The Truth about the “8-Month Sleep Regression” (and Why It’s Not a Regression at All)
For parents navigating big developmental leaps with love, not fear
If your baby’s sleep has suddenly changed at about 8 months—more wake-ups, harder bedtimes, shorter naps—you might be wondering if something’s gone wrong. Chances are, someone has mentioned the dreaded “8-month sleep regression”.
But here’s the truth: this phase isn’t a regression at all. It’s not your baby going backwards, or forgetting how to sleep—it’s your baby growing. What looks like a sleep disruption is actually a sign of healthy developmental progress, especially in the brain. And understanding what’s really going on can help you respond with confidence rather than worry.
What is the 8-month sleep regression?
The so-called 8-month sleep regression is a period when babies who previously slept more easily suddenly start waking more, “resisting” naps, “fighting bedtime” or needing extra help to fall asleep. But there’s no scientific evidence that sleep changes occur on a universal schedule. What’s often happening instead is a surge in cognitive, emotional, and physical development—especially around sleep cycles, separation awareness, and mobility.
Your baby isn’t losing skills—they’re gaining them. Their brain is doing the work it’s wired to do, and the result is temporary sleep disruption that’s often misunderstood.
Object permanence: the brain leap behind the bedtime tears
Around this age, your baby begins to understand object permanence—the idea that people and things still exist even when they’re out of sight. It’s a huge developmental milestone.
Before now, if you walked out of the room, your baby’s brain didn’t really register your absence. You weren’t “gone”—you simply ceased to exist in their world. There was no missing you, because there was no awareness that you still were somewhere.
And if your baby did cry when you left, it wasn’t because they missed you in the emotional sense—it was because they felt completely alone, and that is really scary for a baby. That’s not a behavioural issue—that’s a primal survival response.
This is also why some sleep training methods may have appeared to work in the earlier months. If your baby stopped crying when left alone, it might not have been because they’d learned to “self-soothe,” but rather because they’d learned there is no point crying out. Studies, including one by Wendy Middlemiss, show that babies subjected to sleep training may stop crying outwardly while still showing high levels of cortisol—the stress hormone. In other words, they’ve gone quiet, but they haven’t calmed down.
But once babies develop object permanence, everything changes. Now they know you’re still out there when you leave—and they want to be back with you. So if your baby who previously “settled independently” is suddenly crying when you leave the room, it doesn’t mean they’ve regressed. It means they’re developing exactly as they should.
It’s not manipulation. It’s a healthy brain learning how the world works—and needing connection, not correction, to navigate it.
An interesting side note: Where did “self-soothing” even come from?
The idea of self-soothing is everywhere in baby sleep advice, but most people don’t know its origin. The term was coined in the 1970s by Dr. Thomas Anders, a researcher studying infant sleep patterns. It was used to describe the behaviour of some babies who stirred between sleep cycles but didn’t cry out—they sometimes fell back asleep without signalling.
Years later, parenting writer John Hoffman asked Dr. Anders directly what he meant by the term. Anders clarified that it was never meant to imply babies could regulate their emotions or calm themselves intentionally. It was just a research term for a clinical observation—not a developmental milestone, and certainly not a skill to teach.
Over time, as the term was repeated in books, articles, and parenting programs, its meaning shifted. It came to be treated as a goal—as if babies should learn to “self-soothe” in isolation. But just because people keep saying it, doesn’t make something true. There’s no solid evidence that babies under 12 months can regulate their stress alone.
What babies can do is co-regulate. Their nervous systems are shaped in relationship—by being comforted, not left to cope alone.
Separation anxiety and baby sleep
Night waking during this stage isn’t a sign that you’ve created “bad sleep habits.” It’s a reflection of your baby’s attachment system doing exactly what it’s supposed to do—seeking connection and reassurance in a time of uncertainty.
This often shows up as bedtime “resistance”, clinginess, or frequent waking. The good news? This is normal. It’s not forever. And how you respond to these cues builds trust, safety, and emotional resilience.
If you would like to read more about attachment, I have a blog on this too: Understanding Attachment Theory: Insights for New Parents
Why popular sleep advice often misses the mark
Many mainstream baby sleep strategies—like controlled crying or “self-settling”—encourage increased separation at a time when babies are biologically wired to seek more connection. These approaches ask babies to suppress their distress cues just as their ability to signal and seek comfort is increasing.
