The 8-9-10 month sleep regression can be a very frustrating and exhausting period of time when your baby starts to have trouble falling asleep, wakes up at night, and takes shorter naps. It starts around 8 months old and lasts 3 to 6 weeks. It’s known as the “8-month sleep regression,” “9-month sleep regression,” and/or the “10-month sleep regression.” Today, you’ll learn all about this sleep regression. We’ll also and 10 tips for surviving, based on our experience of over 15 years working with families just like yours.
8-Month Sleep Regression: What It Is and Why Does It Happen?
If you suspect your baby might be hitting the 8-month sleep regression, you’re not alone! Thousands of parents research this regression each month and your entire sleep routine can be turned on its head.
Maybe your sleep problems are new after your baby was sleeping through the night. Or, maybe you feel like you never quite recovered from the 4-month sleep regression. Regardless of how they were sleeping before this, you might be struggling now.
The primary cause of the 8-month sleep regression is due to rapid growth and brain development. Your baby may be crawling, scooting, sitting up, pulling up, and/or cruising. It can be even more challenging when your baby starts standing in the crib and won’t sleep!
Aside from physical skills, your baby is also absorbing your language and beginning to put things into categories. For example, they are learning something is a cat, regardless of color or size. This is also connected to Mental Leap 6 if you follow the Wonder Weeks.
When your brain is busy, it can be very difficult to sleep, of course!
Here are the reasons this sleep regression happens with more details below:
- Schedule Change – Your 8 Month Old Baby Schedule might be changing. Your baby could be dropping their third catnap which can be brutal. Be sure to put them on a 2-nap schedule such as our sample 9-month old schedule or 10-month old schedule.
- Developmental Milestones – As described above, your baby’s newfound mobility and mental leaps can make sleep very difficult.
- Separation Anxiety – When your baby goes through a lot of changes, they tend to like to be close to you to help them through it.
- Teething – This is a common age for one or more teeth to cut through the gums which can be uncomfortable.
Signs of the 8 Month Sleep Regression
Signs your baby is going through this regression could include your baby starts having trouble falling asleep at night, waking up at night, taking shorter naps, separation anxiety, irritability, and clinginess. Many weeks when a baby is having trouble sleeping can be exhausting for your entire family and shorter naps mean less time for you to do things during the day and that can be frustrating!
On top of the developmental milestones, many 8-month old babies are also getting their first teeth or more teeth. Babies get teeth on and off for a good two years!
And, even more than developmental leaps and teeth, many 8-month old babies are transitioning from three naps to two naps. An 8 month old schedule often includes three naps but not always. The 9 month old sleep schedule has just two naps.
And, when your baby is going through a lot of changes, you can bet they don’t want to be apart from you very much. Some changes can feel exciting yet possibly a little unnerving! So, we see separation anxiety peak around this time, too.
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When Does the 8 Month Sleep Regression Start and End?
The 8-month sleep regression starts at 8 months old and lasts 3 to 6 weeks, on average. This sleep regression can start early at 7 months old though it’s not as common. At 7 months old, we see separation anxiety begins, though. Of course, this can start to feel like your baby is going through a never-ending sleep regression from 7 to 10 months old!
Can This Sleep Regression Start Early?
Yes, in some cases, we see the 8 month sleep regression start at 7 months old though it’s not as common. Parents may be searching for a 7-month sleep regression. All babies develop on their unique timetable so if your baby is experiencing a 7-month sleep regression, it’s likely the 8-month one simply started early.
What Is The 9 Month Sleep Regression?
The 9 month old sleep regression is really a continuation of the 8 month sleep regression when your baby is learning so many new skills. All babies develop at their own rate so it’s possible this regression doesn’t start until 9 months old, but it’s really the same. Since sleep regressions last 3 to 6 weeks, on average, this particular sleep regression can span over the 9th month and sometimes the 10th month depending on when it started.
What else can be happening with your 9 month old?
If your baby didn’t transition to two naps by 8 months, they most certainly have at 9 months. In addition, your more mobile baby likely needs to add another solid meal into their daytime schedule as they are burning through calories at a more rapid pace. We sometimes see babies increase their night feedings again around this age so you’ll want to make some adjustments to your daytime schedule.
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What Is The 10 Month Sleep Regression?
The 10-month-old sleep regression is the culmination of the 8-month and 9-month sleep regressions when your baby has finished this developmental leap. Your baby is likely much more adept at moving their body and being mobile. Before they complete the sleep regression, they may find it irresistible to stand up in their crib.
