At 7 months, there is a lot happening in your baby’s life: they are becoming more mobile so sitting still is now a foreign concept. They are also beginning to practice making sounds, likely babbling a lot.
The motor and cognitive development of a 7-month old baby has an effect on sleep, noticeable through what is called the 7-month sleep regression. Your little one may start to sleep more restlessly, their sleep stretches may become shorter than usual, and they may be fussier overall.
In this article we explain what causes the 7-month sleep regression, how it shows up, and share tips on how to give your baby comfort and security during this turbulent time to help them settle down more easily.
Around the 7-month sleep regression, your baby can probably already roll from tummy to back and may even be able to sit up without any assistance. Their first teeth are usually starting to grow in around this time as well, which may cause some pain.
At 7 months, your baby is becoming more active, independent, and mobile with each passing day. This allows them to explore their environment in new ways and see things from a new perspective.
All these new observations need to be processed, requiring your baby’s brain to work in overdrive during the day. This, unfortunately, can result in them possibly feeling like sleep is a waste of time thus reducing the amount of hours they want to sleep for.
During the first 12 months of life, sleep cycles are typically quite short and very few sleep through the night. At this age, babies usually sleep between 12 and 16 hours per day and usually need at least two naps during the day.
Even if your little one has formed a consistent sleep pattern, that pattern may temporarily be disrupted during the 7-month sleep regression. Sleep periods may shorten (including daytime naps) and they may wake up more frequently during the night.
The 7-month sleep regression temporarily upends established sleep habits. However, most babies return to regular sleep patterns once this developmental phase passes.
During this time, having a consistent and familiar bedtime routine can be extremely beneficial to help your baby find stability amid these changes. The following rituals and soothing activities can make the transition from playtime to rest easier:
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Reading a story
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Singing lullabies or playing white noise
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Gentle massages
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A warm bath
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Daytime naps in a calm and cozy setting (e.g. a cradle or baby hammock)
Many parents find that using sleep aids – like pacifiers or soft toys – help their baby fall asleep more easily during sleep regressions. Keeping these comfort items nearby during sleep can also make it easier for babies to soothe themselves when they wake up between cycles.
Even though your baby now needs less total sleep, they should still have at least 2 naps during the day at 7 months. During the 7-month sleep regression, these naps might become shorter as your baby may sleep less or experience restless sleep.
Changes to daytime sleep habits aren’t necessarily cause for concern. After particularly stimulating or eventful days, your baby may (counterintuitively) struggle to nap or only take short naps.
On days when daytime sleep is insufficient, it can help to move bedtime up to an earlier time to prevent your baby from becoming overtired, which can actually make it more difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, an earlier bedtime may allow them to sleep longer hours during the night.
During the 7-month sleep regression, your baby can easily become overwhelmed by all of the new stimuli and experiences that come with this new developmental milestone. This overwhelm can lead to restless sleep, as their brain needs time to process everything they’ve learned and seen.
In addition, babies around 7 months often begin to experience separation anxiety. For them, sleeping can mean that mom or dad is “gone,” which can cause crying or restlessness when you move away from the crib during bedtime.
Around seven months, babies also enter the stranger anxiety phase – new situations and/or unfamiliar people can be both fascinating and unsettling. That is why your baby may especially crave your closeness and plenty of time to feel safe and adjust to new people or environments.
