The 6-Month Sleep Regression: Causes and Solutions
If your baby was sleeping well and suddenly begins waking more at night or fighting naps around six months, you may be dealing with the 6-month sleep regression. This phase can feel frustrating, but it’s completely normal and – best of all - temporary!
What Causes the 6-Month Sleep Regression?
Several developmental changes occur around this time, leading to disrupted sleep:
1. Increased Mobility
Many babies start rolling, scooting, or even attempting to crawl at this age. These newfound skills can make it harder for them to settle down at bedtime because they are eager to practice.
Sometimes, babies wake up in the middle of the night stuck in an awkward position or excitedly trying to move around. Providing plenty of time for movement practice during the day can help reduce nighttime restlessness. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that the highest prevalence of parent-reported sleep problems occurred at 6 months, coinciding with significant motor development milestones. (Valla, et al.)
2. Separation Anxiety
Around six months, babies develop a stronger attachment to their caregivers and become more aware of their absence. This means they may cry out more frequently when put down to sleep, as they want reassurance that you are nearby. While specific studies on separation anxiety at six months are limited, pediatric development experts widely recognize this as a normal phase.
To ease this transition, try practicing short periods of separation during the day. Before the updated guidelines for sleep established by the AAP were released, I frequently recommended using a comfort item like a small breathable blanket or lovey as a transitional object at night. However, this practice is no longer recommended because of the risk associated with SIDS. It is ultimately YOUR decision whether or not to offer your child a transitional object, since you are the parents!
3. Nap Transitions
At this stage, some babies start resisting naps, especially if they are still on a 4-nap schedule. If your baby is experiencing issues at naptimes, it may be they are ready to switch to a 3-nap schedule. This transition can take about 2-3 weeks, which can lead to overtiredness. Overtiredness can make falling asleep and staying asleep harder.
To navigate this, watch for your baby’s sleep cues and gradually lengthen their wake windows to adjust to a more stable nap schedule. In other words, start working toward a “by-the-clock” schedule for naps. Biologically appropriate nap times (~9am, ~12pm & 3/4pm) are more restorative because the natural biorhythms that govern the body make it easier for a baby at 6 months to fall asleep at those “by-the-clock” times.
While direct studies on nap transitions at six months are scarce, sleep experts acknowledge that nap patterns evolve as infants grow. (Weissbluth, 1995.)
4. Teething Pain
The first teeth often start erupting around this age, and it is possible that discomfort can make it harder for your baby to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. However, this belief is anecdotal. Teething does not cause night waking.
In a study just published in The Journal of Pediatrics, 2025, the researchers studied the relationship between teething and infant sleep problems caused by eruption of teeth. Their conclusion was there was no significant differences in sleep metrics between teething and non-teething nights. Also, an earlier Finnish study concluded that teething does not cause fevers, elevated white blood cell counts, or inflammation. Most importantly, teething did not cause night waking.
Night waking between the ages of six and eighteen months is more likely due to nap deprivation, overstimulation, or abnormal sleep schedules – not teething. (Kahn, et al., 2025.)
How to Navigate the 6-Month Sleep Regression
1. Stick to a Consistent Routine
A predictable bedtime and nap routine can provide a sense of security and help your baby transition more smoothly into sleep. Keeping activities like a warm bath, story time, and a dimly lit room consistent can signal that it’s time for rest. Over time, your baby will learn to associate these cues with sleep, making it easier for them to settle. A study highlighted in The Sleep Doctor suggests that a consistent bedtime routine helps ease babies into sleep. (Mindell et al., 2017; Mindell et al., 2018.)
2. Encourage Independent Sleep Skills
If your baby relies on being rocked or fed to sleep, now is a great time to introduce self-soothing techniques. Gradually reducing sleep associations can help them learn to fall asleep independently. This can minimize frequent night wakings and lead to longer, more restful sleep.
Take, for example, a baby who is used to being fed to sleep. You can rearrange your bedtime routine by moving the feeding earlier - feeding first and then reading a book. Then, you can rock to sleep. Once you’ve accomplished that, you can hold to sleep – no rocking. Once your baby is falling asleep with just being held, it will be an easier transition to putting them down in the crib awake. (If you need more guidance, contact me at Stargazer Sleep!)
Research indicates that infants who can self-soothe are more likely to sleep through the night. (Anders, et al., 1992.)
3. Manage Discomfort
Ensuring that your baby is appropriately dressed for sleep can help minimize disruptions. Check the TOG rating on the sleep sack you’re using to see if it is warm enough (or cool enough) for the temperature.
Additionally, an overtired baby will struggle to fall asleep (think about how hard it is for you to fall asleep when you’re extra-tired!), so keeping a balanced schedule with appropriate nap times is key. At 6 months, expect your baby to be taking 3 naps/day, usually at 8:30/9:00am, 12:00/12:30pm, and 3:30/4:00pm, totaling 2.5-3 hours. If your baby is not hitting that total for daytime sleep, there are lots of ways to approach this. For more information, let’s talk!
4. Allow Plenty of Time for Practicing New Skills
Babies need time to practice their newly developed mobility skills during the day. Their need to practice these skills drives them to practice in the middle of the night. Providing ample tummy time, supervised play, and encouraging rolling or sitting practice can help them feel more settled at night. This way, they are less likely to wake up wanting to practice in their crib, allowing for more restful sleep. (Atun-Einy, et al., 2016.)
The 6-month sleep regression can feel like a challenging phase, but with consistency and a solid sleep plan, your baby’s sleep will improve. By supporting their development, maintaining a predictable routine, and encouraging independent sleep skills, you can help ease the transition and minimize disruptions. Remember, this phase is temporary—stay patient, and soon your little one will be back to sleeping more peacefully!
References
Anders, T. F., Halpern, L. F., & Hua, J. (1992). Sleeping through the night: A developmental perspective. Pediatrics, 90(4), 554–560.
Atun-Einy, O., & Scher, A. (2016). Sleep disruption and motor development: Does pulling-to-stand impact sleep–wake regulation? Infant Behavior and Development, 42, 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2015.11.003
Buss, K. A., Davidson, R. J., Kalin, N. H., & Goldsmith, H. H. (2003). Right frontal brain activity, cortisol, and withdrawal behavior in 6-month-old infants. Behavioral Neuroscience, 117(1), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7044.117.1.11
Galland, B. C., Taylor, B. J., Elder, D. E., & Herbison, P. (2012). Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: A systematic review of observational studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(3), 213–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2011.06.001
Kahn, M., Tikotzky, L., Manber, R., & Sadeh, A. (2025). Does teething disrupt infant sleep? A longitudinal auto-videosomnography study. The Journal of Pediatrics, 279, 114461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114461
Mindell, J. A., & Williamson, A. A. (2018). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 40, 93–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2017.10.007
Mindell, J. A., Leichman, E. S., Lee, C., Williamson, A. A., & Walters, R. M. (2017). Implementation of a nightly bedtime routine: How quickly do things improve? Infant Behavior and Development, 49, 220–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.09.005
Valla, L., Wentzel-Larsen, T., Hofoss, D., Slinning, K., & Bjertness, E. (2022). Sleep problems reduced from 6 to 24 months of age with no evidence of links between disturbed sleep and later developmental problems. Acta Paediatrica, 111(7), 1354–1361. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16313
Weissbluth, M. (1995). Naps in children: 6 months–7 years. Sleep, 18(2), 82–87. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/18.2.82
