An 8 Month Old Sleep Schedule that works can feel like a dream for tired parents in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe. At eight months, most babies need around 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours — about 11 hours at night and 3 hours during the day. Many parents search for the perfect 8 8-month-old sleep schedule because this is the age when babies start crawling, pulling up, and sometimes going through the famous 8 Month sleep regression. The good news is that a few small changes can bring back peaceful nights and happier days. https://images.ctfassets.net/4h8s6y60f7sb/126BQqQUVrmvFDLLfnNdUw/bd58b7c17f59ad53a1c6349cea0e4513/Header_8_Months.png?w=1440&fm=avif&q=90 IMAGE.
Why Your 8-Month-Old Sleep Schedule Might Feel Messy Right Now
Around eight months, life gets exciting for babies. They learn new skills like crawling and standing. This excitement often messes with sleep. Many parents notice more night wakings, shorter naps, or babies who fight bedtime. This is normal and usually called the 8-month sleep regression. It happens because your baby’s brain is growing fast, and new things like teething or separation anxiety can keep them awake. The key is to keep a calm, steady 8-month-old sleep Schedule so your baby feels safe and knows what comes next1. Most babies at this age can stay awake for 2.5 to 3.5 hours between sleeps. These are called wake windows. If you wait too long, your baby gets overtired and sleeps worse. If you put them down too early, they may not be ready. Finding the right timing makes a huge difference in any 8 Month-month-old sleep schedule.
Sample 8-Month-Old Sleep Schedule with 2 Naps (Most Common)
Many eight-month-olds move from three naps to two naps around this time. Here is a gentle and popular 8-month-old sleep Schedule with two naps that works for thousands of families:
- 7:00 am – Wake up and milk/feed
- 7:30 am – Play and breakfast
- 10:00 am – First nap (about 1.5–2 hours)
- 12:00 pm – Wake, feed, play
- 3:00 pm – Second nap (about 1–1.5 hours)
- 4:30 pm – Wake, feed, play outside if possible
- 7:30 pm – Start calm bedtime routine
- 8:00 pm – Asleep for the night schedule gives around 11–12 hours at night and 3 hours of day sleep — perfect for most babies. Parents who use this 8 8-month-old sleep schedule often say their babies wake up happy and go to bed without big fights.
Sample 8-Month-Old Sleep Schedule with 3 Naps (Still Needed by Some Babies)
If your baby is not ready to drop the third nap yet, do not worry. Some eight-month-olds still need three shorter naps. Here is a good 8 8-month-old sleep Schedule with three naps2:
- 7:00 am – Wake and feed
- 9:30 am – First nap (45–60 minutes)
- 12:00 pm – Second nap (45–60 minutes)
- 3:00 pm – Third nap (30–45 minutes)
- 7:30–8:00 pm – Bedtime keeps wake windows short so your baby does not get overtired. Most babies drop the third nap between 8 and 10 months. https://images.agoramedia.com/wte3.0/gcms/8-month-old-sleep-schedule-722×406.jpg IMAGE
How to Make Bedtime Easy for Your 8-Month-Old
A calm bedtime routine is the secret to every successful 8-month-old sleep schedule. Start the same steps every night about 30 minutes before sleep time. Many parents do bath, massage, pajamas, milk, books, and cuddles. Keep the lights low and voices soft. Babies love knowing what happens next — it helps them relax and fall asleep faster3. https://www.takingcarababies.com/cdn/shop/articles/8-month-sleep-schedule.jpg?v=1759243186&width=1187 IMAGE..
Signs Your 8-Month-Old Is Ready to Drop to 2 Naps
Parents often ask how to know when to change the 8 8-month-old sleep schedule from three naps to two. Look for these signs:
- Your baby fights the third nap or takes a long time to fall asleep for it.
- Bedtime gets very late because the third nap runs long.
- Your baby wakes very early in the morning (before 6 am) and seems rested. When you see two or more of these signs for a week, try moving to two longer naps.
How to Survive the 8 Month Sleep Regression
The 8-month sleep regression can last 2–6 weeks. Keep offering the same 8 8-month-old sleep schedule every day. Do not start new habits like rocking all night — they are hard to stop later. Offer extra cuddles during the day so your baby feels safe. Most babies go back to normal sleep once the new skills feel easier.
FAQs About an 8 Month 8-Month-Old Sleep Schedule
How much sleep does an 8-month-old really need?
Honestly, most 8-month-olds do best with about 14 hours total in a day. That usually looks like 11–12 hours at night and another 2–3 hours of naps. Some babies are happy with a little less, some need a tiny bit more, but 14 hours is the sweet spot that keeps almost everyone smiley and not a total gremlin by 5 p.m. If you’re ever second-guessing, that’s totally normal—just aim for around that number and you’re golden.
When should my 8-month-old go to bed?
7:30–8:00 p.m. is magic for the huge majority of 8-month-olds. It sounds early when you say it out loud (I know!), but it lets them get those long, yummy night stretches and wake up at a human hour like 6:30–7:30 a.m. Push it much later, and they actually get overtired and start doing party tricks at 3 a.m. Pick a time, stick to it every single night—even weekends—and within a week or two you’ll feel like a new parent.
8-month-old fights naps — what should I do?
Oh girl, I feel this in my soul. The 8-month regression is brutal on naps. The trick that saved me: keep offering the nap at the same time every day anyway. Watch for the sleepy cues (eye rubs, staring into space, sudden crankiness) and scoop them up the second you see them—even if it’s 10–15 minutes early. Dark room, sound machine on, quick cuddle, and down they go. Some days it’s still a fight, but consistency is what eventually turns it around.
How long should wake windows be for an 8-month-old?
Right now, 2.5–3.5 hours is the sweet zone for most babies. I usually started at 3 hours and watched my little one—if he was melting down early, I’d shorten it a bit; if he was still bouncing off the walls, I’d stretch it a touch. The last wake window before bed can sometimes go closer to 3.5–4 hours without turning them into an overtired monster. You’ll figure out your baby’s perfect number in a few days of watching.
Is it okay to sleep on the train for 8 months?
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Eight months is actually one of the most popular ages parents start because babies are old enough to learn but young enough that habits aren’t totally cemented yet. Gentle methods like check-and-console, pick-up-put-down, or the chair method work beautifully. Just keep the schedule the same every day (same nap times, same bedtime), and most babies settle in 3–10 days. You’ve got this—and you deserve sleep too, mama.
Conclusion
Creating a peaceful 8 8-month-old sleep schedule is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your baby. Whether you choose two longer naps or three shorter ones, stay gentle and consistent. The 8-month sleep regression will pass, and soon your little one will sleep long stretches again. You are doing an amazing job — keep going! What part of your 8-8-month-old’s sleep schedule feels hardest right now — naps, bedtime, or night wakings? Share below, and let’s help each other!
References
- What to Expect: 8-month-old sleep schedule guide ↩︎
- Huckleberry Care: 8-month-old sleep schedule and development ↩︎
- Real parent experiences: Reddit sleeptrain 8-month thread ↩︎
