8-month sleep regression
Typical age: 8–10 months. Usually lasts: 2–6 weeks.
Why it happens
Crawling, pulling to stand and separation anxiety often peak between 8 and 10 months. The nap schedule also shifts from three naps to two. Babies who have just learned to stand may pull up in the cot and not know how to get back down.
Signs
- Standing in the cot and crying
- Fighting naps, especially the third one
- Crying when you leave the room
What helps
- Practise “up and down” during the day: guide them to bend their knees and sit from standing.
- Move to two naps with 2.5–3.5 hour wake windows.
- Play peek-a-boo and short separations to build confidence you come back.
Check the wake windows for this age in the sleep schedule builder.
When to call your pediatrician
- Fever, ear pulling with a cold, vomiting, or feeding much less
- Loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep
- No improvement after 6 weeks
- Well and happy by day, feeding and peeing normally
General guidance based on AAP, NHS and CDC advice, not a diagnosis. If your gut says something is wrong, call your pediatrician or nurse line. You never need permission to seek care.
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Questions parents ask
Is it the 8, 9 or 10-month regression?
Other sleep regressions
- 4-month sleep regression (3–5 months)
- 6-month sleep regression (6 months)
- 12-month sleep regression (11–13 months)
- 18-month sleep regression (17–19 months)
- 2-year sleep regression (2 years)