Sleep training is the process of teaching babies to fall asleep independently and sleep through the night. It’s often applied when a baby struggles with frequent night wakings, doesn’t sleep through the night, or during sleep regressions. Starting around 4-6 months, parents can use various methods to help their baby develop healthy sleep habits, focusing on consistency and the baby’s developmental needs.
There are various methods with different approaches to help your baby sleep through the night. The amount of crying involved in each method is often a significant concern for parents.
Below you’ll see a spectrum of sleep training methods, arranged from those involving the most crying to those with the least.
Is sleep training harmful?
Concerns have been raised about the long-term emotional impact of the CIO and Ferber methods, which can be distressing for both parents and babies. However, many studies suggest that there is no significant long-term harm if done correctly where the crying doesn’t last more than 3-4 nights. For a more in-depth analysis read Is sleep training, Ferber method or CIO, harmful? Read the science behind it.
Sleep training methods
| Method | Age Range | Nights to Results | Effective-ness | Parental Involvement | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cry It Out (CIO) | 4-6 months and older | 3-7 nights | High | Low | Fast results, clear boundaries | High level of stress for parents and baby |
| Ferber Method | 4-6 months and older | 4-10 nights | High | Medium | Structured approach, gradual process | Involves crying, which can be distressing |
| Chair Method | 6+ months | 7-14 nights | Moderate to High | High | Allows presence of parents, gradual separation | Requires patience and consistency |
| Pick Up / Put Down | 4-6 months and older | 10-21 nights | Moderate | High | Gentle approach, responds to baby’s needs | Can be time-consuming, may prolong wake-ups |
| No Tears Method | Newborn to any age | 14-30 nights | Moderate to Low | Very High | Minimal crying, focuses on bonding and comfort | Takes longer to see results, may need frequent adjustments |
Detailed explanation of each method
1. Cry It Out (CIO) / Extinction
The Cry It Out method, also known as Extinction, was popularized by Dr. Emmett Holt in the early 20th century. It involves putting your baby to bed and letting them cry until they fall asleep without any intervention from the parents. The idea is that the baby will learn to self-soothe and sleep independently without relying on external comfort.
How it is done: You place your baby in their crib, say goodnight, and leave the room. The baby is left to cry until they fall asleep. This method is usually implemented consistently over a few nights. Read the CIO method explained: step-by-step to implement this sleep training technique.
Age Range: 4-6 months and older.
Nights to Results: 3-7 nights
Effectiveness: High
Parental Involvement: Low
Pros: Fast results, clear boundaries
Cons: High level of stress for parents and baby
Books to learn more:
- Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Dr. Richard Ferber
- The Sleep Easy Solution by Jennifer Waldburger and Jill Spivack
2. Ferber Method / Graduated Extinction
The Ferber Method, developed by Dr. Richard Ferber, involves checking on your baby at increasing intervals of time to offer brief comfort without picking them up. This method allows the baby to gradually learn to fall asleep on their own while still receiving some reassurance from parents.
How it is done: After putting your baby to bed, leave the room and return at set intervals (e.g., 3 minutes, then 5 minutes, then 10 minutes) to briefly check on them without picking them up. Each night, the intervals between check-ins are increased. Read the Ferber method explained: step-by-step to implement this sleep training technique
Age Range: 4-6 months and older.
Nights to Results: 4-10 nights
Effectiveness: High
Parental Involvement: Medium
Pros: Structured approach, gradual process
Cons: Involves crying, which can be stressing
Books to learn more:
- Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Dr. Richard Ferber (This is the definitive guide on the Ferber Method)
3. Chair Method (Sleep Lady Shuffle)
What it is: The Chair Method, also known as the Sleep Lady Shuffle, was developed by Kim West, who is also known as “The Sleep Lady.” This method involves sitting next to your baby’s crib as they fall asleep, gradually moving further away each night until you are out of the room entirely. This approach offers a gradual transition for the baby to learn to sleep independently.
