Parenting
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6-month sleep regression: Is it real, signs and how to cope
Medically Reviewed Arielle Greenleaf, a pediatric sleep consultant and founder of Expect to Sleep Again Sleep Consulting
Written by Cradlewise Staff
Last week your baby slept five hours straight. Tonight you are up multiple times in the night, and each time you wonder what changed. If your baby is around six months old, you may have seen this called the 6-month sleep regression.
A six-month sleep regression is a popular term for a temporary period of disrupted sleep that a healthy infant goes through. However, it is not a milestone every baby is guaranteed to experience.
This guide covers whether a 6-month regression is real, the signs to look for, what are the causes, and how you can cope. It also covers when to call your pediatrician and whether you should start or hold on sleep training. We spoke to Arielle Greenleaf, a pediatric sleep consultant and founder of Expect to Sleep Again Sleep Consulting, and have included her insights in the article.
Is there a 6-month sleep regression?
Some babies go through a sleep regression around 6 months, and many do not. Sleep Foundation says the same, and adds that some families see sleep improve around this age.
However, Arielle says there’s no specific 6-month regression:
Arielle Greenleaf explains: “Regressions” or sudden sleep disruptions can happen when a baby is going through any sort of physical and cognitive development. Because babies develop on different timelines, these sleep disruptions can happen at any age.
Is the 6-month sleep regression worse than the 4-month?
For most families, no. Many parents find the 4-month sleep regression the hardest of the first year, due to significant developmental changes happening in your baby’s brain and body around this age.
Read our sleep regression guide to understand the reasons in depth.
Arielle notes: Some babies are more sensitive to new skills and to small changes such as travel, illness, a new caregiver or a new home, and those babies tend to have more sleep disruption than others. If yours is one of them, a rough stretch may feel big and disruptive, whatever the age.
How much sleep does a 6-month-old need?
6-month old babies need about 12 to 16 hours of sleep in every 24 hours, including naps, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Most 6-month-olds take two or three naps a day, and many sleep for longer stretches at night.
- Wake windows at this age often stretch from 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
You will find sample schedules in our 6-month-old baby sleep guide and more on timing in our wake windows guide.
6-month sleep regression signs
Most parents describe a 6-month sleep regression in their baby with the following changes:
- More night wakings, often with more trouble getting back to sleep
- Trouble falling asleep at bedtime, with crying and protesting
- Shorter or skipped naps
- More crying or fussing during naptimes
- Early morning wakings, and struggling to go back to sleep
How long does the 6-month sleep regression last?
Sleep problems at this age usually settle within a few days or weeks, though a plateau in sleep progress can last longer, according to the Sleep Foundation.
What causes sleep regression at 6 months?
There is usually no single cause.
A study published by the University of Haifa establishes the fact that a crawling baby will be up more at night. In the study, the average age for the babies to begin crawling was 7 months. However, the process of learning to crawl may begin earlier in some babies, as early as 5 months, while some babies may not crawl at all.
Other causes include:
- Greater awareness of sounds and surroundings can cause overstimulation and disrupt your baby’s sleep.
- Growing awareness of caregivers may cause separation anxiety and disturb their sleep.
- In case a new routine is introduced, your baby may need time to adjust to it.
- Travel, a new caregiver, or moving to a new home can also hinder your infant’s sleep.
- Feeling unwell or uncomfortable can interfere with their sleep.
Is there a developmental leap or growth spurt at 6 months?
There is a lot of development happening for your baby at this age. The CDC’s 6-month milestones include taking turns making sounds with you, squealing, blowing raspberries and reaching for a toy, and many babies are also learning to roll and sit. All that practice for mastering new skills can affect their sleep.
Growth spurts can play a part too. The USDA’s WIC Breastfeeding Support program notes that growth spurts commonly occur around 6 months, usually last a few days, and can leave babies wanting to feed more often.
However, if your 6-month-old suddenly seems hungrier and wants more night feeds for more than a week or two, Arielle suggests discussing with a pediatrician.
Our sleep regression guide also covers how a regression differs from a growth spurt.
How to help your baby through the 6-month sleep regression
There is no single tip that makes a regression disappear overnight, but these steps support better sleep:
- Keep wake windows age-appropriate. Overtired babies and under-tired babies both struggle to settle. You may check the range in our wake windows guide.
- Repeat the same bedtime steps each night. Research cited by the Sleep Foundation links bedtime routines with better infant sleep. Feeding before bed and calm activities such as rocking or cuddling help your baby wind down.
- Make the room dark and quiet. White noise can cover sounds from the rest of the house, and can promote better sleep. However, keep the white noise machine, at least 7 feet away, from the crib, and at a low volume (50-60 decibels).
- Put your baby down drowsy but awake. When you spot eye rubbing or fussiness, move your baby to the crib while sleepy but not yet asleep, so the crib becomes a place for drifting off.
- Give new skills plenty of daytime practice. Floor time and active play, ideally with natural light, help your baby learn that daytime is for play and nighttime is for sleep.
- Pause before rushing in. If your baby wakes, wait a minute or two to see if they settle on their own. If you do go in, keep the lights and sound low.
- Keep the routine steady. Arielle says one of the most common ways parents accidentally prolong a rough patch is by changing things up: “Changing the schedule, changing the way they address bedtime or wakeups, or trying new ‘things’ can often lead to a spiral, which makes sleep even worse.” Consistency is key.
