A baby’s 6th month marks a milestone for a variety of reasons. Not only is it the halfway point to your baby hitting that 1 year birthday but there are also many developmental milestones and changes that can occur around this time. As parents you can expect to see changes in your little one’s activity and of course that can extend to sleep habits as well. We understand that 6 month sleep regressions can be challenging for parents.
6 Month Sleep Regression
At the 6 month mark there are a variety of changes you can expect to see. Generally speaking 6 months is when you will begin to start your infant on solids, if you haven’t already. You can also expect to see changes in your baby’s ability to sit unsupported at 6 months. It’s important to note that this can definitely vary widely from baby to baby. You will notice that it might become harder to keep your little one stimulated as they grow, generally speaking you can try to use toys/activities that help to increase both large/small motor skills along with social, intellectual and language skill development.
Some of the common developmental causes of the 6 month sleep regression can include:
- Baby rolling from front to front or front to back
- The start of baby scooting around on their stomach/ crawling
- An increased desire to try to communicate by linking sounds together
- Beginning of teething
- The start of separation anxiety
What Is 6 Month Sleep Regression?
As babies grow, their development can happen at an uneven pace, which can end up resulting in periods when their sleep seems to hit a plateau or get worse, this is known as sleep regression in babies. Where an infant may have been able to sleep through the night before the 6 month mark, you may start to notice that they are waking up/fussing after a few hours instead.
There are oftentimes multiple factors can affect infant sleep, and it can be hard to identify one single cause for a sleep regression. With an increase in their physical abilities and mental and environmental awareness, they may be more sensitive to overstimulation, separation anxiety, or other disturbances that can affect their sleep. With sleep consolidation, parents may be adjusting sleep schedules or routines, and it may take a baby time to acclimate to change. It’s important to remember that this is all part of normal development for infants.
6-Month Sleep Regression Signs
- Regressions can include shorter naps- while naps may have been
- The opposite can also occur with longer naps resulting in less sleep at night
- Difficulty falling asleep in the first place
- Increased irritability / crying during nighttime awakenings
- Increased wakeful periods during the night (night wakings) that may involve increased difficulty in falling back asleep
How Long Does 6 Month Sleep Regression Last?
The duration of these symptoms can vary significantly from one infant to another. The general timeframe for any sleep regression is around 2-6 weeks. In most cases, symptoms of a six-month sleep regression are short lived especially if parents are able to implement healthy and age appropriate sleep tips. It is important to maintain consistency as much as possible throughout this time. These sleep issues often resolve within a few days or a few weeks, although sometimes a plateau in sleep for infants can continue for longer.
Something that should be comforting to hear is that sleep regression is only a phase, and will eventually pass. Your response can help to shorten the regression, and a commitment to a consistent routine can help speed up the process of getting them back to sleeping well. While this phase is nothing to be alarmed about it is oftentimes helpful to mention it to the doctor at your baby’s routine check-up. It is worth mentioning that if you notice any troubling signs in your little one, such as inconsolable crying, poor eating habits, or decreased weight gain, you will want to talk with your baby’s pediatrician. These could all be potential signs of an underlying issue that your doctor can help you to pinpoint.
How To Deal With 6 Month Sleep Regression?
- Establish a consistent sleep routine: Baby’s love bedtime routine! This will help your baby to learn when it’s actually time to sleep and create a sense of familiarity and comfort.
- Create a calming environment: The right environment really can make all the difference when getting your baby ready for sleep. Try to have a dark, quiet, and comfortable space for your baby to sleep in. This will help them feel more secure.
- Try a white noise machine: These machines can be a godsend! White noise can help mask outside noises that may disrupt your baby’s sleep.
- Keep nighttime feedings consistent: If your baby is still being fed overnight, try to stick to a schedule. This goes back to the idea that babies experience stability and thrive on routine. Having a consistent schedule will help them to learn when it’s time to sleep and not eat.
- Practice new skills: The American Association of Pediatrics encourages tummy time! If your infant is learning how to rolling, sit, or crawl, practicing those skills during the day can really help their sleep. Otherwise, you may see disruptions to sleep while they are practicing those new skills!
- Do your best to reduce stimulation before bedtime: Try to avoid any stimulating activities before bed, such as playing or watching television. These types of stimulating activities can make it harder for your baby to fall and stay asleep.
- Be patient and consistent: This won’t last forever! Remember that this is a phase that will pass. Stay consistent with your sleep routine and your baby will eventually get back into a healthy sleep schedule.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your little one having difficulty self-soothing or sleeping independently for naps and nights? If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts, Central Michigan (Midland, Clare, Mt. Pleasant) and Traverse City, Michigan. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“Molly has been instrumental in helping my daughter get on a schedule. I started working with her when my LO was 4 months old and she was a tremendous amount of help coaching me through the “4 month sleep regression” and giving me the right tools to help guide her into be a fantastic independent sleeper. Molly listens to you/your child’s needs and does not push the traditional sleep training methods on you. She tailors her approach to fit your individual needs. In addition to, she has been helpful in adjusting her schedule as she gets older and is a great sounding board to help guide me through this journey as a first time mom. There are a lot of courses out there but the tailored approach that Molly takes with each client really sets her apart from the rest.”
-Mom of 6 Month Old