Sleep between 8-12 months

The 8 month progression usually occurs between 7-9m. A lot is happening in your child’s world; they’ve likely started to drop the third nap if they haven’t already, they may have mastered a new skill like crawling, their solid food intake has probably increased, teeth are coming thick and fast and they have developed a strong attachment to loved one’s causing some separation anxiety when you are apart. 

What can impact the 8 month regression? 

• around this age your little one will drop their third nap (between 4-5pm) and need an earlier bedtime to combat over-tiredness 
• they might have learnt to bum shuffle, commando crawl or crawl on all fours. Or maybe they are now pulling up on furniture and standing 
• there could be a big change in their speech and you’ll find them babbling for hours in the middle of the night 
• separation anxiety from loved ones and fear of strangers emerges (object permanence has developed)
• at this age you may be introducing a third solid meal and increasing their protein intake which can all affect their sleep. 
• teeth can start to pop through, causing a few days of unsettledness for some babies 

 

What does the 8 month regression look like? 

• you might notice that your baby is waking for long periods overnight and practising their new skill such as rocking on all fours or standing up and down in the cot 
• you might find that they are having shorter naps and waking more overnight 
• games such as hide and seek, peek a boo and any fun activity where you pop out of sight but reappear will show you little one that you are never far away