When your baby reaches six months of age, you may find yourself facing a big challenge known as sleep regression. After noticeable improvements in their sleep around the fourth and fifth months, your baby may suddenly become difficult to put to sleep. This can lead to issues not only for your baby but also for you as a mother — your baby may become irritable, and you may experience constant fatigue and exhaustion.
According to certified pediatric sleep consultant Dr. Lamis Yehia, interviewed by Nadormagazine & Your Child, the sixth month is often marked by several changes that can affect a baby’s sleep. These include changes in feeding patterns, teething pains, and other factors that contribute to sleep difficulties.
Developmental Changes and Baby Sleep Difficulties
At six months, babies go through major developmental milestones related to motor and cognitive skills. As babies learn new movements, they often want to keep practicing them — even at the cost of sleep.
Expect your baby to wake up suddenly to sit up or try to crawl. They may also look for their favorite toy to put in their mouth and explore with their gums. The excitement of learning new things can make babies too stimulated to sleep.
Separation Anxiety and Sleep Disturbances
Around the sixth month, babies begin to experience separation anxiety. They realize the importance of having a familiar person nearby, often the mother or caregiver. This may cause constant crying, poor sleep, and frequent waking.
To help reduce separation anxiety, try to leave the room gradually and gently, always saying goodbye. You can also use games like peekaboo to help your baby understand that people can go away and come back — teaching them the concept of presence and absence.
This anxiety tends to increase between 6 and 9 months, especially if you move the baby to their own room. Consider finding a trusted person to stay with them when you leave.
Teething Pain and Sleep Troubles
Teething often begins around six months, and the discomfort is usually worse at night, just like many other types of pain. Gum swelling and tenderness can disrupt sleep. During the day, your baby may also struggle to nap, especially if they’re also adjusting to new foods.
To soothe teething pain:
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Rub a chilled vegetable slice like cucumber on the gums.
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Reduce pacifier use.
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Offer unsweetened herbal teas such as chamomile or anise to calm your baby naturally.
Overstimulation and Sleep Resistance
At this age, babies are exposed to too much stimulation — from parents, caregivers, and their surroundings. Everything becomes exciting and worth exploring, which can make it hard for them to sleep or even to feed properly.
A baby may stop nursing just to look around or play. Too many distractions during feeding or bedtime can throw off both their eating and sleep routines.
Expect your six-month-old to be more alert and curious. Daytime naps may decrease, but night sleep might become more consolidated once the environment is calm and dark.
Changing Sleep Needs and Irregular Patterns
Around this age, your baby’s sleep needs start shifting. They may stay awake for about 3 hours at a time and nap 2 to 3 times during the day. However, putting them to sleep too soon after feeding may lead to short, interrupted naps.
After six months, babies typically transition from three naps to two. It’s important to match nap times with their new wake windows to avoid overtiredness or fussiness.
Feeding Changes and Sleep Disruption
Introducing solid foods (complementary feeding) around this time can also affect sleep. Your baby’s nutritional needs increase, and breast milk alone may no longer be enough.
Your baby may:
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Not feel full if they reject new foods.
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Wake frequently at night from hunger if meals aren’t satisfying.
To help, find calorie-dense, filling foods that your baby enjoys and that keep them full for longer, which can support better sleep routines.
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