6-Month Sleep Regression: Signs, Causes, and Sleep Tips

If your 6-month-old baby was settling well into a regular sleep routine, but they’ve suddenly started waking more during the night, resisting naps, or showing fussiness at bedtime, you might be facing a 6-month sleep regression. This is a common but temporary phase in infant sleep development. While not all babies experience it, this regression is often linked to developmental milestones (like rolling or sitting), teething, or changes in sleep patterns and routines.

Most sleep regressions last a few weeks. With supportive routines and patience, your baby’s sleep will likely improve. In the sections below, we’ll guide you through how to manage the 6-month sleep regression and support better rest for both baby and you.

Is There a 6-Month Sleep Regression?

If your 6-month-old is waking multiple times in the night, you may wonder if sleep regression at 6 months old is common or if your baby’s disrupted sleep is due to something else. While the term isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, many pediatricians and child development experts recognize this phase as a time when sleep challenges can resurface—especially after a period of improvement.

Around six months, many babies begin sleeping for longer stretches at night and may start showing readiness for independent sleep, like falling asleep without needing to be rocked or fed. This development often makes night wakings during a sleep regression more noticeable and frustrating, as it can feel like a step backward from recently gained progress.

So, while not all babies go through a defined sleep regression at 6 months old, many do experience changes in sleep patterns, especially if they were previously sleeping longer or more independently.

Do All Babies Go Through a 6-Month Sleep Regression?

No, not all babies have a sleep regression at six months. Some babies continue, or begin, sleeping well around this time, while others have brief periods of disrupted sleep. Every baby is different. Factors like temperament, growth, environment, and prior sleep habits all play a role.

Struggling with your baby’s sleep? Take our quiz for personalized tips to help your little one (and the whole family) sleep better.

What Causes 6-Month Sleep Regression?

The 6-month sleep regression is often triggered by a combination of physical, cognitive, and emotional developments. Here’s what might be behind the changes:

• New developmental milestones. Babies around six months often begin rolling, sitting up, or pushing up on their hands. Practicing these new skills can disrupt sleep routines.

• Increased awareness. Your baby is becoming more aware of their surroundings and may have trouble settling.

• Teething. Emerging teeth can cause discomfort that interrupts sleep. While not every baby starts teething at six months, it's a common age to begin.

• Growth spurts. These can lead to more frequent waking for feeds.

• Sleep environment or routine changes. Even small shifts, like a vacation or starting solids, can affect your baby’s sleep.

• Separation anxiety. Around this age, some babies start to experience separation anxiety when you’re away from them. This is because many start to develop object permanence during this period (when they realize you exist even when you’re not there), and this can cause them to be unsettled when you leave the room, etc.

• Sleep-onset associations. All babies, as well as older children and adults, wake up briefly throughout the night. If they have developed independent sleep skills, they may be able to fall back asleep with little to no help from you. However, if they are accustomed to being rocked or fed to sleep, they may struggle to return to sleep independently during nighttime awakenings.

6-Month Sleep Regression Signs

How can you tell if it’s a 6-month-old sleep regression or something else? Here are common signs: 

• More frequent night wakings, such as waking multiple times in the night or even waking every hour, especially if your baby was previously sleeping for longer periods 

• Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime

• Increased fretfulness during nighttime wakings, especially if they were previously learning independent sleep skills to fall back asleep with little to no help from you

• Your 6-month-old won’t nap, or they nap for only short periods

• Increased fussiness, clinginess, or signs of separation anxiety.

It’s important to note that nighttime wakefulness may be due to a dirty diaper, hunger, or illness rather than a sleep regression. Understanding what sleep regression looks like can help identify and address these disruptions effectively.

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6-Month Sleep Regression or Teething?

Your baby may be experiencing both teething and sleep regression simultaneously. If you're wondering, “Does teething cause sleep regression?” the answer is that the discomfort from teething can disrupt your little one's sleep. This disruption may also coincide with developmental milestones, growth spurts, or other factors that can affect sleep.

Signs of teething may include:

• Drooling

• Chewing on hands or toys

• Red or swollen gums.

If your baby is teething, offering a teether or gently massaging their gums might help ease the discomfort. Get more tips on how to soothe a teething baby in our helpful guide.

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4-Month Sleep Regression: Causes, Signs, & How to Get Through It

How Long Does a 6-Month Sleep Regression Last?

The good news is, sleep regressions are generally temporary. For most babies, sleep returns to normal within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the cause and how you respond. Using our helpful sleep tips below may help your baby get back on track and provide both of you with a better night's sleep.

If your baby’s sleep disruption lasts longer than six weeks or is accompanied by signs of illness, consult your baby’s healthcare provider.

Here are some practical tips you can start using tonight to help your baby sleep more peacefully.

6-Month Sleep Regression Tips

Wondering how to get your 6-month-old to sleep better or how to create a soothing infant sleep schedule or bedtime routine? Here are some helpful tips to help ease your baby (and you) through a sleep regression phase:

• Stick to a consistent bedtime routine. Predictability helps signal it’s time for sleep.

• Encourage independent sleep skills. Helping your baby learn to fall asleep independently can help them during nighttime wakings. Try putting your baby down while drowsy but awake, offer comfort but avoid picking them up right away every time they cry, and give them a few moments to settle themselves if they stir during the night.

• Keep sleep conditions optimal. A dark, cool, quiet room helps promote longer sleep.

• Avoid overtiredness. Too much wake time can lead to more night wakings, so keep your baby’s daytime naps if they need them

• Maintain calm nights and active days. Having peaceful nights and active days can help your baby learn the difference between night and day. Peaceful nights could include dimming the lights, reducing stimulation, and using a quiet voice. During the day, you could take your baby outside for some sunlight and engage in play.

Remember to follow safe sleep guidelines when putting your baby to bed. These include always putting your baby to sleep on their back in their crib and keeping the sleep area free from soft bedding, blankets, toys, and pillows.

Wondering what’s behind those sleepless nights? Our Better Sleep Quiz uses expert insights to pinpoint what your baby needs and how you can help.

When to Consult a Healthcare Provider?

Reach out to your baby’s provider if:

• Your baby has prolonged sleep issues 

• They are extremely fussy or excessively crying, and no soothing methods are working

• There are signs of illness (fever, ear pulling, persistent crying)

• Your baby isn’t gaining weight or feeding well.

If you have any concerns or you’re unsure about your baby’s frequent nighttime wakings, contact your baby’s healthcare provider for support. 

Your provider can help rule out medical issues like ear infections or reflux that might be affecting sleep.

The Bottom Line

The 6-month sleep regression can be exhausting for you and your family, but it’s a normal part of your baby’s development and will likely pass after a few days or weeks. Remember, a baby’s sleep isn’t linear—It can progress, regress, and change due to growth, development, or even illness. These shifts are normal and don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. By recognizing the signs, staying consistent with routines, and supporting your baby’s changing needs, you can make these phases more manageable. 

Most of all, remember you’re doing great, and better sleep is likely just around the corner.

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