Six-month-olds may experience disruptions in the sleep cycles they established in their first months of life. These disrupted sleep patterns are known as sleep regressions. Sleep regressions can be characterized by night waking, daytime fussiness, resistance to napping, longer stretches of awake time, and more crying for night feedings. 

Sleep regressions are not a serious problem. Rather, they are developmental milestones of a growing baby. Infants also frequently experience four-month sleep regressions, eight-month sleep regressions, and [12-month sleep regressions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/12-month-sleep-regression). 

A six-month-old baby may experience a sleep regression for only a few days, or the period of inconsistent sleep may last for weeks. A true sleep regression typically involves at least three days of consistent behavioral changes. A single night of sleep problems is not a true sleep regression, though it may have similar root causes.

Changes in infant and toddler sleep are common, and they result from many different factors. Brain development and physical growth spurts are among the most common causes of six-month sleep regression, as changes in the infant brain and body lead to changes in sleep behavior. Teething can disrupt a child's sleep, though the pain associated with teething may not last long enough to lead to sleep regression. 

To cope with six-month sleep regression, use both reactive and preventative strategies.

1. __Build positive sleep associations__. As part of a bedtime routine, establish comforting rituals like a bedtime story, cuddles, swaddling, and familiar songs. This sets the child's mind at ease and mentally prepares them for sleep.
2. __Establish consistency__. Newborn babies thrive on routine, and a reliable way to develop a good sleeper is to put them to bed at the same time every day. This applies to both daytime sleep and nighttime sleep.
3. __Create an insulated sleep environment__. To ensure a good night's sleep, eliminate stimuli that might cause your infant to wake up unexpectedly. A white noise machine can block out sounds that would otherwise wake a dozing baby. Blackout curtains can keep sunlight from disturbing a daytime nap.
4. __Monitor for separation anxiety__. Your child instinctively craves your presence, so offer cuddles around naptime and, as a general rule, tend to your crying infant in the middle of the night.
5. __Seek medical advice as needed__. If you’re concerned by your baby’s sleep regression, consult with your baby's pediatrician for specialized advice.

Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of *Why We Sleep* and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.  
As a newborn baby progresses through their first year of life, their sleep schedule can vary wildly. Infants need more hours of sleep than adults, but their sleep routines may fluctuate. In particular, many babies undergo a sleep regression at six months of age, and steering them back toward consistent sleep habits can be challenging.


As a newborn baby progresses through their first year of life, their sleep schedule can vary wildly. Infants need more hours of sleep than adults, but their sleep routines may fluctuate. In particular, many babies undergo a sleep regression at six months of age, and steering them back toward consistent sleep habits can be challenging.


6-Month Sleep Regression: How Infant Sleep Patterns Change

Six-month-olds may experience disruptions in the sleep cycles they established in their first months of life. These disrupted sleep patterns are known as sleep regressions. Sleep regressions can be characterized by night waking, daytime fussiness, resistance to napping, longer stretches of awake time, and more crying for night feedings. Sleep regressions are not a serious problem. Rather, they are developmental milestones of a growing baby. Infants also frequently experience four-month sleep regressions, eight-month sleep regressions, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/12-month-sleep-regression' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/12-month-sleep-regression","linkCopy":"12-month sleep regressions","category":null}'>12-month sleep regressions</a>.

What Is 6-Month Sleep Regression?

A six-month-old baby may experience a sleep regression for only a few days, or the period of inconsistent sleep may last for weeks. A true sleep regression typically involves at least three days of consistent behavioral changes. A single night of sleep problems is not a true sleep regression, though it may have similar root causes.

How Long Does 6-Month Sleep Regression Last?

Changes in infant and toddler sleep are common, and they result from many different factors. Brain development and physical growth spurts are among the most common causes of six-month sleep regression, as changes in the infant brain and body lead to changes in sleep behavior. Teething can disrupt a child&#39;s sleep, though the pain associated with teething may not last long enough to lead to sleep regression.

What Causes 6-Month Sleep Regression?

To cope with six-month sleep regression, use both reactive and preventative strategies.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Build positive sleep associations. As part of a bedtime routine, establish comforting rituals like a bedtime story, cuddles, swaddling, and familiar songs. This sets the child&#39;s mind at ease and mentally prepares them for sleep. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Establish consistency. Newborn babies thrive on routine, and a reliable way to develop a good sleeper is to put them to bed at the same time every day. This applies to both daytime sleep and nighttime sleep. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Create an insulated sleep environment. To ensure a good night&#39;s sleep, eliminate stimuli that might cause your infant to wake up unexpectedly. A white noise machine can block out sounds that would otherwise wake a dozing baby. Blackout curtains can keep sunlight from disturbing a daytime nap. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Monitor for separation anxiety. Your child instinctively craves your presence, so offer cuddles around naptime and, as a general rule, tend to your crying infant in the middle of the night. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Seek medical advice as needed. If you’re concerned by your baby’s sleep regression, consult with your baby&#39;s pediatrician for specialized advice. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Dealing with 6-Month Sleep Regression

Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of Why We Sleep and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.

Want to Learn More About Catching Those Elusive Zs?

As a newborn baby progresses through their first year of life, their sleep schedule can vary wildly. Infants need more hours of sleep than adults, but their sleep routines may fluctuate. In particular, many babies undergo a sleep regression at six months of age, and steering them back toward consistent sleep habits can be challenging.