Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest joys. But let’s be honest – it can also be extremely tiring, especially in the early months when your baby still wakes up frequently during the night. By around 5 months of age, most babies are developmentally ready to start learning the skill of sleeping through the night independently. Implementing a sleep training method can help your 5-month-old successfully achieve sleeping for prolonged periods without your help.

Sleep training, sometimes referred to as sleep teaching, is the process of helping your baby learn to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own. The goal is to have your child fall asleep independently at bedtime and go back to sleep on their own when they stir at night. While allowing your baby to cry it out for some time is part of some methods, the aim is not to let them endlessly cry themselves to exhaustion. Rather, sleep training aims to gradually teach the essential skill of self-soothing so they can drift off to sleep peacefully without parental assistance.

Sleep training can seem daunting at first, especially if you’re used to always being by your baby’s side as they fall asleep. But the long-term benefits of better sleep make it well worth the effort for both you and your child. After consistently implementing a sleep training plan, most babies become proficient self-soothers and drop night wakings dramatically. This means better sleep for the whole family!

When to Start Sleep Training Your 5 Month Old

The 5-month mark is a prime window for introducing sleep training. There are a few signs that indicate your baby is developmentally ready for the process of learning to self-soothe at bedtime and during night wakings:

• Dropping middle-of-the-night feeds: Around 5 months of age, babies begin dropping those 2-3 am feeds and can go longer stretches at night without eating. This shows their digestive system has matured enough to go 6-8 hours without food.
• No longer an infant: 5 months marks the end of the newborn stage. Babies this age are less apt to fall asleep accidentally after some fussing. Their sleep cycles have matured so they need active help from you to drift off.
• Developing more regular sleep/wake patterns: Whereas newborns tend to sleep and wake at random, by 5 months babies have begun regulating their circadian rhythms. This makes timing an appropriate bedtime and implementing a sleep training method more feasible.
• Increased mobility: Around 5 months, babies often learn to roll over or start sitting up. With this added movement and freedom comes disrupted sleep as they have an easier time getting into a seated position or rolling around the crib. Sleep training helps curb these night wakings.

The 4-6 month age range is the prime window for sleep training since babies this age have the key cognitive and physical developments that allow for success. Waiting until much later often means you’ll have an overtired baby who has ingrained sleep associations that are increasingly hard to break.

Common Sleep Training Methods for 5 Month Olds

There are a few scientifically-backed methods commonly used for sleep training 5-month-olds. The major methods include graduated extinction, fading, and pick up/put down. While the approach differs slightly, they all share the same end goal of teaching your baby to self-soothe to sleep.

Graduated Extinction (Ferber Method)

With this method, you put your baby down awake at bedtime and allow them to fuss or cry for increasing intervals before responding. The first night, you let them fuss for 3 minutes before briefly comforting them without picking them up. The next night, you wait 5 minutes before the first check-in, then 7 minutes, then 10, adding a couple minutes each subsequent night. The goal is to gradually teach them to fall asleep independently while reassuring them briefly that you’re still nearby.

Fading (Camping Out)

Fading, sometimes called camping out or adult fading, involves sitting with your baby as they falls asleep and gradually moving your chair farther away each night. For example, the first night you sit right next to the crib, gently shushing and patting them to sleep. Over 7-10 nights, you slowly move your chair farther from the crib until you’re out of the room completely. This gradual withdrawal of contact fades out any sleep associations.

Pick Up/Put Down

As the name suggests, this method involves picking your baby up when they are fussy and putting them back down awake when they are calm and drowsy. You don’t want to let them fall asleep in your arms. Each time you return them to the crib, you let them fuss a bit longer before responding again. This teaches them to settle independently.

