As a parent of a newborn, those first few months are filled with many sleepless nights. You’ve probably spent countless hours trying to soothe your little one to sleep or getting them back to sleep when they wake up crying in the middle of the night. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and makes you feel like a zombie.

But there is hope – sleep training can help your baby learn to fall asleep on their own and sleep longer stretches at night. As a tired parent myself, learning about the different sleep training methods was a total game changer.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about sleep training your baby so you can start getting some much-needed rest.

What is Sleep Training?

Sleep training is the process of helping your baby learn to fall asleep independently by providing varying levels of support from parents at bedtime. The goal is to teach your baby healthy sleep habits and self-soothing skills.

Some common techniques used in sleep training include:

• Fading – Gradually moving away from your baby over time. For example, rocking them less and less each night before putting them in the crib awake.
• Cry It Out – Letting your baby cry for short periods before responding. The intervals between checks increase as the nights go on.
• Pick Up/Put Down – Picking up your baby when they cry, calming them, and putting them back in the crib awake. Repeating as needed.

Sleep training can start as early as 4 months old but check with your pediatrician. The ideal time is between 4-6 months when babies are developmentally ready to learn new sleep skills.

The Benefits of Sleep Training Your Baby

Sleep training is tough, there’s no doubt about it. But the short-term struggle leads to hugely positive outcomes for your whole family:

Better, Longer Sleep for Baby

Sleep training teaches your baby to fall asleep independently. This helps them sleep longer stretches without waking for feedings or cuddles.

More Rest for Exhausted Parents

When the baby sleeps better, so do mom and dad! Parents of sleep-trained babies report getting 1-2 more hours of sleep a night.

Healthier Development for Baby

Good sleep ensures baby is well-rested to hit physical and cognitive developmental milestones.

Easier Bedtime Routine

A predictable, consistent bedtime routine makes the end of the day smoother with less crying and frustration.

Improved Behavior

Well-rested babies demonstrate less fussiness, crying, and tantrums during daytime hours.

As you can see, there are so many benefits to both the baby and the parents. If you’re hesitant about sleep training, keep the long-term rewards in mind.

Common Sleep Training Techniques

There are several different approaches parents can take to sleep, and train a baby. Here are some of the most popular methods:

Cry It Out

Also known as full extinction or Ferber method after the pediatrician who popularized it. You put your baby in the crib at bedtime awake and let them cry on their own in short intervals before responding.

The crying duration increases on progressive nights from 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes up to 20 minutes maximum. always respond right away for any safety needs.

While the intervals of crying increase, the overall amount of crying decreases quickly in this method. Within 3-4 nights, babies learn to self-soothe to sleep on their own.

Fading/Gradual Withdrawal

This method slowly removes parental involvement at bedtime over weeks. For example, rock babies less before putting them in the crib or shift from feeding to rocking to putting them down awake.

The level of support fades over time until the baby falls asleep independently. This very gradual method can take longer to work but involves less crying than crying it out.

Pick Up/Put Down

Just as the name implies, you pick the baby up as soon as they start to cry in the crib, calm them, and then put them back in the crib while still awake.

Repeat this cycle as many times as needed, always putting the baby down while awake. This provides comfort while still promoting self-soothing skills. Takes consistency but limits crying.

There are also “no cry” methods that avoid leaving a baby to cry alone. But these techniques take much longer to work. Discuss options with your pediatrician to pick the right approach for you and your baby.

Tips for Effective Sleep Training

To set your little one – and yourself – up for sleep training success:

• Be Consistent – Whatever method you choose, stick with it. Adjusting techniques back and forth confuses the baby.
• Allow Time – Most babies respond within 3-7 nights but allow at least 2 weeks before determining if a method isn’t working.
• Rule Out Medical Issues – Check with the pediatrician to make sure reflux or allergies aren’t disrupting sleep.
• Create a Calming Routine – Use the same soothing activities leading up to bed each night.
• Offer a Comfort Item – Give baby a snuggly lovey or pacifier to self-soothe.
• Follow an Age-Appropriate Schedule – Ensure baby is getting adequate daytime feeds/naps.

With a deliberate approach and some perseverance, your baby’s sleepless nights will soon be a thing of the past.

FAQs

What age can you start sleep training?

Experts recommend starting between 4-6 months when babies are developmentally ready to learn the skill of self-soothing. Discuss timing with your pediatrician.

How long does sleep training take?

For most babies, the process takes 3-7 nights. Stay consistent with the method and allow at least 2 weeks before assuming it’s failed.

What if the baby starts vomiting from crying?

Vomiting and extreme hysteria are signs to stop. Comfort baby, skip that night and consult your pediatrician before resuming.

Can sleep training harm my baby?

No research shows that responsive, age-appropriate sleep training harms babies. Lack of sleep is much more risky to development.

Conclusion: Sweet Dreams Ahead!

I know first-hand how exhausting round-the-clock wake-ups can be for parents. However, implementing a sleep training plan now will set your baby up for healthy sleep habits in the long run.

With the right techniques and commitment from mom and dad, the baby will become an independent sleeper in no time. When you all get the restful nights you need, it makes you better parents and helps the baby thrive.

So take that first step and review the various sleep training options with your pediatrician. Arm yourself with knowledge of each method, tips to be successful, and answers to your concerns.

Trust the process, stay consistent, and be proud of teaching such an important life skill. The short-term struggle will give way to restful nights ahead – for your whole family. Sweet dreams!