How Long Do These Sleep Regressions Last?
Again, most sleep regressions last 3 to 6 weeks, on average.
I know all too well how 6 weeks can feel like an eternity when you aren’t sleeping! With the 4-month sleep regression, your baby permanently changed how exactly she sleeps. The 8 month sleep regression isn’t a permanent change to how your baby sleeps. Luckily, it’s temporary. That doesn’t make it any less exhausting, of course!
How Much Sleep Do 8, 9, and 10 Month Olds Need?
8-month-old, 9-month-old, and 10-month-old babies all still need 11-12 hours of sleep at night and 2-3 hours during the day. As with all developmental milestones, night sleep can be disrupted while your baby is going through this developmental leap. Either they are too busy practicing their new skills (either by choice or impulsively) or their brain is just too wired to settle down. Ever have a big meeting, graduation, wedding, or event the next day and can’t sleep? You can relate.
Your 8 or 9-month-old is also likely going through a nap transition and losing the third catnap. As with most nap transitions, this makes your baby overtired and often even fussier than usual during this sleep regression. Finding a new age-appropriate baby nap schedule can be even more challenging during this sleep regression not only because of the nap transition but also due to the fact that the sleep regression can disrupt naps just like night sleep.
Is he not napping because you are trying naps at the wrong time or is it because he is too busy practicing his new skill?
Doubts can mount during this time and you might lose confidence in your parenting ability. Your baby might be clingier and fussier because she’s tired and these new changes can make her feel more insecure. Have no fear, there is likely nothing wrong with your parenting or your baby!
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Can You Do Sleep Training During This Regression?
Yes, although it’s not an ideal time for sleep training, if you don’t try to avoid long-term habits, both you and the baby can lose a lot of sleep during this time period. Sleep training during the 8 month sleep regression can take a lot of patience but can be very successful.
10 Tips to Handle The 8 Month Sleep Regression
Here are a few tips based on our experience working with families for over 15 years. (These are in no particular order.)
- Put your baby on the right 8 month schedule, 9 month schedule, or 10 month schedule. Although the right schedule is only one piece of the puzzle, it can make a huge difference in better sleep! Not sure how many naps? Use our Baby Nap Chart.
- Make sure your baby’s room is conducive to sleep including using a white noise machine, room-darkening blinds or curtains, and a comfortable room temperature.
- Get medical advice from your baby’s doctor. Occasionally, sleep can unravel for a medical reason such as an ear infection.
- Assuming your baby is healthy, don’t assume everything is due to the 8 month sleep regression – If your baby had sleep problems at 5 months, 6 months, or 7 months, then it’s unlikely that it’s this sleep regression at the root of your sleep problems, now. You likely have a lingering problem that needs to be addressed.
- Don’t assume everything is teething for similar reasons.
- If sleep problems are new to you, be careful about making a new long-term habit such as co-sleeping if that’s not what you want. As I mentioned above, this could be as short as a 3-week phase, but new habits or routines can last for months, or even years. Consistency is still important.
- Be patient – Your baby will only go through this particular developmental leap once (thankfully), so try to help her through it as best you can. Keep in mind that we can’t always remove our baby’s discomfort, but we can be there for support.
- Offer support to your 8 month old, 9 month old, or 10 month old, but try to continue with your sleep coaching as much as feels right to you. That means offer extra support just like you may help your baby solve a puzzle. But do let them do some of it on their own, so they can continue learning.
- If you never did cry it out before, this is probably not the time to try it. Instead, I recommend reviewing all the various sleep training methods.
- Have a teething protocol to follow in case your baby is cutting tooth after tooth.
I hope this post gives you a glimpse of what your 8, 9, or 10 month old is going through. I still believe that a baby can learn how to sleep better during this time. Keep in mind it might not be perfect, and that is okay. You can still start to lay the foundation, create new routines, and build confidence in her abilities. Getting more sleep will help her cope with the changes and likely help with any additional fussiness, too. If she can’t nap well, but she’s sleeping well at night, that will help bridge the gap. The vice versa is also true if she’s having trouble sleeping at night, but napping better.
Adding more sleep deprivation will usually only make this phase more difficult for all of you. I don’t always recommend waiting it out.
In my 15+ years of experience as a sleep consultant, I get e-mails every day from parents of babies of all ages and some parents of toddlers are still “waiting it out.” Don’t wait until the toddler sleep regression to make a change. Just like it’s never a perfect time to have a baby, it’s never a perfect time to make a change in sleep habits!
