How and When to Sleep Train Your Baby
- Preggy Plus
- May 29
- 3 min read
Are you ready to give sleep training a try? No problem, we have you covered, but is it the right time? Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep independently, often by developing self-soothing skills and establishing consistent routines.
Doctors generally recommend beginning sleep training when your baby is somewhere between 4 and 6 months old. Why this age?
Developmental Readiness: Around 4 months, babies often begin to develop more regular sleep patterns, and their digestive systems are more mature, meaning fewer middle of the night feedings.
Self-Soothing Skills: While they won't master it overnight, this is when they start to have the capacity to learn how to self-soothe. Important Note: Before beginning, always check with your child's pediatrician to ensure your baby is healthy, gaining weight appropriately, and there are no underlying medical reasons for frequent night wakings.
How to Approach Sleep Training
The "how" of sleep training often feels like the most complicated part, but it doesn't have to be. The key is to choose one of the various available methods that is a good fit for you and your family and stay consistent with it.
Establishing a consistent bedtime is the foundation of successful sleep, regardless of the method you choose. A predictable nighttime routine signals to your baby that it's time to wind down.
Here are a few popular approaches you can try:
The "Cry It Out" Method: This involves putting your baby down awake and allowing him/her to cry until they fall asleep, without intervention. It can be tough to listen to, but some parents find it to be the quickest method for results.
The Ferber Method: Also known as "check and console," involves letting your baby cry for increasingly longer intervals before briefly checking in (without picking him/her up). This allows you to offer reassurance while still giving your child space to learn.
The Chair Method: This gentler approach involves sitting by your baby's crib and gradually moving your chair further away each night until you are out of the room. It offers a slower transition and more direct comfort initially.
"Pick Up/Put Down" Method (No Tears Approach): For younger babies or parents who prefer a very gentle method, this involves picking up your baby when he/she cries then putting your baby back to bed as soon as he/she calms down, repeating as needed. This requires a lot of patience.
General Tips for Success:
Consistency is Key: Whatever method you choose, stick with it. Inconsistent responses will only confuse your baby.
Put down your baby when he/she is sleepy but still awake. This gives the opportunity to learn to fall asleep independently.
Ensure a good sleep environment by keeping the room dark, quiet and at a cool temperature. You can also consider a white noise machine to block our household sounds.
Be prepared for setbacks. Teething or illness can temporarily derail sleep. Don't get discourages, just get back on track when things settle down.
Celebrate small wins. Every night your little one falls asleep a little faster or wake up less frequently is a victory.
Prioritize daytime naps. Well-rested babies often sleep better at night. Sleep training can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding process. It's about empowering your baby with the skill of independent sleep, which benefits everyone in the family. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution, and what works for one family might not work for another.
Be patient, be kind to yourself, and trust your instincts. You know your baby best. Soon, those sweet dreams won't just be a wish – they'll be a reality.
❓What are your best sleep training tips? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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