An 8-month-old typically needs about 12 to 15 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period, split between nighttime sleep and daytime naps. Most babies this age sleep 10 to 12 hours at night and get another 2.5 to 3.5 hours of sleep during the day across two naps.
Nighttime Sleep at 8 Months
By 8 months, most babies are capable of sleeping 10 to 12 hours overnight, though not all of them do so without waking. Some babies sleep through the night consistently at this age, while others still wake once or twice. Both patterns are normal.
One factor that affects nighttime sleep is feeding. Breastfed 8-month-olds may still need zero to three nighttime feeds, while formula-fed babies typically need zero to one. Most formula-fed babies are naturally weaning off night feeds by this point. For both breastfed and formula-fed babies, experts suggest that nighttime feedings can be phased out around 8 to 9 months, as long as the baby is getting enough calories during the day. If your baby still wakes to eat, adjusting daytime intake to include more calories can help reduce those overnight feeds over time.
How Naps Should Look
At 8 months, your baby should be taking two naps per day, totaling 2.5 to 3.5 hours of daytime sleep. A common pattern is a morning nap and an afternoon nap, each lasting roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. No single nap should go longer than 2 hours, since oversleeping during the day can cut into nighttime rest.
If your baby is still on three naps, you may notice signs that a transition is coming. Resisting the third nap, skipping naps entirely, or taking shorter naps than usual all suggest your baby is ready to drop down to two. Early morning waking or long stretches of wakefulness in the middle of the night on a three-nap schedule are another signal. If your baby is regularly getting less than 10 hours of nighttime sleep while still on three naps, switching to two naps often helps lengthen the overnight stretch.
Wake Windows Between Naps
Wake windows, the stretches of time your baby is awake between sleep periods, matter just as much as total sleep. At 8 months, most babies do well with wake windows of about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The first window of the day (from waking up to the morning nap) is usually the shortest, and the last window before bedtime is typically the longest.
Getting these windows right makes a real difference. Too short and your baby won’t be tired enough to fall asleep easily. Too long and they become overtired, which paradoxically makes falling asleep harder, not easier. If your baby is fighting naps or taking a long time to settle at bedtime, adjusting wake windows by 15 to 30 minutes in either direction is a good first experiment.
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, and sleep often takes a hit. Common signs include difficulty falling asleep, more frequent nighttime waking, fussiness around bedtime, and longer daytime naps paired with shorter nighttime sleep.
Several things drive this disruption:
- Separation anxiety. Around 8 months, babies develop a stronger emotional attachment and begin to understand that you still exist when you leave the room. This can make them protest being put down alone at bedtime or wake up crying when they realize you’re not there.
- New physical skills. Crawling, pulling to stand, and sitting up independently are all common milestones at this age. Babies often “practice” these skills in the crib, rolling around or pulling up when they should be sleeping.
- Teething. Many babies are cutting teeth around 8 months, and the discomfort can cause fussiness and nighttime waking.
- Greater awareness. Your baby is more tuned in to their environment now. Sounds, light, and stimulation that didn’t bother them a few months ago may make it harder to wind down.
The good news: sleep regressions are normally short-lived. Every baby is different, so there’s no exact timeline, but most families see things settle within a few weeks. Staying consistent with your routines during this phase helps your baby return to their normal sleep patterns faster.
Safe Sleep Setup
At 8 months, the same safe sleep guidelines still apply. Your baby should sleep on their back in their own sleep space, whether that’s a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Keep the sleep area free of loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and bumpers. Avoid letting your baby sleep on a couch, armchair, or in a car seat or swing (unless they’re actually riding in the car).
If your baby is rolling onto their stomach on their own at this age, you don’t need to keep flipping them back. As long as you place them on their back at the start of each sleep period, it’s fine for them to find their own comfortable position.
Putting It All Together
Here’s what a typical 24-hour sleep breakdown looks like for an 8-month-old:
- Nighttime sleep: 10 to 12 hours
- Daytime naps: 2.5 to 3.5 hours across 2 naps
- Total sleep: roughly 12 to 15 hours
- Wake windows: 2.5 to 3.5 hours between sleep periods
These numbers are guidelines, not rules. Some babies naturally need a bit more or less sleep, and day-to-day variation is completely normal. What matters most is that your baby is generally well-rested, alert and engaged during wake times, and gaining weight appropriately. If sleep is consistently far outside these ranges and your baby seems tired, irritable, or isn’t hitting milestones, that’s worth bringing up with your pediatrician.