Colin Snow
Sleep is a tricky business, especially when it comes to babies. While every baby is unique, most 8-month-olds will need around 13-14 hours of sleep per day, with 11-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during the day over 2-3 naps. This is a general guideline, and the exact figure will vary from baby to baby. A consistent bedtime routine can help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. This may include a warm bath, stories, singing, or other relaxing activities. It's also important to watch out for hazards in the crib, such as items with cords, ties, or ribbons, and to ensure that your baby's sleep space is safe and comfortable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Sleep | 12-16 hours per day |
| Night Sleep | 9-12 hours |
| Daytime Sleep | 2-4 hours |
| Number of Naps | 2-3 |
| Nap Length | 30 minutes - 2 hours |
| Wake Windows | 2.5-3.5 hours |
| Bedtime | 7:00-8:00 pm |
| Sleep Training | Soothing activities, reading, singing |
| Self-Soothing | Leave the baby for a few minutes to settle |
| Feeding | Avoid midnight snacks |
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Sleep regressions
- Waking up more in the night
- Taking shorter naps
- Fighting bedtime
- Having heightened periods of fussiness or agitation around bedtime
- Experiencing longer daytime naps with less nighttime sleep
If your baby is experiencing a sleep regression, it is important to be consistent and supportive. Here are some strategies that may help:
- Stick to a predictable bedtime routine. A warm bath followed by stories or singing can signal that it is time for bed.
- Make sure your baby is getting enough sleep overall. Overtired babies have a harder time settling down and are more likely to wake up throughout the night.
- If your baby is waking up frequently or not napping well, try putting them to bed earlier or offering more daytime sleep.
- Encourage your baby to practice new skills during the day. The more they practice crawling, pulling up, or scooting during the day, the less exciting these skills will seem when they are supposed to be sleeping.
- Sleep train your baby. This is the perfect time for consistency to support healthy sleep.
- If your baby is still taking three naps, watch for signs that they are ready to transition to two naps.
- Offer a pacifier at sleep time, but don't force it.
- If your baby wakes up in the night and cries, reassure them quietly that you're there, and then send the message that they need to go back to sleep.
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Daytime naps
The number of naps an 8-month-old takes can vary, with some still taking three naps, while others transition to two. If your baby is taking three naps, it's advisable to maintain a consistent daily schedule by waking them up at a fixed time every morning. This prevents the entire schedule from shifting too late in the day, resulting in a lengthy period of wakefulness before bedtime.
The duration of wakefulness between naps, known as "wake windows," typically ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 hours for 8-month-olds. These windows tend to lengthen as the day progresses, with babies staying awake longer in the afternoon and evening.
To promote healthy napping habits, aim for consistency by ensuring that each nap occurs in the same location and at similar times every day. This helps your baby recognize when it's time to sleep. Additionally, a soothing bedtime routine that includes activities like reading, singing, or taking a warm bath can signal the transition to sleep time.
If your 8-month-old is resisting naps, it could be due to learning new skills like crawling or pulling up. In such cases, providing ample floor time to practice these skills during their awake periods can help reduce their excitement during sleep time.
Remember, every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to napping. However, by observing their patterns and making adjustments as needed, you can establish a napping routine that works best for your little one.
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Night-time feedings
By eight months, most babies have transitioned to two naps a day, typically between one and two hours long. However, some babies may still take three naps, and it's important to watch for signs that they are ready to transition to two naps. It's recommended that you cap each nap at two hours to support good sleep by allowing for sufficient active awake time.
At this age, your baby will likely be awake for longer stretches compared to when they were a newborn, but they still need plenty of sleep overall. Most babies this age should sleep for 12-16 hours per day, including a stretch of 9-12 hours at night.
The ideal bedtime for an eight-month-old is between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. Babies who go to bed past 8:00 pm typically experience more false starts, night wakings, and early morning wakings. If your baby is struggling to make it to 7:00 pm, consider moving bedtime earlier.
- While some eight-month-olds may not need to eat in the middle of the night, a baby used to a 3:00 am feeding might not be ready to give it up. If your baby is not truly hungry but is reluctant to stop night-time feedings, sleep training might be helpful.
- If you decide to phase out night feedings, it's important to ensure your baby is getting adequate nutrition during the day. Breastfed babies often need night-time feedings until they are around one year old, while bottle-fed babies tend to drop night feedings earlier, from around six months onwards.
- If your baby is formula-fed and over six months old, they are unlikely to be waking at night due to hunger, as infant formula is digested more slowly than breast milk.
