The 6 Month Sleep Regression

You’ve survived the dreaded 4 month sleep regression – well done!

Over the past few months, your tiny newborn baby has been replaced with a wiggly, giggly 6 month old, who is soaking up the world around them like a little sponge.

What comes along with these new milestones? You got it! The potential for yet another sleep regression! But never fear – by now, I’m sure you’re starting to feel like a pro in the tired parent department.

The 6 month sleep regression may not be as shocking as the 4 month one, but it still isn’t easy!

More often than not, all of those new and exciting developmental changes are the cause of this regression – your baby wants to roll, to move, to talk… and they’re much more aware of what’s going on around them. Who wants to sleep when you might miss out on all the fun?

You’ll be able to recognise the signs of a regression quite quickly by now:

• Restless sleep
• Regular wake ups
• Fussy Behaviour
• Altered nap schedules

The same rules apply during the 6 month sleep regression – routine, consistency, safe sleeping, and making sure your baby is going to bed in age/stage appropriate sleepwear.

An especially useful tip for this age though, is to really focus on those developmental milestones that your baby is working on.

Spend lots of time throughout the day practising these new skills: rolling, sitting, chatting, playing peek-a-boo! The more active your baby is during their awake times, the more they’ll be ready for sleep rather than play when it comes to bedtime! As always though, sleep regressions take time to pass, so patience (and coffee!) is key.

Your baby will continue to grow and change right before your very eyes, so keep on keeping on and remember – if nobody has told you this today, you’re doing a GREAT job!

Read more articles from the sleep regression series here:

Sleep Regression in Babies - Recognising the Signs
The 4 Month Sleep Regression
The 6 Month Sleep Regression
The 8 Month Sleep Regression
The 12 Month Sleep Regression
The 18 Month Sleep Regression