If sleep consistency for your baby seems to be getting harder to find, join the club! Months 8-12 are notorious in the sleep department. We’ll break down some reasons why this is a commonly shared struggle.

First, let’s check expectations. It’s normal for sleep to ebb and flow. This is true during the baby’s first year, toddlerhood, and childhood.

Sometimes, the stress we carry during these older baby months stems from unrealistic adult expectations that increase merely because the first birthday is around the corner. We assume age = better sleep. Sleep is simply not linear like this.

You may find more calm simply by accepting what this stage currently entails: ups and downs. Some nights, they’ll sleep through. Other nights, they won’t. And this is okay. Tiring, but okay.

As your baby grows, they develop a stronger sense of attachment and awareness of separation. From your baby's perspective, bedtime marks a temporary separation, even if it's in the safety of their crib. So, while bedtime is meant to be a restful time, it can trigger separation anxiety.

Acknowledging and addressing separation anxiety can contribute to a smoother bedtime experience. Create a comforting routine, reassure your baby with soothing words or a favorite blanket, and remind yourself that strides with independent sleep will come from connection.

Babies undergo significant cognitive and physical leaps during their first year, and the latter half of this first year is full of them. These developmental milestones, while exciting, can disrupt sleep patterns. Increased brain activity and physical growth spurts may lead to restlessness.

Remember, there is no “hack” to get through sleep regressions (or progressions in their development) other than to stay consistent in your bedtime routines and continue practicing positive sleep hygiene: cool, dark environment, free of bright lights, screens, or stimulating toys.

The journey to peaceful nights with your baby, soon-to-be-toddler, is a dynamic and individualized process. By acknowledging the nonlinear nature of sleep, understanding separation anxiety, and recognizing the impact of developmental leaps, you just might find that sleep feels less daunting when you approach it with patience and compassion.