The 8-10 Month Sleep Regression: What’s Going On and How to Get Through It

​The 8-10 Month Sleep Regression: What’s Going On and How to Get Through It

If your baby has suddenly started waking more often at night, skipping naps, or fighting bedtime like never before, you might be in the thick of the 8-10 month sleep regression. And I know how exhausting that can be. As a certified pediatric sleep coach, I’ve helped hundreds of families navigate this exact phase—and I want you to know: you’re not alone, and this doesn’t have to derail your sleep forever.
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Let’s walk through what’s really going on during this stage, why it’s happening, and what you can do to survive—and even thrive—through it.

​What Is the 8-10 Month Sleep Regression?

The 8-month sleep regression (which can happen anytime between 8 and 10 months) is a totally normal, developmental stage where your baby’s sleep suddenly becomes disrupted. This might mean:

• More frequent night wakings
  
• Shorter or skipped naps
  
• Fussiness at bedtime
  
• Early morning wake-ups
  
• Clinginess or separation anxiety
  

Sound familiar? You're not imagining things. This phase can feel like a major backslide, especially if your baby was previously sleeping well.

What Causes the 8-10 Month Sleep Regression?

Several major developmental leaps happen between 8 and 10 months, and they can all impact sleep. These include:

• Crawling, pulling up, cruising: Your baby is mastering big physical milestones, and their brain is busy processing new skills—even during sleep.
  
• Cognitive development: Object permanence is emerging, which means your baby is starting to understand that you still exist even when you're not in the room. This can lead to increased separation anxiety.
  
• Nap transitions: Some babies begin transitioning from three naps to two around this age, which can temporarily disrupt daytime and nighttime sleep.
  
• Teething: It’s not always the primary cause, but if teeth are coming in, discomfort can make sleep even harder.
  

How Long Does the 8 to 10-Month Sleep Regression Last?

Most sleep regressions last around 2 to 6 weeks. But here’s the key: how you respond during this regression matters.
Without support or structure, short-term sleep struggles can become long-term habits.
If your baby is suddenly waking multiple times a night and you're rocking, feeding, or bouncing them back to sleep each time—understandably just trying to survive!—they may start to rely on those responses going forward. That’s why many families reach out to me during regressions: to stay on track and avoid forming habits that stick around long after the regression ends.

Tips to Survive the 8-10 Month Sleep Regression

​Here’s what I recommend:

1. Stay consistent with bedtime routines
   Predictability helps your baby feel secure and can ease separation anxiety.
   
2. Offer lots of daytime practice
   Let your baby crawl, pull up, and move as much as possible during awake time so they’re not trying to “practice” at 2 a.m.
   
3. Stick to an age-appropriate schedule
   Most babies this age thrive on a 2-nap schedule, with around 3 hours of awake time before bed.
   
4. Avoid forming new sleep associations
   If your baby didn’t need to be rocked or fed to sleep before, try not to introduce that now (easier said than done, I know!).
   
5. Be responsive, but not reactive
   It’s okay to comfort your baby. But respond in ways that support long-term sleep goals, rather than creating new sleep crutches.
   

Is It Really a Sleep Regression?

​Sometimes, what looks like a regression is actually a sign of an underlying sleep issue—like an overtired schedule, a reliance on sleep associations, or an inconsistent sleep environment. If your child has never been a good sleeper, or things were already tough before this regression hit, it’s worth asking:
Is this truly a temporary phase—or has sleep been a struggle for a while?

If you’re not sure, I invite you to book a 30-minute Ask Me Any Thing Call with me. We’ll talk through what’s going on and figure out whether your little one is experiencing a short-term regression… or if it’s time to get personalized support.
👉 Book Ask Me Anything Call

Need Help Getting Through the 8-10 Month Sleep Regression?

If this is definitely a regression and your baby was sleeping well before—it’s still tough, but there’s good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone.

My Sleep Regression Solution Guide is designed to walk you through the
8-10-month regression and prepare you for future ones, too. It’s packed with gentle strategies for getting sleep back on track, and tools to stay consistent even through the toughest nights.
👉 Grab the Sleep Regression Solution Guide
(Perfect for 4, 8-10, 12, 18 and 24-month regressions!)

Sleep regressions are hard, but they don’t have to break your progress—or your spirit. With the right strategies and support, you can help your baby (and yourself) get back to restful, consistent sleep.
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You’ve got this. And I’ve got you. 💛
— Erin, B.A. Psychology, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Infant Mental Health, Integrated Feeding Specialist