Cradlewise Note: Cradlewise smart crib’s built in monitor can detect early wakeup signs and with gentle bounce can soothe your baby back to sleep.
For following safe sleep guidelines as your baby gets more active and mobile, see our safe sleep guide.
How can I tell if it’s a sleep regression or teething?
She adds: Babies and children get 12-16 baby teeth by age 2. If teething disrupted sleep so much, babies and toddlers would never sleep.
Cradlewise Note: If sleep has been rough for weeks, maybe it’s time to look at other reasons, such as a new skill, a routine change or illness.
Our guide on milk teeth schedule provides a teeth chart and tells you when teeth come in for your baby, when they start falling out.
How can I tell if it’s separation anxiety or a sleep regression?
That means the key to differentiating lies in daytime separation anxiety.
If your baby cries when you leave the room, Sleep Foundation suggests resisting the urge to pick them up right away. Rub their head or use a quiet, calming voice, then step away once they relax.
Is it sleep regression or teething or separation anxiety?
Sleep regression or Teething or Separation anxiety
| Feature | Sleep Regression | Teething | Separation anxiety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clue | A new skill or a change at home, with more night wakings and trouble settling | Drooling, chewing, and fussiness around the time a tooth is coming in | Clinginess or crying when you leave, such as when you step away from the crib |
| When | Bedtime, night and naps | Around the tooth eruption | Day and night |
| Usual length | Days to a few weeks | A day or two | Varies |
When to talk to your pediatrician
Sleep problems at 6 months do not usually need medical care, and you can always raise them at checkups. Check with your pediatrician sooner if you also notice:
- Slow weight gain or growth
- Less appetite or less feeding
- Fewer wet diapers or bowel movements
- Fever, lethargy, congestion or vomiting
Cradlewise Note: If you notice labored or unusual breathing, get immediate care.
Arielle also adds that ear infections can sometimes show up only as bad sleep. If your baby is suddenly really struggling, she says, it does not hurt to call the pediatrician sooner rather than later.
Can you sleep train during a sleep regression?
Yes.
Arielle adds: You can absolutely improve sleep when things aren’t going well, but if there is a gross motor development going on, it may not be perfect until your child completely masters that skill.
Cradlewise Note: Sleep training is a personal choice. Some families wait for a rough patch to pass, and others start during it. There are a few methods that range from gradual to faster ones, so ask your pediatrician which approach suits your baby’s health and development.
Our guide to toddler vs baby sleep training explains how approaches change with age.
Conclusion
Going back to waking up at odd times in the night after days or weeks of consistent sleep routine can hit hard. However, in most cases, it is a temporary rough patch tied to a new development skill or growth spurt, change in routines, an illness, or something new going on at home. 6-month sleep regression often passes within days to a few weeks.
Keep the routine steady, keep wake windows in range, and tell your pediatrician if sleep or feeding worries you.
FAQs
Q: Is the 6 month sleep regression the worst?
A: No, the 6-month sleep regression is usually not considered the worst. Many parents and sleep experts rank the 4-month sleep regression or later phases, like 8-10 months or 18 months as much harder.
Q: Can I let my 6-month-old cry it out during a sleep regression?
A: Yes, some families use cry-it-out methods at this age, after checking with the pediatrician.
Q: Why is my 6-month-old not sleeping through the night?
A: Many babies at 6 months start sleeping longer stretches, but they still have trouble sleeping through the night till the first year. Development, routines, feeding, discomfort and illness can all play a part. Babies who rely on feeding or rocking to fall asleep may need the same help when they wake at night.
Q: My 6-month-old won't sleep unless held. What can I do?
A: Try putting your baby in the crib while drowsy but awake, so they can practice drifting off there. If you hold your baby to sleep, avoid falling asleep with them on a couch or armchair. If you are worried about your baby’s sleep or feeding, ask your pediatrician.
Q: Should I let my baby sleep in my bed during a regression?
A: Try to avoid sleeping with your baby in the same bed. The AAP’s safe sleep guidance recommends a separate, firm and flat sleep surface. If you bring your baby into your bed to feed or cuddle, return them to their own sleep space before you fall asleep.
You may also like:
- Your ultimate guide to managing your baby’s 8-month sleep regression.
- Do you need a humidifier in your newborn’s room?
- When does an infant start walking? A month-by-month guide to baby steps.
Sources:
- Is there a 6-month sleep regression. Sleep Foundation. 2025. 6-Month Sleep Regression.
- 6-month old babies need about 12 to 16 hours of sleep in every 24 hours. CDC. 2024. About Sleep.
- Developmental leap. CDC. 2026. Important Milestones: Your Baby by Six Months.
- Growth spurts occur at 6 months. WIC Breastfeeding Support. Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts.
- Teething does not cause prolonged sleep disruption. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2025. Does Teething Disrupt Infant Sleep? A Longitudinal Auto-Videosomnography Study.
- Helping through 6-month sleep regression. Sleep Foundation. 2025. 6-Month Sleep Regression.
- Crawling baby will be up more at night. University of Haifa. 2013. If baby’s crawling, you’ll probably be up more at night, study reveals.
- Some babies start crawling earlier. Zerotothree. 2025. Steps Toward Crawling: A Look at the Many Ways Babies Get Moving.
- Separation Anxiety. Sleep Foundation. 2025. 6-Month Sleep Regression.
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