And while these techniques might appear to work in the short term, they can lead to more night waking, more stress (for baby and parent), and disconnection at a time when co-regulation is crucial.
Babies don’t learn to self-soothe by being left alone.
They learn to feel safe by being soothed—again and again—by someone they trust.
An interesting side note: Where did “self-soothing” even come from?
The idea of self-soothing is everywhere in baby sleep advice, but most people don’t know its origin. The term was coined in the 1970s by Dr. Thomas Anders, a researcher studying infant sleep patterns. It was used to describe babies who stirred between sleep cycles but didn’t cry out—they simply fell back asleep without signalling.
Years later, parenting writer John Hoffman asked Dr. Anders directly what he meant by the term. Anders clarified that it was never meant to imply babies could regulate their emotions or calm themselves intentionally. It was just a research term for a clinical observation—not a developmental milestone, and certainly not a skill to teach.
Over time, as the term was repeated in books, articles, and parenting programmes, its meaning shifted. It came to be treated as a goal—as if babies should learn to “self-soothe” in isolation. But just because people keep saying it, doesn’t make something true. There’s no solid evidence that babies under 12 months can regulate their stress alone.
What babies can do is co-regulate. Their nervous systems are shaped in relationship—by being comforted, not left to cope alone.
“Self-soothing was never meant to be a parenting goal.”
Massive brain growth = more wake-ups, not fewer
If your baby is suddenly sleeping less, it might be a sign that their brain is developing at a rapid pace. New neural pathways are being laid down every day. This growth isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and social, too.
And during these leaps, what your baby’s brain needs most isn’t more “independent sleep”—it’s consistent connection. That’s what supports the architecture of a healthy brain: not sleep training, but responsive care.
When you hold, rock, breastfeed, or soothe your baby, you’re not just helping them sleep—you’re helping their brain build the capacity for future regulation, resilience, and emotional safety.
And Let’s Reframe “Fighting Sleep”at Any Age.
If your baby seems to be “fighting” bedtime, it’s not defiance—and it’s not a sleep problem you need to fix. It’s communication. And often, there are three gentle reasons I explore with families:
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Your baby may have lower sleep needs than expected.Not all babies need the same amount of sleep. Some simply aren’t ready for bed yet—even if it’s “bedtime.” That’s not a problem. That’s their biology.
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Their two sleep systems might be out of sync. If your baby’s circadian rhythm (body clock) and their sleep pressure (the need to sleep) aren’t aligned, sleep won’t come easily. Trying to “wind down” too early can actually make bedtime more frustrating for everyone.
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They may not be resisting sleep—it could be the separation they’re resisting. Sleep involves letting go, and for babies who are sensitive to separation, this can feel emotionally tricky. When that’s the case, adding more connection before bed (rather than pulling away) can make a huge difference. Rituals like cuddle time, eye contact, songs, or stepping outside to say goodnight to the stars can help create the safety they need to let go.
Sleep isn’t something we can force. But when you work with your baby’s biology and respond to what they’re telling you, sleep becomes something that happens naturally—without battles.
So what do babies need during this stage?
✨ Connection, not correction
✨ Co-regulation, not independence
✨ Trust in their cues, not pressure to meet adult-defined “milestones”
This isn’t about perfect routines. It’s about creating a responsive environment where your baby feels safe enough to sleep when their body and brain are ready.
Some babies breeze through this stage. Others need more closeness, more comfort, and more time. Both are normal. What matters most is how we meet them where they are.
Looking for baby sleep support that aligns with your values?
If you’re in the thick of night waking and the usual advice doesn’t sit right with you, you’re not alone.
At Perth Baby Clinic, I offer gentle, evidence-informed baby sleep support that’s grounded in the Possums NDC approach—but also highly individualised. It is shaped by over 20 years of experience as a midwife, IBCLC, and parenting educator, and deeply informed by the work of global experts in infant sleep, development, and emotional wellbeing.
That includes the science of Prof. Helen Ball and Prof. James McKenna on safe sleep and infant-parent co-regulation, the neurodevelopmental insights of Nathan Wallis and Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, and the attachment and trauma-informed work of Dr. Gabor Matéand Dr. Dan Seigel. I’ve spent decades weaving together research and real-world parenting to create a truly responsive approach—one that respects both your baby’s biology and your unique family needs.
👶 No cry-it-out
🌙 No rigid routines
💗 Just practical, personalised support that helps your whole family rest well—your way.
👉 Learn more about the Baby Sleep Masterclass and In person consultations