8 Month Sleep Regression Case Study
Want more information about how to help your 8 month old sleep well? Check out our detailed case study about Carrie, Ben, and their 8 month old Elliot.
Read how they helped Elliot sleep through the night and take better naps. And how they helped change those sleep associations that were keeping him awake! Join our VIP Members Area, and access the case study instantly. And that’s not all! Our VIP Members Area is packed with additional premium content and resources. It includes: e-Books, assessments, more case studies, live chats with a sleep consultant, and more. And it actually costs much less to join than buying products separately!
For more guidance on handling the 8-10 month sleep regression, check out more special resources in our VIP Members Area:
- The 8-10 Month Sleep Regression Survival Guide [EXPANDED MEMBERS-ONLY EDITION]
- 8 Month Sleep Regression Case Study (With Breastfeeding Associations, Napping Problems, and Medical Concerns)
- Sleep Regressions audio course
- The 3-Step System to Help Your Baby Sleep e-book
How Do You Know When the 8 Month Sleep Regression Is Over?
Well, you don’t really. If you have developed some new sleep habits you’re not fond of, you may need to change those habits. Keep in mind that we have the wisdom your 8 month old baby may not have. It’s one thing for the entire family to lose sleep for one week. Week after week of not-enough-sleep is not healthy for anyone. I work with families every day who start sleep coaching during this time period.
8, 9, or 10 Month Sleep Regression – We’re here to help!
Related posts:
18 Month Sleep Regression: Why It’s One of the Hardest and Tips to Handle
4 Month Sleep Regression Checklist: What To Do Before, During, and After the 4 Month Sleep Regression
10 Month Sleep Regression: Cause, Signs, and Fixes
12 Month Sleep Regression and Why Not All 12 Month Olds Transition to One Nap
Is it possible for this sleep regression to start earlier? I know for sure that we experienced the 4 months sleep regression right at 4 months old. However, my baby is now 6 and a half months old, and can sit up, crawl, and pull her self into a standing position using just about anything, and is also eating solids. I’m finding we’re having a difficult time getting her to go to sleep, all she wants to do is pull herself up on the side of her pack n play and stare at us.
Hi @Teri Morris, thanks for writing to us. Yes, sleep regressions can certainly start earlier, but I’ll also mention that meeting physical milestones like your baby is experiencing can definitely disrupt sleep as well. One app I really enjoyed having when my babies were little was the Wonder Weeks, and I often found it to be very spot on and would indicate fussier/more challenging periods because of different phases of development my baby was going through. Here’s an article we have about the Wonder Weeks: https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-sleep-patterns/wonder-weeks-chart-baby-toddler-sleep/
If you need more help with this, let us know! We have a ton of other resources we’d be happy to send your way should you need it. I hope things improve soon!
Baby #2 has been a decent sleeper since he was 9 weeks old and was sleeping 9 hour stretches. Of course the 4 month regression got us, but we got past it and he was waking up only once between 7p-7a around 3-4 a.m.
He’s almost 9 months old and a few nights ago was up like FOUR times! He would not go back to sleep without nursing, which I just gave in and let him because ZZZZZZZZ we have a toddler and I just need some rest. I went with what was easiest!
The past two nights, the waking has gotten less. I was very close to calling the doctor because I was convinced he has an ear infection, but now I think it’s just developmental or possibly teething because he has his top and bottom front teeth but it’s been a while since any new ones have come in — so we are due for more!
Anyway… this is for all the parents who are doubting themselves. Just hang in there and get through this. Our kiddo is pretty easy going at bedtime. I can lay him down fully awake and he puts himself to sleep. He has been this way since a very young age, so that’s been helpful as far as bedtime goes. Night wakes, we just sort of work through when they become more frequent and it usually goes back to once a night after a week or two. I think once a night is pretty typical for a breastfed baby at 8.5 months & honestly it’s doable for us for now.
Hi @Megan – Thanks for writing with your encouraging words for other parents!! We hope that things continue to go well and any new speedbumps that you experience, due to the 8, 9, or 10 month old sleep regression, teething, or anything else are short lived and easy to get through! Good luck and thanks again!
