When to Start Sleep Training
Many parents and parents-to-be often have questions about sleep training. Some ask what sleep training is, others want to know when to start, and of course, how long it takes.
What is Sleep Training?
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby or toddler to fall asleep independently and sleep through the night. This means:
Falling asleep independently: Your child is placed in the cot awake and falls asleep without any assistance (e.g. without being rocked, patted, fed, or given a dummy).
Sleeping through the night: Your child sleeps for 9-12 hours without the need for intervention. Some children may still require one night feed for a while, depending on your paediatrician’s recommendation. It’s also important to note that your child may wake briefly during the night but should be able to settle back to sleep on their own, and this still counts as sleeping through the night.
There are several sleep training methods you might have heard about. I detail these in my blog post on sleep training methods. While many methods exist, it’s important to note that having an effective sleep training plan is different. A method tells you how to respond when your child wakes up, but successful sleep training is about more than just reacting to night wakings—it’s about looking at the whole day.
Can I sleep train a newborn?
No, I don’t recommend sleep training newborns. However, it’s entirely possible to work towards good sleep habits during the newborn phase without formal sleep training. I offer a newborn guiding service for babies aged 0-12 weeks. I’ve seen great success with parents who establish good sleep hygiene from day one.
When can you start sleep training a baby?
Babies are typically not developmentally ready for formal sleep training until they are at least 4 months old. This is usually after the 4-month sleep regression, where your child’s sleep patterns begin to resemble more adult-like sleep stages.
Families who attempt to sleep train before 4 months often find that it takes longer and involves more crying. After this stage, melatonin production tends to regulate, and your baby’s sleep stages become more consistent, making sleep training more manageable.
Is there a best age to sleep train?
There isn’t a single best age to sleep train. However, as mentioned, waiting until your baby is at least 4 months old is essential. Beyond that, the best time to sleep train is when it works for your family as a whole.
In my experience, the ideal time to sleep train is when your baby is healthy and thriving. If your baby is dealing with colic, reflux, or other health issues, it’s important to address those before starting sleep training. There will likely be some fussing and protest in the first few nights, so we want to ensure it’s due to the routine change rather than any discomfort that needs attention. If your baby is healthy, then it’s the "right time" to sleep train.
Another key factor is the parent’s readiness. I find that when a parent is committed to improving sleep for the household, it’s much easier to stick to the plan. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in the sleep training process and are essential for ensuring it goes smoothly.
How long does sleep training take?
It varies. Some children are quick to adapt, while others take a bit longer. The length of time also depends on the method you choose. However, with consistency, you should see significant progress within the first week of implementing a plan. My support for parents usually lasts for three weeks, as most challenges are addressed by that time.
Are there any reasons not to sleep train?
Yes. Sleep training is a big decision and can be stressful. As with many significant decisions, some times are more ideal than others. Here are a few reasons I’d recommend delaying sleep training:
Your baby is younger than 4 months old
Your baby is unwell or has an underlying health condition
You’re unable to commit to a consistent period for sleep training
You’re travelling soon
You’re expecting visitors to stay with you
You don’t feel ready to start sleep training
Your partner isn’t on board with sleep training
Your current environment isn’t suitable
That said, there’s no perfect moment to sleep train. It’s important to find an ideal time, but bear in mind that there will always be something that’s not quite perfect. Teething and developmental milestones shouldn’t prevent your baby from learning to sleep through the night, and these milestones will continue until your little one is nearly ready to graduate from secondary school!
If you’re considering sleep training your baby or toddler, I’d love to help. Reach out for a free introductory call to find out more.
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Yes, you can sleep train your toddler. It is never too late to instill good sleep habits in your child. It is important to plan your child's sleep plan according to their developmental readiness.
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There is on one better than you to know when your child is ready for sleep training. You know what is best for the entire household. If your child is healthy and at least 4 months old, and you are mentally ready to sleep train, then you might be ready to explore sleep training. I would recommend speaking to your pediatrician to check for readiness or to book in a 20-30 minute call with me to explore whether sleep training might be suitable.
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As with night sleep, I recommend waiting until your child is at least 4 months old. However, I believe that when sleep training, we should be exploring all sleeps - naps and bedtime - at one go. While night time can get resolved faster, it is important to be consistent to get the naps in place as well.
