It’s very common for babies to experience a 9 month sleep regression. Learn the signs of the 9-month-old sleep regression as well as tips on how to make it through!
You’ll often hear new parents describe the nine-month-old phase as one of their favorite times in their baby’s development. This is when your baby’s personality really starts to shine!
But just like other sleep regressions, big developmental changes around the nine-month mark can bring a sleep regression along with it.
Thankfully, now you’ve got some serious experience under your belt. You’ve been doing this for nine months already, can you believe it?
You already know how to read your baby’s sleep cues. You understand how to soothe and comfort your baby. And hopefully you know how to separate good sleep habits from bad ones.
The bottom line is: you and your baby will get through this 9-month sleep regression. Let’s troubleshoot the 9-month sleep regression together and see if we can kick your baby’s sleep troubles to the curb!
Learn how to stop nursing to sleep and teach independent sleep habits with The Baby D.R.E.A.M. System, my baby sleep course, designed for babies 4 months through 2.5 years old. You’ll learn how to teach your baby to sleep independently, wean night feeds, and encourage longer naps and night sleep! Learn more here.
How Long Does the 9-Month Sleep Regression Last?
I know it feels like you just got through the last sleep regression—it wasn’t that long ago! I’m sure you’re wondering: why is my nine-month-old suddenly not sleeping…again?!
Just like with the 6 month sleep regression, the 9-month sleep regression can be triggered when your baby learns new skills.
Thankfully, once you’ve made it through one sleep regression, you know the next one will eventually come to an end.
The 9-month sleep regression usually lasts between 2 to 6 weeks.
Don’t let the name fool you, either: it can happen to your baby anywhere between 8 and 10 months of age and is often referred to as the 8-month sleep regression or 10 month sleep regression as well. Babies just hit it at different times!
Keep an eye out for signs that your baby is headed into the 9-month sleep regression. If you spot the signs, you may be able to mitigate some of the regression impact on your family.
The good news is, if you already have a good sleeper, they’re less likely to be affected by sleep regressions!
Signs of the 9-Month Sleep Regression
Here are some signs your baby is hitting the 9-month sleep regression:
- Resisting nap time or bedtime
- More frequent night wakings or new night wake ups if your baby was sleeping through the night
- Increased crying or fussiness at sleep times
- Your baby waking up too early from naps or in the morning
Why is My 9-Month-Old Waking at Night?
Parents who have been through it know that the 9-month sleep regression won’t last forever. But when you’re in the middle of it, it feels like it’s going to last an eternity. And you probably want it to end it sooner rather than later!
Why is your little one suddenly fighting sleep, waking in the middle of the night again, or waking up too early?
There are a lot of things going on for your baby that can intensify or contribute to this regression.
Brain Growth Spurt
Chances are that you’re starting to catch glimpses of your baby’s personality more and more. It’s so exciting to see the little person they’re becoming!
It’s also a lot of work for them to wrap their minds around all of these new feelings and comprehension.
Your nine-month-old is starting to understand more words and might even be babbling or approximating words to communicate with you.
Imagine finally being able to connect the dots on something as profound and essential as language—for the very first time! It’s no wonder your baby would rather not sleep.
New Physical Milestones
Your baby is going through so many physical changes that first year and are capable of so much at nine months old!
Physically speaking, your baby is putting all their new muscle development to the test. Your baby may have already mastered crawling, which is great!
Maybe now they’re working on new motor skills like pulling up to a standing position and cruising on the edges of furniture.
Truth be told, you baby wants more time to master these skills. Having their practice time interrupted by a sleep schedule can interrupt their playtime and cause sleep issues.
Make sure to give your baby plenty of time during their awake times to practice their new skills to avoid sleep disturbances.
Teething
In addition to using their muscles in new ways, another physical development is happening inside your baby’s mouth. Here come more teeth!
Did you know that by nine months old, your baby can have as many as eight teeth waiting to rupture through their gums?
It’s no wonder that teething is often blamed for sleep problems!
While teething isn’t the only cause of this sleep regression, it can definitely contribute to your baby’s discomfort.
Your baby may become acutely aware that their gums are causing them pain, especially when they’re laying down for sleep and don’t have any distractions.
See how to help your teething baby sleep if that’s the culprit!
First Foods
You’re probably way past the cereal-only solid food days and deep into whole food exploration with your baby.
It’s so much fun to witness them trying new foods for the first time! But along with all of the excitement comes a pretty big demand on their little GI systems.
You might start to notice that your once-regular baby is now on a poo-strike.
Constipation often goes hand-in-hand with introducing new foods into your baby’s diet. And unfortunately, a baby who is not pooping is often going to have trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep.
Separation Anxiety
Every day, your baby is forming a stronger attachment to you and a select few others. With this stronger attachment comes a strong separation anxiety and a hesitation to be apart from you.
Your baby is getting to a point where their brain can finally understand object permanence. This means that even though your baby can’t see you, they know that you still exist and that you may still be nearby. They want to know: if you’re still around, why aren’t you right here with me?
Separation anxiety can be a big part of the 9-month sleep regression. In this case, it’s important to stay consistent in the sleep habits you’ve established for your baby and not start new habits you don’t want to break later down the line.
5 Tips to Make it Through the 9-Month Sleep Regression
So what can you do to help your baby through this 9-month sleep regression? Here are five tips to help make it through to the other side.
1. Establish Good Sleep Habits
Setting up good sleep habits can help mitigate sleep regressions or possibly avoid them altogether. I recommend being on a solid 9-month sleep schedule and setting up independent sleep habits.
If you haven’t already, set up a consistent bedtime routine. This can include a feeding, pajamas, bedtime story, and snuggles.
Make sure to also create an optimum sleep environment which includes blackout curtains, white noise, and a good temperature for sleeping.
2. Follow Age-Appropriate Wake Windows
Follow appropriate wake windows (which increase as your baby ages). The average nine-month-old needs between 12 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, which includes about 2 to 3 hours of daytime sleep.
A 9-month old’s wake windows should be between 3 to 3.5 hours, including eat and play time.
If you haven’t dropped the third nap and made the transition from 3 to 2 naps yet, it’s time to make that nap transition now!
A sample nap schedule for your 8 to 10 month old is:
7:00 am — Wake for the day
10:00 to 11:15 am — Nap 1
2:45 to 4:00 pm — Nap 2
7:30 pm — Bedtime
3. Avoid Overtiredness
Do your best to avoid an overtired baby or overstimulated baby. Both of these things are barriers to sleep for your baby. Remember: a well-rested baby during the day will always sleep better at night!
4. Stay Consistent
The best thing you can do for your baby’s sleep is to stay consistent.
Don’t introduce a new sleep association during a sleep regression—even if you feel desperate! This is not the time to start rocking or nursing to sleep for the first time, because you’ll have a tricky time breaking those sleep associations later.
And keep in mind that co-sleeping is not a recommended safe sleep practice, no matter how exhausted you both may feel.
If your baby is standing in their crib at sleep times, you can give them some time and space to figure out how to get back down.
You can sleep train through a regression. I’d recommend a sleep training method such as the sleep wave or controlled cry. Sleep training doesn’t mean you have to leave your baby to cry it out!
5. Check with Your Pediatrician
Lastly, talk to your pediatrician if you suspect there may be a medical issue impacting your baby’s sleep.
Sometimes a pesky ear infection can impact sleep and give your baby no other symptoms. Check with your child’s doctor to make sure there isn’t an underlying health condition.
Sleep regressions can be so stressful for you and your family, but they don’t last forever. Do your best to focus on all those healthy baby sleep habits you’ve already developed. I hope you found some helpful tips!
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