Hi Everyone,
My 8 month old baby is waking up after every hour. She sleeps in her baby cot next to our bed. Sometimes she demands a feed and sometimes she goes back to sleep patting her in my arms. Put she refuses to sleep if I pat her in her cot without picking her up. My daughter slept through the night (11pm – 6 am) from 2 to 5 months and once sleep regression hit us, she keeps getting up after every 2 hours. I am exhausted as I have also resumed work now. Please help I don know what to do to make this situation better
Hi @Shohini – Sorry to hear that your little one is waking so often! That is SO tough!!! It sounds like you are ready for some help in teaching your 8 month old to learn to fall asleep on her own! We can definitely help with this! Check out our one on one consultation packages here:
https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-toddler-sleep-consulting-services
And please contact us if you have any questions!
Hello. My recently turned 10 months old baby has been refusing to take his second nap since he was 9 months 2 weeks. He just keeps babbling to himself or just rocking in the crib. Or some days, he may nap, after being awake for 49 minutes. I have been consistent with the time and done the same thing, he just wouldn’t take the nap. What can I do. He needs his nap
Hi Kemi,
Thank you for your comment and for visiting The Baby Sleep Site! I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with your 10 month-old’s sleep. You could be dealing with the 10 month regression, which can be a difficult time, but is temporary, usually only last 2-4 weeks. However, the nap refusal could also be a scheduling issue, depending on when you’re trying to nap him. We have a sample 10 month-old schedule here you can compare with yours: https://www.babysleepsite.com/schedules/10-month-old-schedule/
I hope this helps, but if you need more resources, please do email us at [email protected]!
Hi all, I read a lot about why babies start waking up after every few hours at night, as my nights were getting exhausting when my baby started doing this at 9/10 months.
I then realized that I wake up if I am hungry at night- and so does my baby! This probably happens because they are growing so much, and the food that was enough to last them 5 hours at night in the previous months is just not enough anymore
I decided to try to feed her proper meals at night so that she’s full. Guess what, it worked!! Now she wakes up only once or twice for a feed.
This is in no way a medical advise. This is a person opinion and trial that worked. I wanted to share my experience which might be helpful for many new mums.
Hi @Pooja, thanks for sharing what you’ve found works for you! I’m so glad your baby is sleeping better!
Hi there!
I have a 2 year old and a 7 month old that still sleeps in our room in a cradle. We would love to transition him to a crib in his big brothers room, but are worried big brother might be harmful (with good intentions). So for now our only option is to have my 7month old in the room with us.
He used to sleep very well (9/10 hour stretches) and recently he has been waking up 2-3 times every night and won’t go back to sleep with out being fed. I don’t mind feeding him once per night, but 2/3 times seems excessive! We haven’t tried crying it out with him because it seems impossible when I’m 6 feet away and he can see/smell/hear me.
Not really sure what to do. Should we get a video monitor and just try putting him in his big brothers room? Should I let him cry it out in the same room as us? I’m worried I’m setting him (and myself!) up for bad sleep habits in the future.
Thank you!!
Hi @Amy – Thank you for writing! Sorry to hear that your 7 month old has been waking up to three times for a feed! You are free to work on slowly weaning a night feed or two as you work on feeding him more in the daytime to compensate. Whether you do this while in your room or after you move him in with his brother is up to you! Many families have done it both ways. A video monitor will certainly help you feel better with knowing exactly what is going on in their room, or you could even move your toddler out temporarily while you help the 7 year old learn to sleep in their soon to be shared room. We also help families that room share, and still can work on teaching your little guy while in the same room with a room divider or just a make-shift curtain, if you are trying to not be in view. White noise can help in any of these situations too!
If you would like help creating a specific plan, and help sticking with it, please contact us or consider a one on one consultation package with one of our awesome consultants! You can read about all of our sleep consultation packages here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/services
Hang in there Amy!
Thank you so much for the helpful insight! This is my first baby and I wasn’t aware of sleep regression at this age. My (almost) 10 month old has begun waking at night, and ruling all else out I am certain that she is simply going through this phase. Thankyou again, your article was of the upmost help! I thought I was doing something wrong!
@Jessica, we are so glad the article was helpful! I hope this passes for you quickly and things are back on track soon!
Hi there. My 8 1/2 month old baby has been different for the 2 last weeks. I put him to bed 8 o clock every night and he wakes up after 40 minutes to 1 hour. After that he won’t let me lay him down in his own bed. He cries and cries and cries. The only thing that calms him down is to put him in our bed and sleep with him.
Before this he woked up after I put him to bed in the night, but then i breastfeed him and after, i put him in his own bed without any difficulty.
