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Expert Reviewed By - Are you a new parent struggling with sleepless nights and a fussy baby? The 7 month sleep regression can be a challenging time for both you and your little one.
But fear not, with our expert tips and tricks, you can navigate this phase with ease and get back to a restful night’s sleep. Keep reading to discover how you can conquer the 7 month sleep regression and enjoy peaceful nights once again.
What Is The 7 Month Sleep Regression?
The 7 month sleep regression is defined as a period of time in which your baby’s sleep pattern becomes disrupted by them fighting sleep, waking more often and struggling to fall back to sleep. They may also be more clingy than normal between 6 and 8 months of age.
How Long Does The 7 Month Sleep Regression Last?
The 7 month sleep regression, like all sleep regressions, commonly lasts between 2 and 6 weeks depending on the trigger.
What Causes A 7 Month Sleep Regression?
There are many causes of the 7-month regression. Often it is a combination of triggers, but these are the most common ones you need to be aware of:
- Your baby is having a growth spurt. All that extra energy needed to grow can easily disrupt a well-established sleep pattern.
- They are reaching big physical, mental and emotional developmental milestones. And all that extra brain and body activity can disrupt their healthy sleep habits!
- You have changed baby’s sleep environment. Moving house, going on holiday or visiting family overnight can all trigger a 7 month sleep regression.
- Baby’s daily routine has changed. Any major changes in routine could also upset an established sleep schedule such as starting daycare, parents returning to work or their primary caregiver changing. This can throw baby’s circadian rhythm out of sync too.
- Your baby is experiencing separation anxiety. Separation anxiety will make it difficult for your baby to go to sleep at night and it can cause them to become distressed when they wake up and discover you’re not with them.
- They’re teething or unwell. If your baby is experiencing pain due to teething their sleep is very likely to be disrupted for a short while and although this is not a true sleep regression in itself, it may trigger one. Investing in a natural teething toy can help soothe your baby resulting in helping them sleep better. And like teething, illness may cause a sleep disruption for a short period of time and although this is not a true sleep regression, it can trigger a brief one.
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7 Month Sleep Regression Signs
For some babies a 7 month sleep regression is obvious, but for others, there are some subtle signs that indicate your little one is entering a regression.
Signs to look out for include:
- Baby has difficulty falling asleep. If your baby has been falling asleep nicely and then starts to regress to resisting sleep and struggling to settle then it is very likely they have hit a sleep regression.
- Your baby is crying more and becoming agitated when they wake. Because a sleep regression results in less deep and refreshing sleep, your little one may wake up in a grumpy mood and be rather fussy and unsettled.
- They wake more often at night and struggle to get back to sleep. As with finding it more difficult to fall asleep, it is typical during the 7 month sleep regression due to the change in their sleep pattern for your baby to wake more often at night. This may also affect how many hours of sleep your baby gets during the day too.
- Your baby is learning new skills. If your baby is learning to sit up, rolling over both ways, starting to crawl or even pulling to stand… They will be stimulating their brain and body to the point that they find it difficult to unwind at naptime and bedtime. You may even find that they are rolling over in their sleep and this wakes them up.
- Your baby is more alert and interested in their surroundings. As with learning a new skill, developing an interest in their surroundings means your little one’s brain is being very stimulated during awake times and they may struggle to wind down for sleep.
- Your baby fights sleep despite being tired. During a sleep regression, it is easy for your little one to become overtired and this can result in them fighting sleep. In addition, when learning new skills the extra stimulation can make it difficult for them to turn off and wind down in order to sleep.
- They are more clingy. By 7 months of age, your baby will definitely be more aware of their surroundings and more attached to those that care for them. This can result in them being more clingy and not liking being left alone especially when it is time for night sleep.
Tips To Manage The 7 Month Sleep Regression
Navigating a sleep regression is no easy task, but fortunately, there are some tried and tested tips to help you get through the 7 month sleep regression as quickly and easily as possible:
- Establish a healthy bedtime routine. Ensuring your baby gets consistent cues in preparation for sleep will go a long way in helping your little one fall asleep during the 7 month sleep regression and a regular bedtime routine will do just that.
- Stick to your routines. I cannot stress how much maintaining baby’s healthy daily and bedtime routines will help to keep you sane and keep their healthy development on track. I know life gets in the way sometimes, but being super vigilant about nap times, meal times and bedtimes during a sleep regression will make your life so much easier during this time. So, if you have to cancel a few plans over the coming weeks to ensure you’re at home for naps and bedtime, it will be worth it in the long run.
