An 8-month-old typically needs about 13 to 14 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period, split between nighttime sleep and daytime naps. Most babies this age get their longest stretch at night, usually 10 to 11 hours (with possible wake-ups), plus 2.5 to 3.5 hours of daytime sleep spread across two naps.
Nighttime Sleep at 8 Months
By 8 months, most babies have shifted the bulk of their sleep to nighttime. A typical stretch runs 10 to 12 hours, though that doesn’t always mean uninterrupted sleep. Many babies still wake once or twice overnight, especially breastfed infants who may still need a feeding. Formula-fed babies over 6 months are unlikely to wake from hunger, since formula digests more slowly than breast milk.
If your baby is breastfed and still nursing at night, that’s normal. Night weaning breastfed babies before 12 months can reduce your milk supply, so most experts suggest waiting until after the first birthday to phase out overnight feeds unless your pediatrician recommends otherwise. For formula-fed babies, you can begin reducing night bottles from 6 months onward if your baby is growing well and eating solids during the day.
What Naps Should Look Like
Most 8-month-olds have settled into a two-nap schedule. If your baby was still taking three shorter naps a month or two ago, they’ve likely dropped that third nap by now or are in the process of doing so. Aim for 2.5 to 3.5 hours of total daytime sleep divided between those two naps, and try not to let any single nap run longer than 2 hours. A nap that goes too long can push bedtime later or make it harder for your baby to fall asleep at night.
The first nap usually falls about 2 to 3 hours after your baby wakes for the day, and the second nap lands in the early afternoon. Individual timing varies, but keeping naps relatively consistent from day to day helps your baby’s internal clock stay on track. If one nap is short (30 to 45 minutes), the next wake window before the following nap or bedtime may need to be slightly shorter to prevent overtiredness.
The 8-Month Sleep Regression
If your baby was sleeping well and suddenly isn’t, you’re likely dealing with a sleep regression. Around 8 months, several developmental changes collide at once. Many babies are learning to crawl, pull up to standing, or sit independently. These new physical skills create restlessness at night. Your baby’s brain is essentially practicing these movements even during sleep, which can cause wake-ups or difficulty settling down.
Teething often compounds the problem. Many babies are cutting their first teeth around this age, and the discomfort can make falling asleep harder. Separation anxiety also tends to emerge or intensify around 8 to 9 months. Your baby now understands that you exist when you leave the room, but doesn’t yet understand that you’ll come back. This can lead to more crying at bedtime or during night wake-ups.
Sleep regressions typically last 2 to 6 weeks. The most helpful thing you can do is stay consistent with your bedtime routine. Changing your approach every few days in response to the regression can create new sleep habits that are harder to undo once the regression passes. Give your baby plenty of floor time during the day to practice crawling and pulling up so they’re less driven to practice those skills at 2 a.m.
Signs Your Baby Needs More or Less Sleep
Not every 8-month-old fits neatly into the 13-to-14-hour range. Some babies genuinely need closer to 12 hours, while others do best with a bit more. The numbers are a guide, not a rule. What matters more is how your baby behaves during waking hours.
A baby who is getting enough sleep wakes up relatively content, stays engaged during playtime, and doesn’t melt down at every small frustration. A baby who is under-slept tends to be fussy throughout the day, rubs their eyes frequently, or falls asleep in the car or stroller almost instantly. On the flip side, if your baby consistently fights bedtime, takes a long time to fall asleep, or has very early morning wake-ups, they may be getting too much daytime sleep. Trimming naps by 15 to 30 minutes can sometimes resolve these issues.
Creating a Safe Sleep Environment
At 8 months, the same safe sleep guidelines still apply. Place your baby on their back for every sleep, whether it’s a nap or nighttime. Use a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib with only a fitted sheet. Keep blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals out of the crib. If your baby rolls onto their stomach during the night (which most 8-month-olds can do), you don’t need to reposition them as long as they were placed on their back initially and can roll both ways on their own.
Watch for overheating, too. If your baby is sweating or their chest feels hot to the touch, they’re dressed too warmly. A sleep sack is a safe alternative to blankets for keeping your baby warm without loose fabric in the crib. Room temperature between 68 and 72°F (20 to 22°C) works well for most babies.
Putting It All Together
A realistic day for an 8-month-old often looks something like this: wake around 6:30 to 7:00 a.m., first nap around 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. for about an hour, second nap around 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for one to two hours, and bedtime between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. That’s a rough framework. Your baby’s ideal schedule depends on their natural wake time, how long their naps run, and how much total sleep they need.
The wake windows between sleep periods matter as much as the sleep itself. Most 8-month-olds can handle about 2.5 to 3.5 hours of awake time between naps, with the longest stretch falling before bedtime. If you notice your baby is hard to settle or fighting sleep, try adjusting wake windows by 15 minutes in either direction before making bigger changes. Small tweaks often solve what feels like a major problem.