8-Month-Old Waking Every Hour? 7 Reasons Why & What Can Help.
If your 8-month-old is waking every hour at night, you're probably exhausted and wondering what happened. One week your baby seems to be sleeping well, and the next, they're waking up all night long. The good news is that sleep disruptions are common around 8 months, and there are things you can do to help.
Let's look at seven common reasons your baby may be waking frequently and what you can do about them.
1. Your Baby Needs Help Falling Asleep
This is one of the biggest reasons babies wake frequently at night.
If your baby falls asleep while doing one of the following, they may look for that same help when they wake overnight:
Nursing
Drinking a bottle
Being rocked
Being bounced
Being held
Babies wake briefly between sleep cycles, just like adults do. If your baby relies on your help to fall asleep, they may need that same assistance to get back to sleep.
What can help: Start by looking at how your baby falls asleep at bedtime. If they're relying on rocking, feeding, or being held, consider gradually reducing that assistance so they can learn to fall asleep more independently. You don't have to use cry-it-out to make progress!
2. Your Baby Is Learning New Skills
Around 8 months, babies are busy learning new things! They may be:
Crawling
Sitting up
Pulling to stand
Babbling more
Sometimes all this learning can temporarily disrupt sleep. You may even find your baby sitting or standing in their crib instead of settling down.
What can help: Give your baby plenty of opportunities to practice these new skills during the day. If they're learning to stand, practice helping them get back down into a sitting or lying position.
3. Your Baby May Need a Schedule Change
Many babies begin transitioning from three naps to two naps sometime between 7 and 9 months. Signs your baby may be ready include:
Short naps
Fighting naps
Taking longer to fall asleep
More night wakings
Early morning wake-ups
However, not every 8-month-old is ready for two naps. Making the transition too early can sometimes make sleep worse.
What can help: Take a look at your baby's current schedule. If they're consistently fighting their third nap or taking longer to fall asleep, it may be time to consider two naps.
Here's an example of a two-nap schedule for an 8-month-old:
7:00 AM: Wake
10:00–11:15 AM: Nap 1
2:30–3:45 PM: Nap 2
7:30–7:45 PM: Bedtime
Remember, this is just an example. Every baby has different sleep needs, and some 8-month-olds still do better with three naps.
4. Your Baby Is Teething
Teething can sometimes make babies uncomfortable and cause extra night wakings.
However, teething discomfort tends to be temporary. If your baby has been waking every hour for weeks, there's likely something else contributing to the problem.
What can help: If you suspect teething, look for signs such as swollen gums, increased drooling, or a desire to chew on things. Talk with your pediatrician about safe ways to manage discomfort.
5. Your Baby Is Hungry
Some 8-month-olds still need a feeding during the night, and that's perfectly normal.
However, if your baby is waking every hour and only taking a few sips before falling back asleep, hunger may not be the main reason they're waking. Sometimes feeding becomes the way a baby gets back to sleep rather than a response to hunger.
What can help: Make sure your baby is getting adequate breast milk or formula throughout the day, along with age-appropriate solid foods. If you're unsure whether your baby still needs overnight feedings, discuss this with your pediatrician before making changes.
6. Your Baby Is Overtired
When babies don't get enough sleep during the day or stay awake too long between naps, they can become overtired.
This may lead to:
Short naps
More fussiness
Difficulty settling at bedtime
More night wakings
Early morning wake-ups
What can help: Look at how much sleep your baby is getting over 24 hours. Babies between 4 and 12 months generally need 12–16 hours of sleep, including naps, although individual sleep needs vary.
If your baby has had unusually short naps, an earlier bedtime may help. Also, pay attention to how long your baby is staying awake between naps.
7. A Medical Issue May Be Disrupting Sleep
Sometimes frequent night wakings are related to an underlying medical issue, such as:
Ear infections
Reflux
Eczema or itchy skin
Allergies
Airway issues
Oral restrictions
If your baby was previously sleeping well and suddenly begins waking every hour, it's important to consider whether something physical may be bothering them.
What can help: If your baby seems uncomfortable, has symptoms of illness, or is experiencing a sudden change in sleep, check with your pediatrician to rule out a medical issue.
5 Things You Can Try Tonight
If your 8-month-old is waking every hour, here are five things to focus on:
Look at how your baby falls asleep. If they need help falling asleep at bedtime, they may need that same help overnight.
Review your baby's schedule. Make sure naps and wake windows are appropriate for their age and individual sleep needs.
Be consistent. Try to respond to night wakings in a predictable way rather than changing your approach throughout the night.
Practice developmental skills during the day. Give your baby plenty of opportunities to crawl, sit, and practice standing.
Rule out discomfort or illness. If the frequent waking started suddenly, consider whether something physical may be contributing.
When Will Your 8-Month-Old Start Sleeping Better?
The answer depends on what's causing the night wakings. If your baby is going through a developmental phase, sleep may improve as they adjust to their new skills. If the problem is related to their schedule or how they're falling asleep, some changes may be needed. I find that often it's a combination of things.
The most important thing is to identify what's contributing to the frequent wake-ups rather than assuming every sleep disruption is an 8-month sleep regression.
Need Help With Your 8-Month-Old's Sleep?
If you've tried adjusting your baby's schedule and they're still waking frequently, you don't have to figure it all out on your own. As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant with over nine years of experience, I help families identify what's contributing to their baby's sleep challenges and create an individualized plan that works for their family.
I offer a complimentary 30-minute discovery call where we can discuss your baby's sleep challenges, your goals, and how my coaching services work. Reach out today at pediatricsleepcoach@gmail.com and start your journey to better sleep!
