So many changes happen in a baby's first year of life. One of the things that often changes is their sleep patterns. One moment they wake up a lot during the night, then they don't do that anymore after a couple of months. That said, mothers are always looking for the "right" sleep schedule. For example, you may be searching for information on a healthy 8-month-old sleep schedule. In that case, let us help you. Continue reading to learn more about sleep patterns, techniques, and helpful tools.
8-Month-Old Sample Sleep Schedule
The sleep schedule for an 8-month-old baby is less complicated than the sleep schedule of a newborn. When they become 6 months old, they start being able to sleep through the night. They don't forget this skill. That said, the same goes for an 8-month-old baby. All you need to worry about is when to put them to bed and when they will wake up.
Here is a very simple sleep schedule for your 8-month-old baby:
|
Time |
Activity |
|
7:00 am |
Wake up time |
|
9:45 am - 11:15 am |
1st Nap |
|
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm |
2nd Nap |
|
6:30 pm |
Bedtime routine |
|
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
Bedtime |
Please note that this is just a sample. A baby may wake later or earlier than that. But you should target to have them start sleeping at around 7 - 8 pm.
How Much Should an 8-Month-Old Sleep?
At this stage, your baby should sleep for 9 - 12 hours straight at night. Then, they should have some daytime naps with a total number of hours up to 4 hours. In total, your baby needs 12 - 16 hours of sleep per day.
How Much Daytime Sleep Should an 8-Month-Old Baby Need?
An 8-month-old baby typically takes 2 naps per day. The Duration of those naps varies. Some babies sleep for only 30 minutes. Meanwhile, others sleep for up to 2 hours. Both are fine as long as they are hitting the ideal number of hours per day.
8-Month-Old Sample Nap Schedule
Before we give you a sample schedule, let us answer an important question. How many naps should an 8-month-old take, or how often should an 8-month-old nap? The answer is 2. An 8-month-old baby should have one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Here is the sample:
- 1st Nap - 9:30 am - 11:30 am
- 2nd Nap - 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Please note that the wake-up time is not consistent. They could sleep for two full hours, like what we set for the first nap. However, they may wake up earlier than that. Do not worry. That is okay as long as they are completing the number of hours and they are growing healthily.
8-Month-Old's Wake Window
An 8-month-old baby should be awake for 2 - 3 hours between naps. Use that time to play with them or feed them. At night, they will stay asleep unless there are some problems. Thus, you don't need to worry about them waking up to feed after you put them to sleep.
Why Does My 8-Month-Old Baby Not Sleep Through the Night?
Your baby may be experiencing sleep problems if they aren't sleeping through the night. You have probably heard from others that at 8 months, they should be able to do it. So far, we have also said the same. That is because that is true for most babies. However, some babies experience difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The reasons include teething, separation anxiety, and overstimulation.
Is There an 8-Month-Old Sleep Regression?
Yes, there is an 8-month-old sleep regression. This impedes your baby's progress in establishing a healthy sleeping pattern. Instead of learning how to sleep through the night, they are going back to their younger days when they'd wake up several times. But what causes this?
Babies develop as they grow. Unfortunately, some of these developments have side effects that can affect their sleep and cause sleep regression. Here are the main ones:
- Teething - Your baby may become uncomfortable or fussy because of their emerging teeth. This can make it difficult for them to fall asleep.
- Emotional Development - Emotional development is great. However, it can increase separation anxiety, which can affect your baby's sleep.
- Environmental Awareness - Your baby is now more aware of their surroundings. The problem with that is it becomes easier for noise and other factors to disturb their sleep.
How To Sleep Train an 8-Month-Old Baby?
You can sleep train your baby by setting a consistent sleep schedule. By repeating the actions every day, you are making a way for your baby to register when it is bedtime already. That makes it easier for them to fall asleep when it is time.
Here are a few tips:
Start Preparing 30 Minutes Before Bedtime
Before the actual bedtime, you should be already preparing the sleeping space for your baby. You should dim the lights and turn off the TV or lower its volume. Giving them a warm bath will also help.
Dress Them in Pajamas
Change your baby's diaper and clothes to their pajamas. Repeating this every day will make them associate the pajamas with sleep. That said, buying several pairs of the same product will be beneficial as they will have the same texture and feel. Your best choice for that is the Momcozy Newborn Sleepers. These are made with skin-safe and soft materials that will ensure your baby is comfortable.
On top of that, these special pajamas have labels that allow you to monitor your baby's temperature. That will help you create the best space for an undisturbed and good sleep.
Sing Your Baby a Lullaby
Feed your baby one last time before bedtime if it is needed. Then, hold them and rock them until they become drowsy but not asleep. When they are in that stage, put them in their crib to let them fall asleep on their own.
Singing a lullaby may make your baby fall asleep faster. Alternatively, you can use the Momcozy Sound Machine, which offers white noise, lullabies, and nature sounds. The best thing about it is you can leave it on and adjust its settings using a phone app. That is helpful since, as mentioned above, an 8-month-old baby is more aware of their environment. The sound machine can block household noises, which may interrupt your baby's sleep.
How To Get an 8-Month-Old to Sleep in a Crib?
You should stick to your routine to make your baby sleep in their crib. Furthermore, consider making adjustments to make them like it. We have some tips for you.
When your baby is awake, put them in their crib and give them board books. Turn the Momcozy Sound Machine on and have some music playing. Stay in the room and make sure your baby can see you. This can create a positive experience related to the crib. That may make your baby like the crib again.
Also, make your baby sleep in their crib during their daytime naps. See if they won't mind sleeping there. If they slept in the crib, take notes. Why did it work? What's different when you are trying to put them down at night? Keep the things that work, like which sheet you used or what sounds are playing. Make adjustments until your baby becomes okay with sleeping in their crib.
FAQs About 8-Month-Old Sleep Schedule
Here are some FAQs about sleep schedules for 8-month-olds.
What Time Should My 8-Month-Old Go to Bed?
An 8-month-old should go to bed between 7 pm - 9 pm. However, ideally, you want them to be already asleep at 8:00 - 8:30 pm. So, start your bedtime routine at 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
What is the Longest Wake Window for an 8-Month-Old?
Your baby's longest wake window lasts 3 - 4 hours long. It is the wake window between their second nap and bedtime. However, that only applies if your baby is already taking only two naps a day. If they still nap 3 times, that wake window will be shorter.
How Many Night Feeds for an 8-Month-Old?
An 8-month-old does not need night feeds. At this point, they are already eating solid foods. On top of that, they should be taking 24 ounces of formula. These give them enough sustenance to sleep through the night.
Conclusion
What does an 8-month-old sleep schedule look like? The nighttime sleep should last for 9 - 12 hours. They should start sleeping around 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Then, their day naps are reduced to just two, lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours each. They may experience sleep regression, which will make falling and staying asleep more difficult. You should stick to a consistent bedtime routine to help your baby overcome it.
