The word ‘regression’ is thrown around left and right in regard to baby sleep. Is it the 4-month, 8-month, or 12-month sleep regression that is wreaking havoc on your baby’s sleep? There are many reasons why your child might suddenly have a hard time going to sleep, staying asleep, or taking great naps. And, it actually might not be a regression at all.
The only ‘regression’ that truly is all about sleep and the circadian rhythm is the 4-month sleep regression. This is the time when your baby’s circadian rhythm is developing and changing. And, it’s poorly named, as it’s actually a sign that your child is progressing just as they should. So, let’s rename that bad boy the 4-Month Sleep Progression.
What is the 8-Month Sleep Regression?
When people refer to the 8-month sleep regression, they are typically referring to a change in their baby’s sleep that is happening when the baby is somewhere between 8-10 months old.
Your baby has probably been sleeping through the night and taking pretty good naps for several months now and then all of a sudden, they’re not. Your babe might be taking a long time to fall asleep at night, experiencing night wakings, early morning wakings, or even short naps. What the heck? Why is this happening?
What Causes the 8-Month Sleep Regression?
Most commonly, this ‘regression’ is due to a developmental milestone your little one is going through. Around this time a baby might be learning to crawl or stand up. When a baby is working on a new skill, their little brains and bodies are super busy learning, practicing, and processing. It seems like their favorite place to do it is in their crib. And, their favorite time to do it is when they should be sleeping.
What Else Should You Check for?
Double-check that your baby’s sleep environment is extremely dark, cool, and quiet.
Know their changing sleep needs. The wake window and appropriate nap times change frequently during their first year.
Teething can definitely make a baby irritable and disrupt life a bit for a couple of days, but teething is not the culprit of poor sleep if it’s going on for weeks and weeks.
Is your baby waking from hunger? By this age, most babies should have no problem sleeping 11-12 hours without a feed if they are a good weight and healthy. But, when a baby starts to eat solids it’s important to make sure they are still getting the majority of their nutritional content from breast milk or formula. If they are filling up on solids, they could be waking from hunger.
What To Do To Get Sleep Back On Track
You’ve gone through a checklist and made sure the environment is good, you know your baby has the appropriate amount of daytime sleep and naps, you’ve checked for a tooth popping through, and are confident in their milk intake. Now what?
Be consistent. Your babe might need a week or two to work through this developmental milestone. Be consistent with your check-ins. Don’t be overly stimulating. Don’t allow new habits to creep in that you will later have to break. If you don’t feed your baby to sleep, don’t start now. If your baby isn’t relying on rocking to get to bed, don’t make it the new way. Be consistent and patient, and your baby will go back to being a great sleeper.
But, if it’s been weeks or even months, or if your baby was never a good sleeper, consider sleep training. I help families get sleep intact in just a few days. Book a call with me and we can chat about a plan that fits your family.