Between 8 and 10 months, many babies go through a sleep disruption often labeled as the 9 month sleep regression. It is not just a coincidence that your little one started crawling and suddenly is up throughout the night and early in the morning. Are they stuck in a seated position, sleeping in the crib? Are they blabbing away at 3 AM? We are here to help you navigate the 8 to 10 month sleep regression.
What is the 9 Month Sleep Regression?
A regression is a temporary period of disrupted sleep patterns in infants. It is a very normal part of early childhood development. You may have been here before; at 4 months or 6 months. Typically, sleep regressions resolve within a few weeks, but what are the signs that you are deeply entrenched in a regression?
Common Signs of 9 Month Sleep Regression
These are typical signs of a regression around this age. You may see ALL of these signs, or a few:
- Shortened or skipped naps (nap resistance)
- Bedtime fussing and taking longer to fall asleep
- Increased night wakings or early morning rising
- Increase clinginess and resistance to separation
- Appetite changes or disruptive feeding cycles
So why is there a temporary period of disrupted sleep patterns? It’s truly a massive leap in development (which is a great thing!). Here are some milestones, leaps, and transitions that could be the culprit.
9 Month Milestones
Developmental milestones (mobility milestones) and cognitive leaps can really throw a wrench into optimal sleep. Crawling, cruising, and early standing (maybe even some walking), can all disrupt sleep. Babies want to practice 24/7, including during naps and overnight. Around the 9 month age, infants will become more aware of object permanence and begin showing signs of separation anxiety. It can really pull on your heartstrings when they wake seeking your comfort.
A big shift in nap schedule can occur around 8-10 months as well. Many infants will make a solid transition from three to two naps and continue stretching their wake windows. While making this transition, naps may be shorter, causing overtiredness. A vicious cycle we all want to avoid.
Teething typically peaks around 8-10 months as well. On top of teething, many infants are adjusting to new solid foods. While exploring new foods is so much fun (seriously, I loved this stage), you may find that some foods cause indigestion and discomfort.
5 Tips to Handle the 9 Month Sleep Regression
Tip #1: Keep Your Routine Consistent
Use the same naptime and bedtime routines. These calming cues such as bath, book, and sleep sack can really help your infant expect what is coming next. Predictability should be your anchor.
Tip #2: Double Check Wake Windows
If you are following age appropriate wake windows, stick with the schedule. Don’t jump ship at the first sign of sleep disruption. Definitely double-check to make sure your child is following an appropriate schedule for their age. Even if your infant is napping great, if they are not on an appropriate schedule for their age, it can impact overnight sleep. The three to two nap transition takes time. Make sure you are capping total daytime sleep to preserve overnight sleep.
Tip #3: Encourage Skill Practice During the Day
Giving your baby plenty of time to work on crawling, standing, and sitting up in a supervised setting can be incredibly helpful. Not only will it be tiring for them, but they will be less inclined to practice during nap or overnight if they are practicing while awake.
Tip #4: Comfort Separation Anxiety
Play games like pee-a-boo and practice short separations during the day (taking a shower, going on a walk, etc.). The more you practice leaving and coming back, the better and more confident your child will feel.
Tip #5: Sleep Training Reset
If your baby used to self-soothe and sleep independently, they still can. Infants do not just lose the skill of independent sleep. Incorporating a small reset and going back to the basics you used a few months ago can really help your child get back on track. You can use a more strict method or a more gentle method based on your preference and what is best for your family.
9 Month Old Schedule
This schedule can be flexible based on your child’s wake-up and overall needs. Starting with a sweet spot of 3 hours for a wake window is most appropriate for a 9-month old. Generally, daytime sleep should be capped at 3 hours of total sleep to continue seeing optimal overnight sleep. Every child is different and this schedule may need to be adjusted based on your child’s specific needs.
Wake-Up: 6:30 AM
Nap #1 (Morning Nap): 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Nap #2 (Afternoon Nap): 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Bedtime: 6:30 PM
If your child has been skipping naps, or waking throughout the night, they will be overtired. You will have to follow an adjusted schedule for a few days with shorter wake windows and an earlier bedtime to get them out of that cycle and back on track.
Regressions are hard. It truly feels like you are losing pieces of your sanity. You are questioning every wake window and every decision you’ve made. Take a breath and give yourself grace. Regressions too shall pass. Use our tips above to help get through the harder days, and if things really feel off the rails, try a complete reset.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your little one having difficulty self-soothing during a regression? 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:
“Danielle helped us sleep train our 9 month old into sleeping 10-11 hours a night WITHOUT waking. Our 8 month old would wake multiple times a night and was a horrible napper. She is now consistent with her naps and not “eating to sleep” every nap and every wake during the night. We were hesitant on “sleep training” but it was the best thing we ever did (For our daughter and for ourselves). Not only are we happier as parents, but we can see our daughter happier getting the rest she needs. We couldn’t recommend or love Danielle more!!”
Mom of 9-Month-Old