8-10 Month Sleep Regression: What to Expect and How to Handle It
Just when you thought you had sleep figured out, your 8-10 month old is suddenly waking multiple times a night, fighting naps, and seeming generally unsettled. Welcome to the 8-10 month sleep regression.
This regression can feel especially hard because you've likely had some good sleep by now. Understanding what's driving it can help you cope.
What Causes This Regression? AAP
Major developmental changes:
1. Separation anxiety peaks:
- Baby understands object permanence
- Knows you exist when not visible
- Becomes distressed when you leave
- Night wakings may involve checking if you're there
2. Motor development explosion:
- Crawling, pulling up, cruising
- Baby wants to practice constantly
- May stand in crib and not know how to get down
- Brain is busy processing new skills
3. Language development:
- Understanding more words
- May be babbling more
- Brain is working overtime
- Sleep can be disrupted while processing
4. Nap transition brewing:
- May be ready to drop from 3 to 2 naps
- Or schedule needs adjusting
- Undertired or overtired can cause problems
Signs of the 8-10 Month Regression NSF
Sleep changes:
- Waking more frequently at night
- Taking longer to fall asleep at bedtime
- Fighting naps
- Standing/sitting in crib instead of sleeping
- More restless sleep
- Earlier morning waking
Behavioral changes:
- More clingy during day
- Protests when you leave room
- Wants to be held more
- Fussier than usual
- More active, always moving
Positive signs (it's not all bad!):
- Pulling up, cruising, maybe crawling
- More interactive and social
- Understanding cause and effect
- Clearer communication (gestures, sounds)
How Long Does It Last? AAP
Typical timeline:
- Usually 3-6 weeks
- Can be shorter if baby was sleeping well before
- Can be longer with multiple developmental changes
- Often resolves once major skill is mastered
What affects duration:
- How you respond (consistency helps)
- Whether baby is also learning to walk
- If schedule adjustments are needed
- Baby's temperament
Coping Strategies NSF
For separation anxiety:
Practice during the day:
- Play peek-a-boo (you come back!)
- Leave room briefly, return with smile
- Gradually extend separations
- Always come back—builds trust
At bedtime:
- Reassure baby but don't linger indefinitely
- Consistent goodbye routine
- Check on baby at intervals if needed
- Baby needs to learn you always come back
Comfort object:
- Now safe to introduce a small lovey AAP
- Choose something safe (no buttons, ribbons)
- Keep in crib for sleep only
- Can provide comfort when you're not there
For motor development:
Practice during the day:
- Lots of floor time to practice crawling
- Help baby practice sitting down from standing
- Tiring out those new muscles
- New skills need practice time
In the crib:
- If baby is standing and stuck, gently lay them down
- Don't make it a game
- Keep it boring
- Baby will figure out how to get down
Safe sleep environment:
- Lower mattress if baby is pulling up
- Remove any hazards baby could climb on
- Nothing in crib baby could use to climb out
For the nap transition:
Signs baby is ready to drop to 2 naps:
- Fighting third nap consistently
- Third nap pushes bedtime too late
- Taking forever to fall asleep
- Around 7-9 months
How to transition:
- Gradually push morning nap later
- Increase wake windows
- Offer earlier bedtime to compensate
- Takes 1-2 weeks usually
Managing Night Wakings AAP
What to do:
Give baby a minute:
- Pause before responding
- Baby may settle on their own
- Especially if just whimpering, not full crying
Respond consistently:
- Pick a method and stick to it
- Whether you go in immediately or wait at intervals
- Consistency helps baby know what to expect
Keep it boring:
- Low light, minimal talking
- Brief comfort, then leave
- Don't make night exciting
Don't start new habits:
- Avoid bringing baby to your bed (unless you want to)
- Don't start extra feeds you'll need to wean later
- Temporary regressions don't need permanent solutions
For separation-related waking:
- Go in, reassure briefly, leave
- May need to repeat several times
- Baby is checking if you exist—you do
- Gets better as baby learns you're always there
What NOT to Do NSF
Don't:
- Assume something is wrong with your baby
- Completely change your approach out of desperation
- Start co-sleeping if you don't want to
- Add night feeds baby doesn't need
- Think this will last forever
Avoid:
- Inconsistent responses (confuses baby)
- Staying in room until baby sleeps (creates new association)
- Getting frustrated with baby (they can't help it)
- Comparing to other babies
Schedule Adjustments AAP
This age often needs schedule tweaks:
Sample schedule for 8-9 month old (2 naps):
- 7:00 AM - Wake
- 10:00 AM - Nap 1 (about 3 hour wake window)
- 2:00 PM - Nap 2 (about 3 hour wake window)
- 7:00 PM - Bedtime (about 3.5-4 hour wake window)
What to check:
- Are wake windows appropriate? (Usually 3-4 hours at this age)
- Is total daytime sleep okay? (2.5-3 hours typical)
- Is bedtime appropriate? (Not too late)
- Is baby overtired or undertired?
Common issues at this age:
- Wake windows too short (undertired)
- Still on 3 naps when ready for 2
- Bedtime too late
- First nap too early (reinforces early waking)
Self-Care for Parents
This is hard. Really hard.
Remember:
- This is temporary
- Your baby isn't broken
- You're not doing anything wrong
- All babies go through regressions
Coping strategies:
- Take turns with partner for night waking
- Accept help from family
- Lower your standards for everything else
- Get outside during the day
- Connect with other parents going through it
- Prioritize your own sleep when you can
Watch for:
- Signs of parental burnout
- Postpartum depression/anxiety symptoms
- Marital strain
- Seek help if needed—this is a vulnerable time
When to Worry AAP
Normal regression vs. something else:
Normal:
- Coincides with developmental changes
- Baby is meeting milestones
- Still happy during the day
- Eating well
- Pattern started around 8-10 months
See your pediatrician if:
- Baby seems sick or in pain
- Fever, ear pulling (ear infection can cause night waking)
- Not eating well
- Regression lasts more than 6 weeks with no improvement
- Baby's development concerns you
What Other Parents Ask
Q: My 8-month-old was sleeping through the night. Why is this happening now?
A: This is classic regression timing. Baby's brain is going through major development (separation anxiety, motor skills). Sleep temporarily suffers while brain is busy. It will improve.
Q: Should I sleep train during a regression?
A: Mixed opinions. Some say wait until regression passes. Others say it's fine to be consistent with your approach. If baby wasn't sleeping well before regression, addressing sleep now is reasonable. NSF
Q: My baby stands in the crib and won't lie down. What do I do?
A: Gently lay baby down once. Then let them figure it out. If you keep laying them down, it becomes a game. Practice sitting down from standing during the day.
Q: Is this regression worse than the 4-month one?
A: Different causes. 4-month is biological sleep change. 8-10 month is developmental (separation anxiety, motor skills). For some families this one feels worse because expectations are higher. AAP
Q: Will this affect my baby's long-term sleep?
A: No. With consistent response, babies come through regressions and return to good sleep. What you do during regression matters—try not to create new habits you don't want long-term.
The Bottom Line
The 8-10 month sleep regression is driven by separation anxiety and major motor development. Your baby's brain is going through significant changes, and sleep suffers temporarily. With consistency and patience, this phase passes—usually within 3-6 weeks.
Key points:
- Caused by separation anxiety + motor development
- Usually lasts 3-6 weeks
- Stay consistent in your approach
- Practice separations and new skills during the day
- Adjust schedule if needed (may be ready for 2 naps)
- This is temporary—it will pass
Clara is here to help you get through this challenging phase.