Miya Pearson
Getting your baby to sleep through the night is a common challenge for parents. While newborns need to wake up every few hours to feed, as they grow, they need fewer nighttime feeds and can sleep for longer. By 8 months, most babies have transitioned to 2 naps a day, sleeping for 12-16 hours in total, including a stretch of 9-12 hours at night. However, this is also when the 8-month sleep regression hits, which can cause unpredictable sleep patterns. To teach your 8-month-old to sleep, it's important to establish a bedtime routine, teach them to self-soothe, and create a safe and soothing sleep environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of naps | Two naps per day |
| Nap length | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Total sleep | 12-16 hours per day |
| Nighttime sleep | 9-12 hours |
| Bedtime | 7:00-8:00 pm |
| Room-sharing | Recommended for the first 6 months |
| Bed-sharing | Not recommended |
| Sleep position | On their back |
| Crib | No toys, pillows, blankets, or loose items |
| Dress | Appropriate for room temperature |
| Pacifier | Offer but don't force |
| Feeding | Avoid night feeds |
| Schedule | Consistent daily routine |
| Bedtime routine | Soothing activities like reading |
| Self-soothing | Teach baby to self-soothe |
| Separation anxiety | Reassure baby you're there |
| Development | Give baby floor time to practice new skills |
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What You'll Learn
Establish a bedtime routine
Establishing a bedtime routine for your 8-month-old baby is an important step in teaching them to sleep through the night. A consistent yet flexible routine will help your baby develop healthy sleep habits and ensure they get the recommended 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day, including a stretch of 9 to 12 hours at night.
- Maintain a regular bedtime: Aim for a bedtime between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. Having a set bedtime will help your baby's body adjust to a sleep schedule and promote more restful nights.
- Create a soothing environment: Keep the atmosphere calm and quiet before bedtime. Engage in quieter activities like reading, and avoid anything too stimulating or exciting that might make it difficult for your baby to wind down.
- Differentiate day from night: During the day, keep the curtains open and don't worry too much about everyday noises while your baby sleeps. This will help your baby gradually learn that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Wind-down activities: Incorporate calming activities into your bedtime routine, such as reading or playing soft music. A warm bath can also be a part of the routine, signalling to your baby that bedtime is approaching.
- Address sleep disruptions: The 8-month sleep regression is common and can be caused by teething, developmental milestones, or separation anxiety. If your baby is teething, try offering a pacifier to soothe their gums (but don't force it). If they are learning new skills like crawling, give them plenty of floor time during the day to practice, so they're less likely to want to do so at night.
- Be consistent: Consistency is key when establishing a bedtime routine. Stick to the routine as much as possible, and be patient—it may take a few weeks for your baby to adjust.
Remember, every baby is unique, so tailor the bedtime routine to your baby's needs and cues. Be prepared to adapt the routine as your baby grows and their sleep patterns change.
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Teach self-soothing
Teaching self-soothing techniques to your 8-month-old can help them fall asleep without your help. It is an important skill that can benefit them throughout their life.
Start with a consistent bedtime routine
A consistent bedtime routine can help your baby settle more easily. This can be as simple as reading a book, singing a song, or taking a bath. Sleep routines provide consistency, which is key in helping children know how to respond to situations. Even if your baby doesn't understand the words, they can learn from consistent cues when they're expected to go to sleep.
Provide a calming sleep environment
A comfortable and safe environment is key to your baby falling asleep and staying asleep. When a child is put to sleep in an environment optimally designed for sleeping, they can fall asleep quickly without distractions. They are also less likely to be triggered awake by noises, chills, or hot sweats. To prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), keep the room slightly cool, and do not put anything in the crib or bassinet, such as blankets, pillows, or toys. Dress your baby for the room temperature and don't overbundle.
Use a pacifier
Pacifiers can help young babies learn to self-soothe. However, limit pacifier use to naptime and bedtime, and combine it with other methods, such as white noise and a consistent routine, so that your baby doesn't rely on the pacifier alone.
Gradually reduce physical contact
If your baby falls asleep in your arms, they will wake up in a different environment, which can be jarring and lead to distress. Instead, put them in their crib in a drowsy but not-yet-asleep state. This will give them time to adjust to the environment as they fall asleep. In the beginning, you may need to stand next to the crib, offering verbal assurances or a back rub, as your baby learns to self-soothe without full-body human contact.
Be responsive to your baby's needs
Before assuming that your baby is just cranky, review their list of needs. Are they hungry? Have they learned a new skill, like crawling or scooting, and need more floor time to practice? By anticipating your baby's needs instead of reacting to them, you can set them up for success.
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Wean night feedings
It is important to establish a bedtime routine for your 8-month-old, as well as a consistent sleep schedule. This will help your baby sleep at more appropriate times. Most babies this age sleep 12-16 hours per day, including a stretch of 9-12 hours at night, and take two naps per day.
Night weaning is a big milestone for your baby. It is the process of transitioning your baby off waking to eat in the middle of the night. As your baby gets older, their tummy gets bigger and they no longer need to feed at night. Babies are able to sleep through the night, defined as a six- to eight-hour stretch, without eating when they are between 4 and 6 months old. In this age range, most babies reach the 12- to 13-pound mark, the weight at which they no longer metabolically need nighttime feedings.
