6 Month Sleep Regression: Signs, How Long & What to Do

If you are wondering how to get past the 6 month sleep regression, this one’s for you! It’s just after you’ve finally gotten into the swing of things with your baby’s sleep that the 6 month regression seems to creep in…

 

After the regressions at 6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, and anything in between, you’d think you could catch a break!

 

Just like every other sleep regression your baby has gone through and will go through, you’ll know when it’s happening when sleep just all of the sudden changes…but not for the better. 

 

It can be extremely helpful to know what to expect, be prepared, and learn how to continue to optimize their sleep while also getting it back on track.

 

In this blog I’m going to talk about:

 

What is the 6 month sleep regression?

 

What are the signs of the 6 month sleep regression and how long does it last?

 

How to get past the 6 month sleep regression

What is the 6 month sleep regression?

 

6 month old baby being rocked back to sleep | The Peaceful Sleeper

 

Before I get into the details of the 6 month sleep regression, it’s important to understand that sleep regressions happen all the time and at any point during your baby’s first few years. 

 

This particular regression is most likely caused by all the growth and development your baby is going through during this time. Right around 6 months, your baby is experiencing different developmental leaps and a big growth spurt.

 

Along with all their growth and development, they also might be experiencing new changes in their daytime sleep. Right around 6 months is when many babies are ready to move from 3 naps to 2.

 

Here are some signs that your baby might be ready to drop from 3 naps to 2:

 

  • Their first nap is solid, their second nap gets shorter, and their third nap is a total fight
  • All of your baby’s naps feel solid, but bedtime is starting to get a little late (hello, early morning wake-ups)
  • ALL sleep has fallen apart…none of their sleep is solid and you have no idea what to do to help

 

*I have a blog all about dropping to 2 naps around this age, along with my favorite 2 nap schedule, the 2-3-4 schedule!

 

 

2-3-4 Nap Schedule Instagram Reel | The Peaceful Sleeper

Click here to watch an Instagram reel about the 2-3-4 nap schedule.

 

If it’s naps that seem to be the biggest struggle for your baby, check out my FREE Ultimate Naps Guide! 

 

If you haven’t already, download my FREE Ultimate Naps Guide. It’ll give you all the knowledge you need to help your baby (or toddler) take great naps! Download for free here 💤

 

All of this to say, it’s totally normal if it feels like all of the sleep progress you just made at 4-5 months with sleep learning goes out the window for a little bit. This regression won’t last long!

 

6 month sleep regression signs

 

There are a few more specific changes that might happen in the middle of the night that can signal you may be experiencing the 6 month sleep regression. Here are common signs of the 6 month sleep regression:

  1. Early morning waking issues
  2. Baby needs another nighttime feeding
  3. Middle-of-the-night dance parties in the crib

 

Let’s look at each sign below. 👇

 

1. Early morning waking issues

 

Those early morning wakings can be SO hard. If it’s due to the 6 month sleep regression (and it likely is if you’re reading this blog post), stay consistent and power through. 

 

Check out this post on Instagram for more tips and information on early wake-ups!

 

 

Early Morning Baby Wakings Instagram Post | The Peaceful Sleeper

Click here to see the post on Instagram.

 

2. Baby needs another nighttime feeding

 

As I mentioned earlier, your baby is hitting a huge growth spurt around the 6 month mark! This can lead to needing another feeding and throwing off the nighttime routine.

 

3. Middle-of-the-night dance parties in the crib

 

Remember how you felt the night before a new job, or a field trip, or Christmas Eve…and you couldn’t sleep (even though you REALLY wanted to) no matter how hard you tried? When babies are learning new skills, their brain just gets SO excited. 

 

For little babies, this excitement feels the same, but can quickly turn to frustration since they are REALLY tired and REALLY need to sleep. This midnight party doesn’t just happen at 6 months…it is totally normal to happen anytime they’re hitting developmental milestones and/or working on new skills!

 

Developmental Milestones and Baby Sleep Instagram Reel | The Peaceful Sleeper

Click here to watch a video and learn more about developmental milestones and baby sleep on Instagram!

 

The 4-24 Month Content Library will help you get your baby to fall asleep independently, take predictable naps & sleep through the night. Get access to the content library here!

 

How long does the 6 month sleep regression last?

 

The good news about the 6 month sleep regression? It shouldn’t last long.

The key is to try not to get too overwhelmed, stay calm, and keep moving forward. Like most regressions, it can resolve within 2 weeks!

It all comes down to having a plan and making the changes necessary to overcome the regression! ⤵️

 

How to get past the 6 month sleep regression

 

Similar to many of the sleep regressions your baby will go through, the best thing to do to get past the 6 month sleep regression is to push through. I know how hard it can be, especially since you just finished teaching them independent sleep skills

 

Don’t be discouraged! Sleep regressions are normal and natural, even after we’ve solidified those sleep skills.

 

If you haven’t taught them independent sleep skills and are wondering when to start, check out this post!

 

When to Start Sleep Learning Instagram Reel | The Peaceful Sleeper

Click here to watch a video about when it’s time to start sleep learning on Instagram.

 

If you haven’t already, download my FREE Ultimate Naps Guide. It’ll give you all the knowledge you need to help your baby (or toddler) take great naps! Download for free here 💤

 

Earlier in this blog I mentioned the midnight dance parties your 6 month old might be having – the most common of signs for the 6 month sleep regression. Here’s what you can do to overcome this regression:

 

1. Let them work it out on their own

 

If your baby is happy in their crib, try giving them the time and space to just work out their excitement on their own.  Because they DO need their sleep at some point, consider capping their party at about 60 minutes. 

 

If they’re upset about your party pooping and the party dissolves into tears, give them a few minutes to calm down and then move to step #2. 

 

2. Intervene and help them get back to sleep

 

At this point, it’s worth it to go in and help soothe them back to sleep.

 

6 Month Old Baby awake instead of napping | The Peaceful Sleeper

 

6 Month Old Sleep Regression Recap

 

6 months is an exciting time! There is so much growth and so many milestones to work on and celebrate that your baby can’t help but be just as excited as you are.  As a result, we often see issues in their sleep, aka, the 6 month sleep regression.

 

When wondering how to get past the 6 month sleep regression, know there’s no need to fear! As long as we stay consistent in providing time and space for sleep at naptime and bedtime, this regression (like most others your baby will experience) can resolve itself within 2 weeks.

 

Know that you do NOT have to go through this alone! I offer a 4-24 Month Content Library that is FULL of guides, videos, and all the information you need to get GREAT sleep!

 

Learn more and get access to the 4-24 Month Content Library here.

 

The 4-24 Month Content Library will help you get your baby to fall asleep independently, take predictable naps & sleep through the night. Get access to the content library here!
Christine Lawler

Christine Lawler

MS, LMFT, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Hi! I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, practicing for over 13 years. I’ve set out to do ALL of the research and I created a method to optimize baby sleep that is tuned in, empowering and WORKS. There absolutely should be joy in motherhood, and I have learned that every baby CAN get better sleep!

Read more about my team here.

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