Colin Snow
Sleep is a hot topic for parents of 8-month-olds, as this is when babies are making developmental and cognitive strides that can impact their sleep. While every baby is different, most 8-month-olds will sleep for around 14 hours within a 24-hour period, with 10-12 hours of nighttime sleep and 2-4 hours split between two daytime naps. Some babies will even sleep through the night for 10-12 hours. Sleep regressions are common at this age, but you can help your baby through them by creating a consistent routine and meeting their needs for food, fun, and bonding during the day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Sleep | 12-16 hours per day |
| Nighttime Sleep | 9-12 hours |
| Daytime Sleep | 3-5 hours |
| Number of Naps | 2-3 |
| Nap Duration | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Bedtime | 7-9 pm |
| Wake Time | 6-8 am |
| Sleep Regression | Common |
| Overtiredness | Common |
| Separation Anxiety | Possible |
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Sleep regression
At eight months old, your baby will likely need 12–16 hours of sleep per day, including a stretch of 9–12 hours at night. Most 8-month-olds take 2–3 naps per day, with the first two ideally lasting at least 60 minutes, and the last 'catnap' lasting 30–45 minutes.
During sleep regression, your baby may wake up multiple times during the night, crying for attention and needing comfort. They may take longer to fall back asleep and might even start shunning naps altogether. This phase can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, or even months if not addressed effectively.
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine, preferably between 7–8 pm.
- Ensure your baby is getting adequate feedings during the day to reduce hunger at night.
- Adjust mealtimes so that your baby doesn't wake up too early from a nap due to hunger.
- Provide opportunities for your baby to practice their new skills during awake time, reducing the urge to do so at night.
- Use white noise during sleep times to help soothe your baby and mask outside disturbances.
- Be firm and consistent in teaching your baby to fall back asleep without needing constant attention or cuddles.
Remember, this too shall pass! By maintaining healthy sleep habits and following the tips above, your baby will move past this regression phase, and you'll both be enjoying restful nights again.
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Daytime sleep
The exact figure of total sleep in a day varies from baby to baby, and that's completely fine! Every child is unique, and a 'normal' amount of sleep will differ for each one. However, having a guideline for how much your 8-month-old baby should be sleeping can be useful for crafting a sleep schedule.
If your baby is struggling to nap, there are some steps you can take to encourage healthy sleep habits. Firstly, ensure that every nap takes place in the same area and at the same time each day to help your baby understand when it's time to sleep. You can also establish a calming bedtime routine, creating a peaceful, screen-free environment in the hour leading up to lights out. Soothing activities like a warm bath, followed by stories or singing, can signal the end of the day.
It's important to keep your baby's waking hours full of connection and fun, as this can encourage deeper sleep at night. Expose them to sunlight, especially first thing in the morning, and keep the house noisy and engaging during the day. This helps reinforce the idea that daytime is for fun and nighttime is for sleeping.
Finally, remember that wake windows are key to a harmonious nighttime sleep. 8-month-olds typically thrive on 2-3 hours of awake time between naps, allowing them to engage with the world and tire themselves out for restful sleep.
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Nighttime sleep
To ensure a good nighttime sleep routine, it is recommended to have a predictable bedtime routine. This might include a final feeding, a bath, and relaxing activities like reading, snuggling, or singing. The goal is to help your baby wind down and signal that it's time to prepare for sleep. Maintaining a consistent bedtime between 7 PM and 9 PM is also beneficial.
It is common for 8-month-olds to experience sleep regressions, which can be caused by them practicing new motor skills or experiencing separation anxiety. During these periods, it's important to maintain healthy sleep habits and provide reassurance when they wake up during the night. Cuddling, feeding, or talking excessively when they wake up may reinforce this behaviour, so it's best to calmly reassure them and then encourage them to go back to sleep.
Additionally, hunger can be a frequent cause of disrupted sleep. Adjusting meal times and ensuring adequate daytime feedings can help prevent your baby from waking too early due to hunger.
It's important to note that every baby is unique, and different sleep schedules may work better for different families. Some babies may still take three naps a day, while others may have transitioned to a two-nap schedule. The majority of 8-month-olds tend to take a mid-morning and mid-afternoon nap, with each nap lasting between one and two hours.
To create a safe sleep environment, keep the crib or bassinet free from plush toys, pillows, blankets, and other items that could pose a hazard. Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature, and avoid covering their head while they sleep. It is recommended to room-share without bed-sharing to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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Bedtime routine
At eight months old, your baby should be getting between 12 and 16 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period. This includes two naps during the day, each lasting for around 1 to 2 hours, and 11 to 12 hours of sleep at night. Establishing a bedtime routine will help your baby develop good sleeping habits and a healthy sleep schedule.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to bedtime routines. Try to
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Sleep safety
At eight months old, your baby should be sleeping for 12–16 hours per day, including a stretch of 9–12 hours at night. Most 8-month-olds take 2-3 naps per day, with the first two ideally lasting at least 60 minutes and the last one being a 30-45 minute catnap.
Room-sharing without bed-sharing
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing until your baby's first birthday or for at least 6 months, when the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is highest. Room-sharing involves placing your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet in your bedroom instead of a separate nursery. This allows for easy feeding, comforting, and monitoring of your baby at night. While room-sharing is considered safe, bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.
Safe sleep environment
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface and cover the mattress with a fitted sheet.
- Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, including plush toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads.
- Dress your baby according to the room temperature and avoid overbundling. Do not cover your baby's head while they sleep, and watch for signs of overheating such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.
- Keep your baby away from smokers. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
- Offer a pacifier at sleep time, but don't force it. If you're breastfeeding, wait until it's firmly established.
- Avoid hazards such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons that can wrap around your baby's neck, and objects with sharp edges or corners. Ensure that anything your baby can touch from a seated or standing position in the crib is safe.
- Do not let your baby fall asleep on products that are not designed for sleeping, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers.
- Do not use products or devices that claim to lower the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect heart rate and breathing. No known products can do this.
- Do not use weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles on or around your baby.
- Ensure that all sleep surfaces and products meet federal safety standards and are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Bedtime routine
Establishing a bedtime routine can help your baby relax and signal that it's time for sleep. A warm bath followed by stories or singing can be soothing activities before bedtime. It's important to put your baby in their crib while they're drowsy but still awake, as this will help them learn to fall asleep independently. If your baby cries, stay away for a few minutes to give them a chance to settle down. If the crying continues, soothe them briefly without picking them up. Consistency is key—cuddling, feeding, or talking to your baby when they wake up may encourage them to seek attention regularly.
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Frequently asked questions
Most 8-month-olds sleep for around 14 hours within a 24-hour period, though anything between 12 to 16 hours is considered normal. Usually, babies this age can snooze for nine to 12 hours at night and three to four hours during the day.
Most 8-month-olds take 2-3 naps per day. Two naps during the day should total about three-and-a-half hours of daytime sleep.
A bedtime between 7:00-9:00 pm is common for 8-month-olds.
Sleep regressions are common at this age. Your baby might be getting up to practice their newfound motor skills, like pulling themselves up to stand or crawling. Separation anxiety could also be a factor.
Maintaining healthy sleep habits will help your baby move past any regressions as quickly as possible. You can also try to make up for lost sleep by putting your baby to bed earlier or offering more daytime sleep. Hunger is a frequent cause of shortened sleep, so ensure your baby is getting adequate feedings during the day.
