The 7 Month Sleep Regression — What To Expect

You’ve probably seen this before when your baby was around 4 months, and it WASN’T fun. Your baby, who got through the last sleep regression and was finally sleeping well day and night, is suddenly waking early from her naps and up all night. You’re tired and she’s tired — it’s the 7 month sleep regression in full swing.

You know it’s a sleep regression when your baby is experiencing:

• Increased fussiness
• Multiple night wakings
• Fewer naps or short “disaster naps”
• Changes in appetite
• Difficulty settling at bedtime, such as your 7-month-old fighting sleep.
• Increased clinginess or separation anxiety, making independent sleep harder.

 

Common Triggers for the 7-Month Sleep Regression

 

 

Developmental Milestones

At 7 months, many babies are learning to crawl, sit independently, or pull themselves up. These skills often disrupt sleep as your baby’s brain is busy practicing—even in the middle of the night!

Teething vs. Sleep Regression

Teething symptoms, such as gum pain and drooling, can overlap with a sleep regression. If you’re wondering whether it’s teething or a sleep regression, look for additional signs like swollen gums or a desire to chew on everything.

 

Night Wakings and Sleep Struggles

 

 

7-Month-Old Waking Up at Night Crying

 

It’s common for babies to wake up crying during this phase. This could be due to difficulty transitioning between sleep cycles or a new awareness of their environment.

7-Month-Old Waking Up Every Hour

 

Frequent wake-ups often signal overtiredness. Ensuring your baby gets enough daytime sleep can reduce these nighttime disruptions.

Why is My Baby Not Sleeping?

 

If your 7-month-old is not sleeping through the night anymore, it may be due to changing sleep needs. At this age, your baby still requires 3-4 hours of daytime sleep, divided into two or three naps, and about 10-12 hours of nighttime sleep.

 

The 7 Month Sleep Regression

Sleep regressions happen at various ages in a baby’s first years. Seven months can be a common time when your baby’s sleep habits unravel. Just as at the 4 month sleep regression, huge developmental fireworks are likely to blame for your baby’s sleep troubles at 7 months.

Some amazing new skills are emerging at this age. Your baby’s urge to practice them, his frustration while he masters them, and his uncertainty the meaning of his new skills — does he REALLY want to crawl away from you? — can keep him up, day and night!

Around 7 months your child may be working on or even have newly mastered:

• The pincer grasp that allows them to hold things between thumb and first finger
• Sitting up unassisted
• Creeping on their tummy or even the beginning of crawling
• Picking up and feeding themselves food

 

 

Helping Your Baby Through the 7-Month Sleep Regression

 

Filling the Sleep Tank

A well-rested baby sleeps better. Focus on ensuring your baby gets enough daytime sleep to prevent overtiredness. Adjust their schedule to include age-appropriate wake windows (2.5-3.5 hours) between naps.

Daytime Routines Matter

Babies thrive on consistency. During wake windows, engage your baby with stimulating activities like tummy time or crawling practice. Then, create a calming pre-nap or bedtime routine with dim lights, soft music, and snuggles to signal it’s time to wind down.

 

Addressing Specific Challenges

 

Short Naps

If your baby is suddenly taking short naps at 7 months, they might need more stimulation during wake windows. Avoid overstimulation close to nap time, which can make settling harder.

 

Night Wakings

For a 7-month-old waking multiple times in the night, reassure them with gentle pats or shushing but avoid picking them up unless necessary. If they’ve learned to self-soothe, this will help them settle back to sleep.

 

How to Respond to the 7 Month Sleep Regression

Dr. Terry Brazelton describes this in his book, Touchpoints. In the days and weeks before any major developmental progress, a baby’s normal behavior kind of falls apart. Their sleep, normal eating patterns, and even their overall mood may be temporarily unrecognizable. It takes A LOT of effort for our babies to learn these new skills by trial and error and they may just have less attention to give to their other skills — like sleeping.
How should you respond to this temporary, exciting, and difficult phase?

• Offer lots of comfort and reassurance — extra hugs and cuddles help
• More feedings — growth spurts can be part of a sleep regression
• Avoid over tiredness — stick to naps and consider an earlier bedtime if she seems extra tired or extra fussy in the evening
• Avoid old (or new!) bad habits — don’t resort to rocking or feeding your baby to sleep. Stay nearby at bedtime and use The Shuffle to comfort and reassure him

Don’t forget that this phase is TEMPORARY. It usually doesn’t last more than 2-3 weeks. While you both may be tired and frustrated now, you will be back to better nights and playful days soon. In fact, your baby may have some new skills to wow you with when it’s over!

 

Kim’s Advice

Stay consistent with your bedtime and naptime routines, even during regressions. The Sleep Lady Shuffle is a gentle method to encourage your baby to sleep independently without leaving them to cry it out.

Avoid New Sleep Crutches

While it’s tempting to rock or feed your baby back to sleep, this can create new associations that are hard to break later. Instead, focus on helping your baby learn to settle themselves.

 

Final Thoughts from Kim

Sleep regressions, like the 7-month sleep regression, are a normal part of your baby’s development. While this phase can be exhausting, remember that it’s temporary. By staying consistent with your routines and supporting your baby through these changes, you’ll help them build healthy, long-term sleep habits.

“Gentle, consistent, and responsive—these are the cornerstones of managing sleep regressions and helping your baby thrive.”

 

FAQs on the 7-Month Sleep Regression

 

How Long Does the 7-Month Sleep Regression Last?

This phase typically lasts 2-6 weeks, depending on your baby’s temperament and how consistently you stick to their routine.

Is it Teething or a Sleep Regression?

Teething often comes with physical symptoms like swollen gums or drooling. A regression is more about developmental changes disrupting sleep.

How Can I Help My 7-Month-Old Sleep Through the Night?

Ensure age-appropriate wake windows, consistent bedtime routines, and enough daytime sleep. Avoid overstimulation close to bedtime.