Sleep Training at 8 Months: What to Do When Your Baby Rolls or Sits Up in the Crib
Sleep Training at 8 Months: What to Do When Your Baby Rolls or Sits Up in the Crib
So, you’ve decided to begin sleep training your 8-month-old—congratulations! Making the decision is the first big step. At this age, your baby is mobile, curious, and possibly sitting or even pulling up in the crib. These new developmental milestones are exciting, but they can also throw a wrench into your carefully thought-out sleep plan. One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is:
“What do I do when my baby rolls over or sits up during sleep training?”
You are not alone in this. In fact, it's one of the most frequent questions I get, and I want to reassure you—this is normal and manageable. With a plan in place and realistic expectations, you’ll be able to guide your baby to independent sleep while supporting their newfound mobility.
Let’s break it down.
First, What Sleep Training Really Means
Before we talk about rolling or sitting, let’s be clear about what sleep training is. It’s not about ignoring your baby or letting them cry until they give up. Sleep training means teaching your baby how to fall asleep without needing to be rocked, nursed, or held. It’s giving them the chance to learn a skill they’ll use for a lifetime.
At 8 months old, most babies are developmentally ready to learn to fall asleep on their own and stay asleep longer stretches. This is also the time where separation anxiety might be kicking in, so the process should always be thoughtful and responsive.
Pre-Sleep Training Checklist
Here are a few steps to take before your first night:
✅ Set the Stage
Consistent bedtime: Choose a realistic and age-appropriate bedtime between 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Wake windows: At 8 months, your baby should be awake for about 2.5–3.5 hours between naps.
Nap schedule: Ideally two naps per day. Avoid overtiredness—it’s the #1 enemy of sleep success.
Feeding: Make sure your baby has full feedings during the day. You can reduce night feeds once daytime intake is solid.
Sleep environment: Use blackout curtains, white noise, a firm mattress, and a safe sleep space.
Safety First: What If Baby Rolls, Sits, or Stands?
At this age, babies are on the move. Rolling, sitting, even pulling to stand can happen during sleep training. Here’s how to handle it:
Rolling Over
Let them roll! If your baby rolls onto their tummy, that’s okay—as long as they are the ones initiating it and they can roll both directions. You don’t need to flip them back unless they’re very upset or stuck.
✅ Sleep Safety Tip: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, but if they roll over on their own, it's fine to leave them.
Sitting or Standing
This is where it gets tricky. Babies often sit or stand out of curiosity or frustration, not because they need anything. If your baby sits or stands but doesn’t know how to get back down, you have two options:
Wait a few minutes and see what they do.
Go in calmly, help them lie back down without talking, and leave the room.
Eventually, they’ll learn how to get back down on their own, but you may need to help a few times at the beginning.
Choosing Your Sleep Training Method
There’s no one-size-fits-all method. I always say: choose what feels sustainable for you, because consistency is the most important part.
Here are three methods I teach regularly to families in my sleep programs:
1. Check and Console (Modified Ferber Method)
After your bedtime routine, put your baby in the crib awake.
Leave the room and return at increasing intervals to check in (e.g., 3, 5, 10 minutes).
Keep the check-ins brief (30–60 seconds), soothing, and avoid picking them up.
Be consistent and calm. This method works well for parents who want to be present but also need structure.
2. Chair Method
Sit in a chair next to the crib and gradually move further away each night.
You can offer light verbal reassurance but avoid too much engagement.
This is a slower process, often taking up to 2 weeks, but can be comforting to anxious parents.
3. Extinction or "Full Cry It Out" (Not for everyone)
This method involves putting your baby to bed and not returning unless it’s a feeding time or safety issue.
It works quickly for some babies but is emotionally challenging for many parents.
➡️ My Recommendation for 8-Month-Olds: Start with the Check and Console method. At this age, babies are responsive to short, consistent check-ins and can learn the sleep association quickly when given space.
Night Wakings: What’s Normal?
By 8 months, many babies can sleep 10–12 hours without feeding, but that depends on weight, feeding patterns, and whether night feeds have been weaned yet.
You can choose to:
Keep one feeding until 9–10 months if your baby still seems hungry at night.
Begin to consolidate feeds: Offer shorter feeds at night while making sure daytime calories are increasing.
🍼 Parent Tip: Move ounces and calories to the day slowly—don’t drop a feed cold turkey.
Sample Sleep Training Schedule for an 8-Month-Old
Time
7:00 AM Wake up & feed
9:30 AM Nap 1 (1–1.5 hours)
11:00 AM Wake & play
1:30 PM Nap 2 (1–1.5 hours)
3:00 PM Wake & feed
6:30 PM Bedtime routine
7:00 PM In crib awake, start sleep training
When It Gets Hard
There will be nights where your baby cries harder, takes longer to settle, or wakes up more frequently. This is normal, and it doesn’t mean the method isn’t working.
Here’s what helps:
Stick to your plan for 3–5 nights before evaluating.
Keep your emotions regulated—your baby feeds off your calm energy.
Take breaks—rotate with a partner if possible.
⏳The 3-Night Rule: Most babies begin to adjust within 3–5 nights. By night 7, you should see noticeable improvement in settling and fewer wakings.
What If It’s Not Working?
If your baby is crying for over an hour every night with no progress after 5–7 days:
Re-evaluate your method: Is it too stimulating? Too inconsistent?
Look at your daytime schedule—are naps too short? Too late?
Consider a temporary regression or growth spurt.
Sometimes a tweak to naps, feeding, or bedtime can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts: You’re Teaching a Skill, Not Withholding Love
I always remind my clients: sleep training is not about ignoring your baby—it’s about giving them the opportunity to build self-regulation and independent sleep habits. You’re not leaving them alone; you’re giving them the tools to do something new, while always being their safe, consistent support system.
Be kind to yourself during this process. It’s emotional. It’s hard. But it’s temporary.
And the outcome? Better sleep for everyone—and a more rested, confident baby who can soothe themselves and feel safe in their space.
FAQ: Sleep Training an 8-Month-Old
Q: What if my baby cries until they vomit?
A: Some babies do this when very upset. Go in calmly, clean them up, and restart the process with minimal stimulation. The goal is to be responsive without reinforcing the crying with lots of attention.
Q: Can I sleep train during teething?
A: Yes—unless baby is in severe pain or feverish. Mild teething discomfort does not usually interfere with sleep training.
Q: Should I drop night feeds completely?
A: Only if your pediatrician has cleared it. Some babies still need one night feeding at this age, especially if they’re not eating solids well.
Q: What if baby rolls or stands and gets stuck every night?
A: Help them back down silently. Avoid engaging too much. Over time, they’ll learn to lie back down.
If you’re feeling unsure or stuck, consider working with a certified pediatric sleep consultant. You don’t have to do this alone—we offer personalized support for you and your little one, every step of the way.
Let’s make sleep something your whole family can count on.
— Summer