How it is done: Start by sitting in a chair next to the crib, offering comfort without picking up the baby. Each night, move the chair further away from the crib until you are no longer in the room. This process can take several weeks. Read the Chair method explained: step-by-step to implement this sleep training technique
Age Range: 6+ months
Nights to Results: 7-10 nights
Effectiveness: Moderate to High
Parental Involvement: High
Pros: Allows presence of parents, gradual separation
Cons: Requires patience and consistency
Books to learn more:
- The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight by Kim West
- The Sleep Lady’s Gentle Newborn Sleep Guide by Kim West
4. Pick Up / Put Down (PUPD)
What it is: The Pick Up / Put Down method was popularized by Tracy Hogg, known as “The Baby Whisperer.” This method involves picking up your baby to comfort them when they cry, then putting them back down to sleep. The approach aims to soothe the baby while still encouraging them to sleep independently.
How it is done: When the baby cries, pick them up to soothe them, then put them back down once they are calm but still awake. Repeat this process until the baby falls asleep.
Age Range: 4-6 months and older.
Nights to Results: 10-21 nights
Effectiveness: Moderate
Parental Involvement: High
Pros: Gentle approach, responds to baby’s needs
Cons: Can be time-consuming, may prolong wake-ups
Books to learn more:
- The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems by Tracy Hogg
- Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg
5. No Tears Method / Gentle Sleep Training
What it is: The No Tears Method, or Gentle Sleep Training, was developed by Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician and advocate of attachment parenting. This method focuses on creating a soothing bedtime routine and gradually encouraging the baby to sleep independently without letting them cry it out. The method emphasizes comfort, bonding, and a slow transition to independent sleep.
How it is done: Establish a consistent and calming bedtime routine, such as a bath, reading a book, or singing a lullaby. Gradually reduce your involvement in the baby’s sleep process, such as moving from rocking to just holding, then to placing the baby in the crib while still awake.
Age Range: Newborn to any age
Nights to Results: 14-30 nights
Effectiveness: Low
Parental Involvement: Very High
Pros: Minimal crying, focuses on bonding and comfort
Cons: Takes longer to see results if any, may need frequent adjustments
Books to learn more:
Our sleep training journey: from Ferber to the Chair method
When my baby turned 6 months old, I decided it was time to start sleep training. After researching various methods, I settled on the Ferber Method. The first night was, as expected, the hardest. She cried a lot, but thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as I had feared. Compared to stories I’ve heard from other parents, her crying was manageable. I think if she had cried for more than 30 minutes, I would have had a hard time sticking with it and might have abandoned the method altogether. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and by the second or third night, we saw significant improvement. She was able to settle herself to sleep during the night, which was a huge relief.
However, I quickly learned that sleep training isn’t a one-time fix. Whenever we traveled, or if she got sick, or even when there was a change in her routine, we had to start the process over again. Sleep regressions also meant we needed to revisit sleep training.
Now, at 21 months, my baby is going through another sleep regression. This time, I decided to try the Chair Method. Because she’s older and understands more, I feel this method suits her better. I’m hopeful that, with this approach, we’ll get through this regression just as successfully as we did with the Ferber Method.
Conclusion
When choosing a sleep training method, it’s essential to consider the age of your baby, your level of comfort with crying, and how much time and effort you’re willing to invest. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, and the key to success lies in consistency and patience.
For parents concerned about the long-term impacts of the Cry It Out and Ferber methods, my article on the science behind these methods can provide further insights and help you make an informed decision.
Products to help you sleep training
Besides the full list of The Best Products for a Calming Bedtime Routine and Restful Nights, here are some must have for sleep training.
White Noise Machine:
- Helps to create a consistent sleep environment, which is crucial during sleep training.
Sleep Sacks (for preventing climbing out of the crib):
- Keeps older babies and toddlers secure in the crib, preventing them from climbing out during sleep training.
Baby Monitor:
- Allows parents to observe and monitor their baby’s progress during sleep training without needing to enter the room.
- Few example including one with secure transmission without WIFI. I use the Google one through wifi. I like it because I can see my baby either on Google Nest Hub monitor or on my phone app. And I can even see the baby on my phone outside the house.
Sleep Training Clock:
- Helps toddlers understand when it’s time to sleep and when it’s okay to wake up, which can be useful during sleep training.
Make it fun and motivational for your baby
In addition to these products, make sure you have all the basics from Best Products for a calming bedtime routine and restful nights.