How to Sleep Train Your Baby
Tags: Baby, Baby Sleep Training, Babysleepproblems, Baby Care, Baby Sleep

There’s no one way to sleep train, but many parents find that one or a mix of the following sleep training methods works for their families:

1. Cry it out (CIO)

The cry it out method of sleep training, also called the “extinction” method, involves putting your baby to bed and letting her cry until she falls asleep without any comfort or help from you.

That means as long as you’ve ensured you’ve put your baby to bed with a full tummy and in a safe sleep environment, you won’t go back into her room until it’s time for her to get up the next morning or until she needs to eat next.

While it may seem harsh, CIO is harder on you than on your little one. With consistency (that’s the key!), your baby should begin falling asleep on her own within three to four nights, give or take.

2. Ferber method

Not a fan of letting baby cry without some degree of attention and comfort? Try the Ferber method, a type of “graduated extinction” or “check-and-console,” which involves allowing your baby to cry for a set period of time before you check on her.

These timed intervals of crying get longer by a few minutes with each interval until she falls asleep.

Over several nights, you’ll gradually increase the length of these intervals, reducing your presence in baby’s room to let your baby do more of the work of settling down. Pretty soon, there’s no need for these comfort check-ins because your baby has learned to self-soothe.

3. Chair method

This method may work better for older babies and might feel more comfortable to you (and your baby) than cry it out or Ferber. Sit in a chair next to your baby’s crib until she falls asleep, without picking her up. Move the chair farther away each night until you’re near the door.

At that point, your baby should be able to fall asleep without you there. This method won’t work for babies who can’t put you out of mind until you’re out of sight, however.

And while this technique may be the right fit for some families, know that it may lead to more tears for some babies. When your baby falls asleep with you in the room, she may be startled and possibly upset when she awakes and you’re no longer there.

4. Bedtime fading method

Does your little one wail for extended periods of time before falling asleep? Her body might not be ready for sleep at your desired bedtime. The bedtime fading method can modify her circadian rhythm to get bedtime to where you want it to be. Here’s how.

Pay attention to baby’s sleep cues (eye rubbing, yawning, turning away from lights or sound, fussiness).

Once your baby seems tired, put her to bed.

Hopefully she’ll fall asleep fast, but if she cries a lot, take her out of the crib for a set amount of time (say, half an hour) and then try again.

After a few nights of putting her down at that time, move bedtime 15 minutes earlier and repeat the process with this new bedtime.

Gradually move bedtime earlier in 15-minute increments until you reach your desired bedtime.

Bedtime fading also sometimes describes any sleep training strategy that involves gradually decreasing a parent’s presence in baby’s room when putting her down to sleep.

5. Pick up, put down method

This sleep training technique involves you going through your baby’s normal bedtime routine, then putting her down to bed drowsy but awake. When and if she cries, wait a few minutes to see if she settles down herself. If not, go in to pick her up and soothe her. When she’s calm again, put her back down in the crib or bassinet.

Repeat the process until your baby falls asleep. Just be aware that this sleep training method can take a long time, and requires a good deal of patience.