The 9 Month Sleep Regression:When Your Baby Stops Sleeping
You’ve been here before. Suddenly your baby is resisting naps, waking up at night, and you’re tired! It probably feels like it came out of nowhere, but around nine months is a very common time for babies to have an interruption in their regular sleep pattern. Are you noticing fussiness, multiple night wakings, fewer and shorter naps, appetite changes, and general crankiness? You’re probably in the middle of the 9 month sleep regression. Read on to find out:
- Why does this regression happen?
- How to support your child
- Self-care for you!
Have no idea where to begin solving your child’s sleep issues?
Start with this guide.
Why Does the 9 Month Sleep Regression Happen?
Somewhere between eight and ten months, your baby begins to develop his gross motor skills and may start crawling or even pulling himself up onto furniture. Many parents find their child practicing these skills at nap time or in the night, pulling themselves up on the side of their bed and then wailing when they can’t figure out how to get back down. Some motivated babies in this age range even start to walk! As your child explores “moving away” from you and becomes more independent, he may also become more clingy and be awake and upset in the night as a result.
Your 9 month old baby’s brain is in the midst of major developmental changes, too. Around this age babies begin to categorize objects and people and understand that not everything is the same. They may also learn that there are sequences to the way things are done and be interested in stacking cups, blocks, and groups of objects — like shoes.
Causes of the 9-Month Sleep Regression: What’s Behind the Disruption?
The 9-month sleep regression is driven by a combination of developmental milestones, changes in routine, and other internal or external factors that temporarily disrupt your baby’s sleep. Here’s what might be at play:
- Developmental Milestones: At 9 months, your baby is working on exciting new skills like crawling, pulling up, or even cruising along furniture. While these milestones are wonderful, they can make it harder for babies to settle or stay asleep as they practice these skills—even in their crib.
- Separation Anxiety: Around this age, many babies develop a stronger sense of object permanence, realizing that you still exist when they can’t see you. This can make them more clingy at bedtime or during nighttime wake-ups as they seek reassurance of your presence.
- Teething: Teething discomfort is common at this stage, leading to disrupted sleep and fussiness during naps or nighttime.
- Changes in Routine or Schedule: If your baby’s sleep schedule becomes irregular due to travel, illness, or other external disturbances, it can contribute to challenges settling into restful sleep.
- Sensitive Temperament: Some babies are naturally more sensitive to internal disturbances like hunger or external factors like noise, which can exacerbate sleep disruptions.
Kim Says: “The 9-month sleep regression is tough, but it’s also a sign your baby is growing and learning. By staying consistent with routines and providing gentle reassurance, you’ll help them adjust to these changes while building strong sleep habits for the future.”
How to Support Your Child in the 9 Month Sleep Regression
To support your child in this exciting and, admittedly, difficult phase consider these strategies:
- Let your child know when you are leaving and coming back
- Make time for extra snuggles and one on one play at the end of the day
- Help your baby practice getting down from standing during the day
- Keep a predictable nap and bedtime routine
Understanding Your Baby’s Unique Sleep Needs
Some babies are more sensitive to changes in routine or external disturbances like noise or teething pain. Others might experience frequent wake-ups due to their natural temperament or because they are working through developmental milestones like separation anxiety.
Kim Says: “Your baby’s sleep needs and challenges are as unique as they are. Sensitive babies might need extra reassurance, while more active babies may struggle with calming down after a stimulating day. Consistency and a tailored approach are the keys to navigating these differences.”
How do we get through this sleep regression?
The best and biggest piece of advice for weathering these challenging regressions is to remember they are temporary. Your baby WILL get back to his usual sleeping and eating routines soon.
What you can do to help your child sleep better and weather this phase smoothly:
- Be flexible. You may not be able to count on long daytime naps to give you a break or for bedtime to be smooth and relatively quick. Recruit some help — or even just moral support — from your partner, family, or friends to give yourself a break or a boost
- Respond to your baby. It’s good to cuddle and feed her more and to take more time at bedtime or meals right now.
- Be patient and supportive while your baby is frustrated or out of sorts — especially given how hard their brain and body are working.
- Stick to your GOOD habits. While it’s important to be supportive and responsive to your child, don’t fall back on old sleep habits or create new sleep crutches out of desperation.It’s okay to offer extra comfort, like rocking or nursing, during tough nights, but try to focus on maintaining healthy sleep habits when possible. If you find yourself relying on these strategies long-term, gently transition back to your usual routines using supportive techniques like The Shuffle.
It might be hard to imagine it when your baby’s sleep challenges are difficult, but this sleep regression will pass just like the others before it. And if you find yourself with new unwanted habits or sleep challenges that don’t resolve on their own, check back in to this blog or consider speaking with a Gentle Sleep Coach.