- If you are phasing out night feedings, you can gradually reduce the feeding time over several nights. For example, if your baby usually feeds for ten minutes, reduce it to eight minutes for two nights, then six minutes for the next two nights, and so on.
- If your baby's night feed is shorter, less than five minutes, you can try stopping the feed altogether and resettling your baby using sleep techniques.
- To help your baby adjust to phasing out night feeds, keep the lights on during feedings, and add stimulation so that your baby doesn't associate feeding with sleep time.
- Prioritize daytime calories to ensure your baby is well-fed before settling for the night.
- If your baby wakes up at night, try soothing and reassuring them to see if they will resettle without feeding.
- If your baby is breastfeeding, you could offer both breasts during daytime feeds to ensure they are getting enough nutrition. With formula-fed babies, ensure they are getting enough formula during the day by preparing it as recommended.
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Bedtime routines
The ideal bedtime for an 8-month-old baby is between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Babies who go to bed after 8:00 pm tend to experience more false starts, night wakings, and early morning wakings. However, there may be times when you need to put your baby to bed earlier than 7:00 pm, especially if they are struggling to stay awake until then.
At 8 months old, babies typically need 13-14 hours of sleep per day, including 10-12 hours at night and 2-4 hours during the day over 2-3 naps. The transition from three to two naps usually happens around this time, so expect sleep to be a little bumpy during this period.
Be consistent: Establish a calming and consistent bedtime routine. This could include a final feeding, a warm bath, and relaxing activities like reading, snuggling, or singing songs together. The goal is to help your baby wind down and signal that it's time to prepare for sleep.
Create a peaceful environment: In the hour leading up to bedtime, create a peaceful, screen-free environment. This can help your baby understand that nighttime is for sleeping.
Differentiate day and night: Expose your baby to sunlight, especially in the morning, and keep the house lively and engaging during the day. This reinforces that daytime is for fun and being active, while nighttime is for resting.
Allow for wake windows: The time between naps, also known as wake windows, is usually 2 to 3.5 hours at this age. These windows generally get longer as the day goes on, so your baby may stay awake longer in the afternoon and evening.
Offer a pacifier: You can offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it. If the pacifier falls out during sleep, you don't need to replace it.
Encourage self-soothing: Put your baby in their crib while they're drowsy but still awake. They may protest at first, but over time, they'll learn to self-soothe and fall asleep independently.
Handle night wakings: If your baby wakes up at night and cries, offer brief reassurance and let them know you're there. Then, send the message that it's time to go back to sleep. Avoid cuddling, feeding, or talking too much, as this may encourage your baby to wake up regularly for attention.
Remember, every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep. Observe your baby's mood, behaviour, and signs of overtiredness to ensure they're getting the rest they need.
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Wake windows
Firstly, the wake window depends on the baby's age. A younger 8-month-old baby will be on the shorter end of this range, while one who is almost 9 months old will be on the longer end.
Secondly, the baby's activity level plays a role. If your baby has spent most of their awake time in a confined space, such as a car seat, stroller, or carrier, they may need some time to release their energy before settling down for a nap or bedtime.
Thirdly, wake windows generally get longer as the day progresses. You'll likely find that your baby can stay awake longer in the afternoon and evening. For instance, the longest wake window of the day is typically between the last nap and bedtime.
Additionally, every baby is unique, and their individual development will determine their ideal wake window. Some 8-month-olds may tolerate a longer wake window of 3 to 3.5 hours, while others may need a shorter one of 2.5 to 3 hours.
It's important to observe your baby's behaviour and adjust accordingly. If they seem cranky and tired, opt for a shorter wake window, whereas if they are alert and active, a longer wake window may be suitable. The goal is to find the balance between being tired enough to fall asleep without becoming overtired, which can disrupt sleep.
To help regulate your baby's sleep, it's beneficial to maintain a consistent sleep schedule with naps and bedtime occurring at the same times each day. This helps to establish their circadian rhythm and sleep pressure, making it easier for them to fall and stay asleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Most 8-month-old babies need 13-14 hours of sleep per day, including 11-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during the day. This is usually spread across 2-3 naps.
The sweet spot for bedtime is between 7:00-8:00 pm. This time helps your baby fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
A bedtime routine with soothing activities can help relax your baby. A warm bath followed by stories or singing signals bedtime. You can also try to ensure your baby is getting enough sleep overall. Overtired babies have a harder time settling down and are more likely to wake up during the night.