Hi @Zhilamo – Thank you for visiting our blog! I am sorry to hear that sleep has become a struggle for your 8 1/2 month old! As you have read in our 8, 9, or 10 Month Old Baby Sleep Regression article, sleep can become quite a challenge at this age. If your baby was sleeping well previously, I would suspect developmental changes such as described in this regression, disrupting his sleep. Hopefully this is just a phase and he can easily return to his usual sleep schedule! If things do not smooth out, or if you wish to work on helping him sleep in his own bed again, we can definitely help! Hang in there, and contact us if you would like more help. You can also read about all of our sleep consultation packages here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/services
Good luck Zhilamo!
My 9month baby is not sleeping at night for long hours its like something is distributing her that she keeps on waking up every 3 to 4 times at night,she can stay long hours of not sleeping and sleeps for only 30minutes and wakes up very early in the morning.
Please help me help my baby get some good sleep.
Thanks
Gladys
Hi @Gladys – Thank yo for writing and I am sorry that you are struggling with your daughters night wakings and short naps! As you’ve read in this 8,9, or 10 month sleep regression article, sleep problems are VERY common at this age. Hang in there!
As a place to start, here is a link to our sample 9 month schedule, to use as reference to be sure that she is sleeping at generally good times. https://www.babysleepsite.com/schedules/9-month-old-baby-schedule
We can definitely help with this issue, and if things do not smooth out and you would like additional help! I do believe you could benefit from one of our Sleep Consultation packages, where we will work with you on a detailed plan that you can commit to and feel good about.
You can read about all of our sleep consultation packages here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/services
Good luck Gladys and please contact us if you have any questions!
Hi! My almost 8 month old had RSV at 7 months, which lasted 2 weeks. On top of that he got 5 teeth in the last month. Before he got sick he was consistently sleeping 10-12 hours a night, and periodically waking at 3 or 4 am for a feeding. His older brother has been an excellent sleeper since 8 weeks sleeping 12 hours and never waking, so I was spoiled! So I’m at a loss right now. I’m working full time so trying to get him back on track. He was consistently waking 2 times a night, but now I think I’ve got him down to just once. How do I get him back to sleeping through the night again? He also shares a room with his two year old brother. When he wakes he doesn’t usually cry, but sucks thumb hard and makes loud noises. When I do go get him he’ll start trying to eat right away, does he really need to be eating or is he just used to it at this point?
Hi @Katie, thanks for writing to us. I’m glad your son is over RSV and is doing better now. I had a very similar situation to you with a perfect angel baby older boy, and then my second son gave me some more trouble after a long stretch of being super great like his big brother. (What is with the 2nd boy? 😉 ) Some babies do need one feeding a night through 9 months, or may even a year. (12 months was the case for my second no matter how hard I tried.) I’m sure that’s not the answer you were hoping for, but you may hold off trying to wean him from that night feeding for another month or so, then try again. Hopefully he will go back to his old habits soon but he may just need a little top off with all the teething and growing, also likely extra movement and energy he’s exerting through the day. I hope things pass quickly!
Hi there,, my 8 1/2 month old has never slept through,, at around 4-6 months she was only waking up twice for a bottle and would sleep maybe 6 hours before waking. She would cat nap through the day and have 4 1/2hr or 45 min naps in a day.
But now she is waking several times during the night and having 2 full bottles of 180-200mls each time, she is very unsettled, sometimes she can put herself back to sleep but mostly I’m going in to her room and resettling her.
Would this be the sleep regression, I’m lost and need advice, I hear of all these babies sleeping through the night and I’ve never experienced that.
Hi @Jodie, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with your daughter’s night time sleep. I know it’s especially hard as a mom to not compared everything to other parents and babies (that is one of my biggest struggles as a mom!) but try not to be discouraged just because other kids are doing it. At 8 1/2 months old many babies can sleep through the night, while others need 1 feeding at night through a year. We have a free guide available to help provide tips to get your baby sleeping through the night (or with the appropriate amount of night wakings) that you can download here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-through-night-free-ebook/
It will help you learn how to troubleshoot those wake ups. If you need more specific advise than the article provides, I’d suggest working with one of our incredible sleep consultants and they can give you specific advise for your baby and situation and will provide as much support as you need. To see the different options available please visit here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-toddler-sleep-consulting-services/
or contact us directly at [email protected] at anytime and we will help you pick out the package that’s best for you. Hang in there! I hope this helps.