Updated May 2025

Just when you thought you'd finally cracked the sleep code, right around the 9-month mark, things can suddenly go a little haywire. Sound familiar? If your once champion sleeper is now protesting bedtime or skipping naps like it's an Olympic sport, you're likely in the thick of the 9-month sleep regression. Trust me, you're not alone, and understanding what's going on can make a world of difference in how you navigate this temporary bump in the road.

Why the Sudden Sleep Shenanigans at 9 Months?

Around this age, your little explorer is hitting some major developmental milestones. Think crawling, pulling up, maybe even attempting those wobbly first steps (cue the proud tears!). These are HUGE leaps, but guess when your baby's brain often wants to practice these newfound skills? Yep, you guessed it – when they should be sleeping.

Those Amazing (But Sleep-Disrupting) Developmental Milestones

It's incredible to watch them grow, but these new abilities can seriously mess with sleep:

• Bedtime restlessness: Suddenly, the cot becomes a playground for practicing those new moves. Instead of drifting off, they might be crawling laps or pulling themselves up to see the world from a new angle.
• Night wakings: They might wake up wide-eyed in the middle of the night, eager to practice their standing or just generally explore their surroundings. Attention seeking can also play a role here.
• Nap resistance: Those previously reliable nap times? Forget about it! Suddenly, the world is far too interesting to waste time sleeping.

Hang in there! These are all totally normal signs of your baby's incredible development, even if they leave you feeling like a zombie.

The Clingy Phase and the Growing Need for Independence (It's a Confusing Time!)

At the same time as all this physical development, your baby is also starting to grasp something called object permanence – the understanding that even when you're out of sight, you still exist. This can lead to a bit of a clingy phase, especially around sleep times:
   

• Extra clinginess at bedtime: They might want to be held close, needing extra reassurance before you put them down.
• Protest at being left alone: Cue the tears and resistance when you try to put them in their cot. It's all part of them realizing you're leaving and perhaps not fully understanding you'll be back.

Combine this with their newfound physical prowess, and you've got a recipe for some seriously disrupted sleep. It's a lot for their little minds and bodies to process!

What NOT to Do: Steering Clear of Habits That Might Stick

When you're in the thick of sleep deprivation, the urge to just do *anything* for a bit of peace is strong. Trust me, I've been there! But sometimes, those quick fixes can accidentally create longer-term sleep challenges.

Common Pitfalls to Try and Avoid:

• Bringing back night feeds (if they've outgrown them): If your little one is happily eating solids during the day, those night wakings are likely about comfort or connection, not true hunger. Reintroducing feeds can reinforce the night waking.
• Holding them for every single nap: While cuddles are lovely, consistently holding for naps can quickly become an expectation that's tough to break later on.
• Jumping in too quickly: Every little whimper doesn't necessarily mean they need you to rush in. Sometimes, they're just resettling themselves. Constant intervention can actually prevent them from learning this crucial skill.
  

What TO Do: Supportive Strategies That Actually Work

Instead of creating new sleep associations you might later want to undo, let's focus on calm, consistent responses that support your baby's ability to self-soothe:

• Offer reassurance, not a "fix": A gentle voice, a soft pat on the back – these can be incredibly soothing without offering a bottle or picking them up immediately. Let them know you're there.
• Give them a chance to resettle: If they've shown the ability to self-settle before, trust that they can likely do it again. Give them a few minutes to see if they can find their way back to sleep.
• Encourage lots of daytime play: Let them practice all that crawling, climbing, and standing during their wake windows. This can help tire them out physically and reduce the urge to practice in their cot at bedtime.
  
  

Tips for Tackling Those Pesky Nap Strikes and Night Wakings:

• Stick to your nap routine: Even if they don't sleep, offering a consistent opportunity for a nap each day helps regulate their body clock.
• Try to minimize motion sleep: While sometimes unavoidable, too much time in bouncers, car seats, or strollers for naps can mask tiredness and make it harder for them to settle in their cot.
• Stay as calm and confident as you can: I know it's hard when you're exhausted, but your calm demeanor can actually help your restless baby feel safer and more secure. They pick up on your cues!

Remember This: It's a Phase, Not Forever!

I know it might not feel like it when you're bleary-eyed at 3 am, but this challenging period *will* pass. As your baby gets the hang of their new physical skills and their little brain continues to develop, their sleep patterns will likely settle again. Your patience and loving consistency are key to helping them through this.

Key Takeaways for Your Weary Brain:

• The 9-month sleep regression is often a result of exciting leaps in physical and emotional development.
• It's completely normal for your baby to treat their cot like a gym or playground instead of a sleep sanctuary.
• Respond with calm reassurance, try to avoid starting new sleep habits, and give your little one some space to figure things out.
• Support healthy sleep by providing ample opportunities for daytime physical activity, maintaining consistent nap routines, and reducing reliance on feeding or rocking to sleep.
  

You've got this, mama (or dada)! By understanding what your baby is going through and responding with a consistent and loving approach, you'll navigate this 9-month sleep regression with confidence and care, and brighter, more rested days are on the horizon.

Emma Purdue

Emma is the owner and founder of Baby Sleep Consultant, she is a Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant, Happiest Baby on the Block Educator, Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne Certificate in Infant Sleep, a Bachelor of Science, and Diploma in Education.

Emma is a mother to 3 children, and loves writing when she isn't working with tired clients and cheering on her team helping thousands of mums just like you.

Our Baby Sleep Program helps tired parents TO DEVELOP HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS BY FOCUSING ON NAPS, SETTLING AND NIGHT SLEEP.

• Empowered: Feel empowered as a Mum as you learn to understand your growing baby's needs and cues.
•  Simple effective settling: Gentle, proven self soothing, evidence based techniques.
•  Content happy baby and parents: Better sleep creates content babies & happy parents.
•  Freedom: Predictable routines and longer nights creates freedom. Solve your sleep problems for more freedom.
•  Work with your babies circadian rhythm: Work with your babies biological clock for faster easier results.
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