There is no hurry to night wean, but it might be an option for formula-fed babies from 6 months and breastfed babies from 12 months. If you are formula feeding, and your baby is over 6 months old, they are unlikely to be waking at night because they are hungry, as infant formula is digested more slowly than breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, it is recommended that you breastfeed exclusively until your baby starts eating solid foods, usually around 6 months. After that, it is up to you and your child how long you continue.
There are several strategies for successful night weaning:
- Top your baby off with a final feeding right before you go to bed. You will need to rouse them enough so that they are not completely asleep, but even if they are drowsy, a few sips might be better than nothing.
- If your baby is formula-fed and having 60ml of milk or less during a night feed, you can stop the feed altogether and resettle your baby with your preferred sleep techniques.
- If your baby is having more than 60ml of milk per feed, you can gradually cut down the amount your baby drinks over 5-7 nights. Reduce the volume of milk by 20-30ml every second night.
- If your baby usually feeds for 10 minutes, feed for 8 minutes for 2 nights, then 6 minutes for the next 2 nights, and so on. Re-settle your baby after each shortened feed with the settling techniques of your choice.
- If your baby is breastfed, you can stop night feedings while still breastfeeding during the day, so your child still gets all the benefits of breast milk.
- If your baby is waking up, give them a chance to settle back in before automatically assuming they need to be fed.
- If your baby is over 12 months old or isn't eating much during night feedings, you might consider a cold-turkey approach.
Remember, every baby has unique feeding needs. Discuss any night weaning plan with your pediatrician to ensure that your plan is appropriate for your baby.
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Keep a calming ambiance
Keeping a calm ambiance is an important part of teaching an eight-month-old to sleep. This includes maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room and ensuring that it stays dark. Using blackout stickers to block out LED lights from devices such as air conditioners or monitors can help achieve this. Additionally, white noise can be effective in creating a consistent and soothing sound for the baby to fall asleep to, while also drowning out any other household noises.
It is also important to establish a calming bedtime routine and a peaceful, screen-free environment in the hour leading up to bedtime. This can include soothing activities such as a warm bath, followed by stories or singing, which signal the end of the day. Exposing your baby to sunlight in the morning and keeping the house noisy and engaging during the day can also help reinforce the difference between day and night.
Another aspect of creating a calm ambiance is ensuring the baby's sleep area is safe and free from hazards. This includes keeping plush toys, pillows, blankets, and other items with cords or sharp edges away from the crib or bassinet. A firm, flat sleep surface with a snugly fitted sheet is recommended. Additionally, it is important to dress the baby appropriately for the room temperature to avoid overheating.
Deep breathing techniques can also be introduced to help your baby relax and calm down before bedtime. This can be done through practices such as "dandelion breaths" or "hand hugs," which involve gentle pressure massages on the baby's arms and legs.
Finally, it is crucial to be consistent with the calming ambiance and bedtime routine. This means maintaining a regular bedtime and making adjustments as needed to help your baby sleep better. It may take several days or even weeks for an eight-month-old to learn new sleep habits, so patience and consistency are key.
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Avoid hazards in the crib
It is important to take precautions to ensure your baby's safety while they sleep. Here are some ways to avoid hazards in the crib for your eight-month-old:
Firstly, ensure that the crib is clear of any objects that could pose a risk of suffocation or entanglement. This includes pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like bumper pads, blankets, and stuffed toys. Instead of a blanket, consider using a sleeper, and if you do use a blanket, place the baby with their feet at the foot of the crib and tuck the blanket around the mattress, covering only up to the baby's chest. Use a fitted bottom sheet specifically designed for crib use, and ensure the mattress is firm and tight-fitting so the baby cannot become trapped between the mattress and the crib.
Additionally, keep items with cords, ties, or ribbons away from the crib, as these can wrap around the baby's neck. Also, watch out for objects with sharp edges or corners that could cause injury. Ensure the crib is structurally sound, with no missing, loose, broken, or improperly installed hardware. The crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby from getting stuck.
It is also important to consider the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and overheating. Dress your baby according to the room temperature to avoid overheating, and do not cover their head while sleeping. Keep the baby away from secondhand smoke, as it increases the risk of SIDS. Offer a pacifier at sleep time, but do not force it, and if you are breastfeeding, wait until it is firmly established.
Finally, be mindful of your baby's developmental milestones. As they become more mobile, they may try to climb out of the crib or express discomfort with their sleeping arrangements. Regularly assess the sleep area to ensure it meets safety standards as your baby grows.
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Frequently asked questions
Most 8-month-old babies sleep for 12 to 16 hours a day, including a stretch of 9 to 12 hours at night. They usually take two naps a day, but some may still take three.
A bedtime between 7:00-8:00 pm is considered appropriate for an 8-month-old baby.
It is important to have a consistent daily routine. You can start establishing a healthy bedtime routine around 3 months old. Make sure to wind down with calmer activities before bedtime, like reading.
Reassure your baby quietly that you're there, then firmly send the message that they need to go back to sleep. Avoid cuddling or talking too much, as this may prompt your baby to wake up regularly for attention.
Sleep regression is a common phenomenon where an 8-month-old who was previously sleeping well starts waking up multiple times a night. It is often caused by teething, developmental milestones, or separation anxiety. To deal with it, you can use white noise, ensure your baby gets enough floor time to practice new skills, and remain consistent with your sleep routine.
