How to Slay the 8-10 Month Old Baby Sleep Regression

If you're in the thick of it, you're likely no stranger to sleep regression. One day, your baby is sleeping through the night, and the next, you're waking up more often than you'd like to remember. It’s particularly common around the 8-10 month mark, where sleep regressions are notorious for wreaking havoc on both your baby’s and your own sleep schedules.

But before you lose hope, it’s important to know this phase is temporary. With the right strategies, you can navigate these challenging weeks and get back to those peaceful nights. Let’s dive deep into what sleep regression at 8-9-10 months is all about, why it happens, and how to manage it.

What Is Sleep Regression?

Sleep regression refers to a period when a baby who has been sleeping well suddenly starts waking up frequently during the night or refuses naps during the day. These regressions are often linked to developmental milestones, growth spurts, or changes in their environment.

Why Does Sleep Regression Happen at 8-10 Months?

There are several reasons why sleep regression tends to peak around the 8-10 month period. At this stage, your baby is hitting important developmental milestones, including:

1) Physical Development: Your little one is likely learning to crawl, stand, or even attempting their first steps. All of this new physical activity can disrupt their sleep as their body and mind adjust to their growing mobility.

2) Cognitive Development: Around this time, babies undergo significant brain development. They start learning how to better understand the world, process language, and become more aware of their surroundings. This can lead to a heightened sense of separation anxiety, making it harder for them to settle back into sleep when they wake up.

3) Sleep Pattern Changes: Around 10 months, babies often transition from three naps a day to two. This change in their daytime sleep pattern can cause some disturbances at night.

4) Teething: The 8-9-10 month period is also a common time for teething, which can cause discomfort and make it difficult for babies to sleep soundly.

Signs of Sleep Regression in 8-10 Month Old Babies

Recognizing the signs of sleep regression can help you address it more effectively. Some common signs include:

• Increased Night Wakings: Your baby, who used to sleep for long stretches at night, may now wake up several times.
• Shorter Naps: Naps may become shorter or more inconsistent, leaving your baby overtired by the end of the day.
• Fussiness or Irritability: With disrupted sleep comes crankiness, making it difficult for both you and your baby to manage daily activities.
• Clinginess or Separation Anxiety: Your baby might become more clingy during this time, possibly experiencing separation anxiety, making it harder to leave them alone in their crib.
• Difficulty Falling Asleep: Even though your baby may seem tired, getting them to fall asleep may feel like a battle, whether for naps or at night.

How to Manage the 8-10 Month Sleep Regression

So, how can you help your baby (and yourself) get through this challenging time? Here are some tips and strategies:

1. Stick to a Consistent Sleep Routine

One of the best ways to navigate a baby sleep regression is by maintaining consistency. Create a predictable bedtime routine that signals to your baby that it’s time for sleep. This might include:

• A warm bath
• Reading a calming story
• Gentle rocking or singing

Consistency helps reinforce your baby’s natural sleep cues, even during periods of disruption.

2. Ensure Proper Nap Times

During this phase, it’s common for naps to be affected. However, maintaining an appropriate nap schedule is essential to prevent overtiredness, which can make nighttime sleep even more challenging. Most 8-10 month old benefit from two naps a day, with about 2-3 hours of total daytime sleep.

Pay attention to your baby’s sleep cues. If they seem tired, rubbing their eyes, or becoming fussy, they may need a nap. Try to avoid letting them become overtired, as this can make it harder for them to fall asleep.

3. Offer Comfort for Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is normal at this stage. Babies are starting to understand that they are independent from their parents, which can lead to feelings of insecurity at bedtime. Offering reassurance without creating sleep dependencies can help.

You can try the following strategies:

• Stay calm and offer comforting words when they wake up.
• If they’re waking because of anxiety, consider staying in the room for a few minutes until they calm down, without picking them up immediately.
• Introduce a comforting object, such as a soft blanket or toy, to help them feel secure when they wake up.

4. Manage Teething Pain

If teething is disrupting sleep, there are ways to help ease your baby’s discomfort:

• Offer a cold, teething-safe toy before bedtime to soothe their gums.
• Massage their gums gently with a clean finger.

Addressing teething discomfort can help reduce night waking and improve your baby’s sleep quality.

5. Encourage Self-Soothing

Teaching your baby to self-soothe is a crucial step in managing sleep regressions. This skill will help them fall back asleep independently when they wake during the night. Try placing them in their crib drowsy but awake so they can learn to fall asleep on their own.

If they wake up, give them a few moments to try and settle themselves before rushing in. This will encourage them to rely on their own self-soothing techniques, rather than needing you to rock or feed them back to sleep every time.

6. Be Patient and Stay Positive

Sleep regressions are tough, but they are temporary. Remember that your baby is going through a lot of developmental changes, and with time, their sleep will stabilize. Stay positive, be patient, and try to take care of your own well-being during this phase. If you’re exhausted, don’t hesitate to ask for help from your partner, family, or friends.

When to Seek Help

While sleep regressions are common, if your baby’s sleep issues persist beyond a few weeks or seem unusually severe, it might be worth discussing with your GP. Sleep disruptions could occasionally indicate other underlying issues such as a medical condition or food sensitivity.

Conclusion

The 8-10 month sleep regression can feel overwhelming, but understanding why it happens and knowing how to address it will make a world of difference. Stick to a consistent routine, offer comfort and security, and practice patience as you guide your baby through this temporary phase. With the right strategies in place, both you and your baby will soon return to restful nights and more peaceful days.

After all, this is just another chapter in the beautiful (though sometimes tiring) journey of parenthood.

P.S The tips & tricks we write about are suggestions only, we are not trained experts!