9 Month Sleep Regression: How to Avoid It or Fix It

It’s common for babies around 9 months old to experience sleep regression. This is when a baby who was previously sleeping well experiences periods of difficulty sleeping, suddenly when it wasn’t an issue before. It can be a stressful experience for both parents and baby! Here are some tips for avoiding or addressing 9 month sleep regression:

Avoiding Sleep Regression

• Develop a consistent sleep routine and stick to it. This involves a consistent bedtime, naptime and wake-up time.
• Allow your baby to become used to their bedroom environment by avoiding over-stimulation before bed.
• If appropriate, let your baby look at books or practice tummy time during the day.

Fixing Sleep Regression

• Create a safe and soothing environment. Reduce noise and light in your baby’s bedroom, if possible.
• Try to avoid sleep crutches. This includes rocking your baby to sleep, nursing or bottle feeding your baby to sleep, or using a pacifier to help them stay asleep.
• Encourage self-soothing skills. Babies should be able to put themselves to sleep without assistance.
• Make small changes to your child’s sleep routine. Adjust bedtime and naptime to give your baby a slightly longer break between sleep times.
• Look for possible triggers. Temperature, hunger, sickness, or teething may be causing the sleep regression.

When dealing with 9 month sleep regression, it’s important to remember that you and your baby will get through this. With a consistent routine, a soothing environment, and some patience, you can help your little one through this difficult transition.