While the extinction method is effective for many families, the pick-up/put-down and fading methods may work better for parents who want to provide more physical reassurance during the process. The most important thing is choosing a sleep training tactic you feel comfortable implementing consistently.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sleep Training a 5 Month Old

Once you’ve selected the ideal sleep training method for your family, follow these steps to set your baby up for success:

• Establish a relaxing pre-bedtime routine. A consistent, peaceful bedtime routine signals to your baby that sleep is coming. This might include a warm bath, getting into pajamas, reading a book, singing a lullaby, etc. Keep it to 3-4 calming activities in the same sequence each night.
• Put baby down awake but drowsy. After your bedtime routine, put your baby in the crib while they are drowsy but still awake. This is key – you want them to learn to drift off independently without you rocking or feeding them to sleep.
• Implement your chosen sleep training method. If doing graduated extinction, make your first check-in after 3 minutes if needed, then 5 minutes the next night, etc. For fading, start sitting right by the crib on night one and work your way out of the room over a week or so. With pick up/put down, pick them up when crying but put them back down before they fall asleep.
• Be consistent. Consistency is crucial for sleep training success. Once you start the training, stick with the plan every night for at least a week before determining whether you need to adjust the approach.
• Offer reassurance when checking in. When using methods like graduated extinction or fading that involve check-ins, briefly reassure your baby that you are present without stimulating them too much. A gentle pat or reassuring whisper is all you need – resist the urge to pick them up!

It may take 3-7 consistent nights before your baby learns the skill of falling asleep independently. Remain patient, committed, and consistent during this period. The short-term hassle of sleep training paves the way for better long-term sleep for your whole family!

Tips and Tricks for Successful Sleep Training

Here are some helpful tips to enhance your chances of sleep training success with your 5-month-old:

• Choose an appropriate wake window length: Time your bedtime correctly based on your baby’s last nap to ensure they are tired enough to fall asleep easily but not overtired and wired.
• Make the room dark, cool, and quiet: An excessively bright, noisy, or hot room can disrupt sleep training. Optimize the sleep environment.
• Use white noise: Soothing, constant white noise blocks disruptive house sounds to help the baby stay asleep.
• Avoid nursing or bottle right before bed: Feeding to sleep is a tough association to break. End feedings 30 minutes prior.
• Remain patient and consistent: Frequent night wakings may get worse before they get better as the baby protests. Stick with it for at least a full week.
• Develop a comforting bedtime object: Introduce a special stuffed animal or blanket for the baby to associate with sleep.
• Do daytime check-ins in the crib: Occasionally putting babies in the crib for naps gets them used to the space.
• Make sure baby gets enough daytime sleep: Overtired babies resist sleep training, so ensure they get quality daytime naps.

With persistence and consistency, you can set your baby up for sleep success during this pivotal developmental window of 4-6 months old. Have patience with the process and yourself!

FAQs:

Q: Won’t sleep training be traumatic for my baby?

A: Letting your baby cry for any period often feels wrong in the moment. But remember, you are working towards the ultimate goal of giving your child the gift of peaceful independent sleep for years to come. Sleep training is not traumatic when done responsibly, and your baby will not hold it against you.

Q: What if my baby cries for hours?

A: It is rare for babies to cry for extremely prolonged periods during sleep training. If your baby is unable to settle after an hour or so, take a break and try again in a few days. You may need to adjust your method or the timing.

Q: How do I know if my baby is ready for sleep training?

A: Signs like dropping night feeds, transitioning out of the newborn phase, and developing more of a sleep/wake schedule all indicate readiness around 5 months. If you’re unsure, ask your pediatrician.

Q: What about night feeds?

A: Once your baby has dropped those middle-of-the-night feeds, feel free to continue 1-2 dream feeds spaced at least 5 hours apart overnight to ensure they don’t get hungry.

Conclusion

Implementing sleep training at the right time with an age-appropriate method can help your 5-month-old successfully learn independent sleep skills. Look for signs your baby is ready, choose a sleep training tactic you feel comfortable with, stick to a consistent bedtime routine, and remain patient through the ups and downs. With commitment and consistency, both you and your baby will be resting peacefully in no time. The process may seem daunting but the benefits are immense. Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel – better sleep and more restful nights!