- Watch for hunger being a nighttime waking trigger. It is very tempting to feed your baby in order to get them back to sleep… however, this is not a habit you want to continue. Therefore, if your baby is experiencing a growth spurt your baby may naturally become more hungry. Try introducing a dream feed before you go to bed to prevent extra nighttime waking and increase the length of time you breastfeed by a couple of minutes or increase bottle feeds by ½ ounce. Ensure they are getting enough solid food during the day to support any growth spurt too.
- Keep nighttime interactions low-key. If your little one wakes at night then it’s super important to keep your interactions low-key. Have the lights down low and do not chat to them. A night light is a great investment for these nighttime interactions as it stops you from having to turn on a light when visiting them at night.
Finding the right night light for your child can be quite a task. You want something safe, comforting, and practical. The Cozy Starry Night Light ticks these boxes, with eye-friendly warm lighting and an easy-to-use dimmer.
Its gentle glow makes it the best night light for feeding baby, diaper changes, or comforting your little one back to sleep.
As your baby grows the Cozy Starry Night Light's starry sky projection can provide comfort and gentle quiet time stimulation. Its soft lighting ensures a dreamy, peaceful environment, supporting your baby’s natural sleep cycle.
It really is a fantastic nightlight (at a very reasonable price!)
- Eye-friendly warm lighting with adjustable brightness.
- Includes a timer function for convenience.
- Projects a starry sky that is soothing for little ones.
- Rechargeable battery, so it's very portable.
- A USB adapter is not included for charging.
- The star projector is static without motion (however, this is ideal for very young babies and toddlers).
- Battery life varies based on the brightness settings.
- Try not to pick up your baby every time they wake. It is very easy to fall into bad habits during the 7 month sleep regression so if your little one is waking more at night, try leaving them to fuss for a short time when they wake as it can result in them falling back to sleep without you having to go to them. If however, they start to become distressed, you should go to them.
- Learn your baby’s sleep cues and act on them. During a sleep regression your baby may need more daytime sleep to make up for broken nights so keep a keen eye on their sleep cues and act on them. Increased physical activity and ability can make your little one more tired than usual for a while. As they adjust to their new skills you will need to keep a close eye on sleep cues to avoid them becoming overtired.
- Make up for poor nighttime sleep with extra naps during the day. Let your baby sleep whenever they need to during the day to avoid them becoming overtired. Your 7 month old needs 2-3 hours of sleep over 2-3 naps in a 24-hour period. Never try and keep your little one awake during the day in the hope they will sleep better at night.
- Make baby’s sleep space more conducive to sleep. Now your baby is older they will be more easily woken by sleep distractions and noise. So, darken the bedroom using blackout blinds and use a nightlight as during a 7 month sleep regression your little one needs to be sleeping in a calm, dimly lit room. Using a white noise machine can eliminate background noise from disturbing your baby’s sleep too. They will help to ensure that sudden changes in noise will have less of an impact on your sleeping baby.
White noise machines are a game-changer for your little one's sleep and having one that plays all night is a must. With a long-lasting battery, this compact and stylish white noise machine contains 21 non-stop relaxing noises, which will lull your little one to sleep night after night, no matter where you are!
- Dress your baby in the correct sleep gear. Ensure your baby is dressed appropriately for the time of year. I find sleeping bags are the best for this age group.
Another great sleepwear range with sleeping bags to suit all ages and seasons. The easy to follow tog guide used in conjunction with the GroEgg room thermometer will give you peace of mind that you have chosen the perfect sleep attire for your little one.
- Provide relief for teething discomfort. If your little one is teething offer them comfort for the pain using teething toys and/or baby-safe medication.
- Encourage self-settling. Now is a good time to teach your baby to self-settle by putting them down to nap or at bedtime when they are drowsy and not fast asleep. Try to resettle your baby with a touch or your voice rather than picking them up, rocking or feeding them. Here’s a handy video to get you started.
- Keep calm and know that this will pass. The 7 month sleep regression can be very distressing and exhausting but remember it is temporary and will pass. The key is to hold onto as much of a routine as you can and adapt to your baby’s temporary sleep disruption. And don’t be afraid to ask for help and share the load of broken nights and dealing with a grumpy baby in the day.
NOTE: The 3 – 2 nap transition often occurs around 7 months too which can also play a role in your baby’s sleep routine changing. Ensuring your baby gets 11-12 hours of sleep during the night and making up the remaining 2-3 hours of sleep between their wake windows will help make sure baby does not become overtired.
