sleep-training
A method of teaching infants and young children to fall asleep independently and return to sleep without parental intervention.
| Earliest safe age | 4 months (11+ pounds) |
| Typical duration | 3–7 nights for initial success |
| Success indicators | 5–6 hour sleep stretches |
Core Principle
Sleep-training addresses the fundamental issue: children who require external assistance (rocking, feeding, nursing) to fall asleep struggle to return to sleep independently after completing a natural sleep cycle (60 minutes for infants, 90 minutes for adults). The goal is teaching the child to transition from fully awake to fully asleep without assistance.
Primary Methods
| Method | Description | Parental response |
|---|---|---|
| Extinction (cold turkey) | Put child down awake, no return until morning | None |
| Graduated extinction | Check at increasing intervals (90 seconds, 2 minutes, 5 minutes) | Brief reassurance (1–2 minutes), no feeding/rocking |
| Pick up/put down (fading) | Gradually reduce physical contact over several nights | Progressive withdrawal |
Note: All methods involve some degree of crying or protest whilst the child adjusts to the new sleep association.
Implementation Steps
- Verify readiness — Weight >11 pounds, has achieved 5–6 hour sleep stretch previously, reduced hunger during night feeds
- Optimise daytime sleep — Adjust naps to age-appropriate totals to increase nighttime sleep drive
- Establish no-feed period — Set minimum interval (typically 3–4 hours initially) before first Night feeding
- Delay response — Wait 90 seconds minimum before entering room; studies show this pause teaches self-soothing
- Brief comfort only — If entering, pat/shush for 1–2 minutes maximum, then leave before child falls asleep
- Partner involvement — Non-nursing parent should handle night wakings to reduce milk-scent cues
Expected Timeline
- Nights 1–2: Most intense crying (typically 45 minutes per wake cycle)
- Nights 3–5: Marked improvement in longest sleep stretch
- Week 2+: Jagged progress curve—some regression nights are normal
- Weeks 3–4: Consolidation of independent sleep pattern
Physiological Context
Stress hormones: Cortisol levels remain elevated even after infant stops crying (conditioning vs relating debate).
Circadian rhythm: Develops around 3–4 months; sleep-training works with this maturation, not against it.
Sleep cycles: Infants naturally wake between cycles; self-soothing ability determines whether they return to sleep or fully wake.
Common Obstacles
- Extinction burst — Temporary increase in crying intensity before improvement (nights 2–3)
- Early morning wakings — Require separate protocol; not resolved by bedtime training alone
- Night feeding habits — Distinguish hunger from habit; gradually extend no-feed periods by 1 hour weekly
- Inconsistent application — Reverting to old methods during illness/travel undermines progress
Contraindications
- Consult paediatrician before beginning
- Not recommended during illness, major life transitions, or after trauma
- May increase distress in temperamentally sensitive children
Alternative Perspective
Critics argue sleep-training treats the child "as an it rather than as an individual person" and that silent compliance doesn't indicate absence of stress. Co-sleeping advocates note that proximity reduces arousal to full wakefulness naturally.
See also: [[Night Weaning]], Self-Soothing, Sleep Cycles, [[Sleep Regression]], [[Nap Training]]