What's Happening at 8 Months?
Your baby is experiencing a developmental explosion—new mobility skills (crawling, pulling to stand) combined with growing separation anxiety. Their brain is processing these major milestones, which can disrupt sleep patterns.
What's changing: Physical skills + emotional awareness = temporary sleep chaos
Common Symptoms
Normal 8-Month Regression Signs:
- Extra clinginess during the day and night
- Fighting naps or refusing to be put down
- Early wake-ups (5-6 AM instead of 7 AM)
- Frequent night wakings with crying for parent
- Separation anxiety at bedtime
What You Might Notice:
- Baby cries when you leave the room
- Stands up in crib and can't/won't lie back down
- Practices crawling or standing during sleep times
- More difficulty with nap transitions
Treatment at Home
✅ Good Home Strategies:
- Maintain consistent bedtime routine - predictability helps anxiety
- Provide comfort without creating dependencies - brief reassurance
- Avoid overtiredness - may need to adjust nap schedule
- Practice separation during the day - build confidence gradually
- Give extra cuddles during awake time - fill their emotional tank
- Stay calm and consistent - your confidence helps them feel secure
✅ Managing New Mobility:
- If baby stands in crib: Briefly help them lie down, then leave
- Practice lying down during day - make it a fun game
- Ensure safe sleep environment - lower crib mattress if needed
✅ Comfort Strategies:
- Brief check-ins without picking up
- Consistent phrases ("It's time to sleep")
- Same response each time they wake
❌ Avoid:
- Starting co-sleeping out of desperation
- Lengthy middle-of-night interactions
- Abandoning established routines
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Reach out if:
- Separation anxiety seems extreme or affects daytime activities
- Sleep disruption continues beyond 4 weeks
- You're struggling with maintaining boundaries
- Baby's mobility is creating safety concerns during sleep
When to Contact Your Pediatrician
🩺 Call if your child has:
- Persistent high-pitched crying that seems pain-related
- Signs of injury from new mobility attempts
- Refusal to eat or signs of illness
- Extreme behavior changes beyond typical regression
Age-Appropriate Schedule at 8 Months
- Wake time: 6:30-7:30 AM
- First nap: 9:00-10:30 AM (1.5 hours)
- Second nap: 1:30-3:00 PM (1.5 hours)
- Bedtime: 7:00-8:00 PM
- Wake windows: 2.5-3 hours between sleeps
Remember: Independence + Attachment = Temporary Chaos
Your baby is learning they're a separate person from you (scary!) while also becoming more mobile (exciting!). This combination naturally disrupts sleep as they process these huge developments. For more information on sleep regressions, you can read the full guide here.
Key insight: Extra clinginess is normal and temporary. Meeting their emotional needs during the day helps them feel secure enough to sleep independently at night.
This phase typically lasts 2-4 weeks as your baby adjusts to their new skills and emotional awareness.
We'll check in with you within 48 hours after your visit. If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out.
