until around 5 pm before falling asleep. You can solve this by eliminating the third nap and putting your baby to bed earlier. If they take a nap at 3 pm, set their bedtime to 6 or 7 pm.
As babies grow older, they can stay up longer. However, for now, their bodies require more nighttime sleep while they adjust to the 2-nap routine.
Enough Daytime Sleep
If your baby is not sleeping well at night, strive to help them nap longer during the day. Your little one requires between one and two hours midday and morning naps to achieve a complete sleep cycle. Even if they protest their nap time, keep offering them, and they will begin taking time after a while.
Practice Separation
Staying away from your child shortly during playtime may help them realize that you are not abandoning them and will always come back even if you are out of sight. Once they understand that, they will go to sleep much easier. You can also visit your baby’s crib at night when they cannot settle down to rest and also when they wake up but keep these moments uneventful and brief.
Related: Switching from Breastmilk to Formula
Consider Sleep Training Again
If you had sleep-trained your baby before the 8-month sleep regression signs showed, try the technique that bore desirable outcomes before. This will significantly help if your baby is having trouble overcoming the current sleep deprivation phase. It can be frustrating when your once sound sleeper little munching starts regressing. Sleep regression can affect the sleeping patterns of everyone in your household. Luckily, the 8-month sleep regression does not last too long.