Frequently Asked Questions About The 7 Month Sleep Regression
Looking for more information about the 7 Month sleep regression? Check out the most commonly asked questions here.
Do All Babies Experience A 7 Month Sleep Regression?
No, not all babies will experience a 7 month sleep regression. They may have already had one or they may have missed previous ones and are now experiencing a sleep regression for the first time due to any of the reasons listed above.
Is There A Growth Spurt At 7 Months?
Yes and no. Growth spurts can happen at any point during the first year of life… And as they are a very common trigger for sleep regressions be prepared for a growth spurt to be the cause of your little one’s disrupted sleep pattern.
Why Is My 7 Month Old Suddenly Not Sleeping?
If your 7 month old has been sleeping beautifully and suddenly starts waking at night and resisting sleep in general this usually means they have hit a sleep regression.
This can be due to a number of triggers including a growth spurt or achieving a developmental milestone.
While you should always rule out any illness that may be affecting your little one if all is well then you should deal with your little one’s nighttime waking as a sleep regression and follow the tips listed above.
7 Month Sleep Regression Or Teething?
Teething can trigger a sleep regression as the pain and discomfort caused by teething can upset your little one’s sleep and they can find it difficult to get back into a healthy sleeping pattern once the teething has passed.
It is important to know the signs of teething and how to handle this period carefully to minimise sleep disruption in the long run. Check out this post to learn more.
What Time Should A 7 Month Old Go To Bed?
Most 7 month old babies should have a regular bedtime of between 6-8pm. I usually aim for a 7pm bedtime but you can adjust bedtimes accordingly depending on your family routine and how much daytime sleep your little one is having.
How Do I Know If My 7 Month Old Is Overtired?
It is very easy for your baby to become overtired during a sleep regression. Signs your 7 month old is overtired are:
- They struggle to fall asleep and fight sleep
- They not staying asleep for long
- They are more clingy than usual
- They are easily frustrated and cranky
- They are prone to crying, fussing and are difficult to calm
- They fall asleep at mealtimes and show less interest in eating
- They become hyperactive due to their bodies producing cortisol and adrenaline to keep them awake.
When Do I Need To Talk To A Doctor About The 7 Month Old Sleep Regression?
If you are unsure if the change to your baby’s sleep patterns is due to a sleep regression… watch for the following signs. If they are present then you should seek medical advice or consult a doctor:
- Your baby is not gaining weight.
- Your baby is eating less.
- Your baby is having fewer than 4 wet diapers and 3 bowel movements a day.
NOTE: If the 7-month sleep regression is not resolved after 3 weeks, it can lead to serious sleep deprivation which can cause emotional and physical health concerns. So you should definitely reach out for advice at that point.
Can I Start Using Sleep Training Methods During A Sleep Regression?
If you’re already doing sleep training, maintaining your regular schedules, and consistent bedtime routines will go a long way to avoiding your hard work being forgotten.
However, if you haven’t started sleep training yet…
I would suggest focusing on baby’s bedtime routine, sleep associations and daytime sleep habits first before your start adding in a gentle sleep training method.
TOP TIP: Try to avoid returning to night feedings as you don’t want this habit to stick. Baby should be weaned off night feeds by now and you ideally want to keep it that way.
Can You Cry-It-Out During 4 Month Sleep Regression?
I personally do not recommend the Cry-It-Out Method, especially when going through a 7 month sleep regression. I believe you can effectively do sleep training using the Gradual Retreat and I’ll Be Back methods with great success.
So, if your little one starts to wake more frequently at night try to not rush to their side straight away, but rather wait a while to see they resettle themselves.
If that does not work and they become agitated… Respond and offer comfort by patting them on the head or tummy and using comforting words.
Need More Parenting Help?
- Download our FREE Perfect Sleep Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use and proven formula designed for parents of 0-5 year olds to master the art of consistently undisturbed and restful sleep without the yelling, nagging or exhausting long-winded evenings.
- Check out our Parenting Toolbox. You’ll get access to expertly-chosen products that you can guarantee are the best for your little one and your wallet.
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A bedtime & nap cheat sheet so good your little one will ask you to put them to bed...
Laura Williams "This is a life saver! I'm so glad I downloaded your bedtime & nap cheat sheet. My little one actually asked me to put him to bed last night! Unbelievable! Thank you so much!"
Click Here For The FREE Cheat Sheet
