The best time to start official sleep training is during the 4-month sleep regression. The earlier you instill independent sleep habits for your infant, the faster they learn sleep skills and establish a reliable pattern. Many of my clients tell me that they wish they had sleep trained their baby at 4 months, instead of waiting it out, because the exhaustion only grew harder as their child got older, and it becomes harder to break habits later on. However, I want to reassure you that it’s never too late to make positive changes for your child and instill new, longer-lasting sleep habits that help everyone get restorative sleep. 

Around 4 months of age, a permanent cognitive shift occurs in the brain, causing sleep patterns to mature into adult-like sleep cycles. As your baby goes through this regression, you'll notice that they will continue to wake every 1 to 2 hours at night. The best way to manage this is to sleep train (using a method of your choice) and establish healthy sleep habits now. Suppose your baby has already formed a strong sleep association (such as nursing, bottle feeding, or rocking to sleep); that association will disrupt their sleep cycles, causing them to wake fully and cry out, seeking that same association to return to sleep every time. This can create a cycle of frequent waking throughout the night, and their body will become accustomed to this waking pattern, which won't resolve on its own. Sleep training helps them learn how to transition smoothly between sleep cycles and directly into the next cycle, and they will wake only when necessary, such as for hunger. 

A cognitive shift occurs in the brain around 4 months of age, where sleep cycles transition from two distinct stages of newborn sleep (active and quiet sleep) to mature adult-like sleep stages (4 to 5 sleep cycles). As a result, they wake more frequently at night and have a harder time getting back to sleep, hence the word regression. This is completely normal and to be expected. 

The best way to support your infant through this experience is to implement sleep training (a method of your choice). The earlier you instill independent sleep habits for your infant, the faster they learn sleep skills and establish a reliable pattern. This makes it easier for them to expect what sleep will look like, and it makes it easier for you to handle their sleep habits. What parents often do not realize is that sleep habits are imprinted very early, during the first 2-4 months. Therefore, the process of getting your infant to fall asleep becomes a formed habit, and it becomes ingrained if it is not corrected/changed. They may even have a preference this early as well. Starting early by working on independent sleep skills and establishing routines helps prevent sleep problems later on and gives your child a stronger chance of connecting sleep cycles more smoothly. 

No. Sleep training means supporting your child through the process of learning how to fall asleep independently. Night weaning is the process of gradually reducing feeds (nursing sessions or ounces in a bottle) night after night, and shifting those calories during the day, and eventually regulating the child's hunger at night and/or eliminating habitual waking for a feed. 

Whether you want to night wean is your decision. If you feel more comfortable with 1-2 nighttime feeds, I encourage you to do so, especially if you are nursing and want to maintain your milk supply, or if your pediatrician has advised you to continue nighttime feedings. If you prefer to pump at "feeding times," allowing your child to continue sleeping, I will support you through that as well. You create your sleep goals, and I guide and support you along the way, helping you feel more confident and empowered in achieving your sleep goals and parenting choices.  

For healthy, developing infants, following a solid feeding schedule during the day, preventing overtiredness, creating healthy sleep habits and hygiene early, and helping them adjust their circadian rhythms can enable them to sleep through the night (10-12 hours) as early as 12 weeks of age, and sometimes even sooner. 

Infants, children, and adults have the capability to fall asleep independently and can learn how to do so. When they learn this skill, they are better equipped to sleep through the night and not require assistance every time to fall asleep at naps/bedtime, and are more likely to settle back to sleep without needing to be rocked, fed, or held when they briefly wake at night. Sleep trained babies have earlier consolidated nighttime sleep (meaning they can go in and out of sleep cycles easily without fully waking), leading to fewer or no nighttime wakings, and they can get themselves back to sleep. They aren't expecting to be put back to sleep because they know how to do it on their own. 

Reframing how you may view and handle sleep, from "my child needs help to fall asleep, they can't do it on their own" to "my child is responsible for their own way of falling asleep and can self-settle; I just need to offer opportunities for my child to try. I believe my child can do it. The more consistent I am, the faster my child will adjust and learn this new way of falling asleep. I trust the process and ultimately,  I trust my child." Do you hear the difference in those statements? You do not want to doubt your child's abilities; instead, you support and guide them toward discovering their own way of falling asleep, trusting the process. 

When dependent habits are replaced with established independent sleep skills, children have the best chance of sleeping well for every sleep opportunity, taking solid naps, and sleeping through the night (10-12 hours). With that understanding, your mindset will shift. There is no quick solution; commitment and consistency in implementing new changes are essential to successful sleep training. I'll support you in gaining the confidence that your child can do this; that's when you'll see the real change. 

Crying is a natural way for newborns, infants, and toddlers to communicate when they are uncomfortable, tired, hungry, bored, upset, etc. Learning your child's different cries helps you become a more attuned parent, allowing you to respond to your child's needs more effectively. No parent wants to hear their child cry, and no parent wants their child to cry unnecessarily. As we work together, I will help you identify areas of concern in your daily schedule, including feeding, activity, and sleep routines. I will make recommended adjustments and guide you on wake windows and when to put your child down for their nap/bedtime. When all other needs are met, it becomes easier to listen and tune in to the crying and find reassurance that crying around sleep can simply mean your child is tired and wants to be sleeping, but they don't know how to do it on their own just yet. I help you identify the difference between fussing and crying. 

I help you understand that the process by which a child falls asleep is a learned behavior. So when you change an ingrained habit and replace it with a new way of sleeping, expect protest, dislike, and resistance from your child. Your child may not like this new way of sleeping or may show their big feelings about the new change. Although learning new skills can be challenging, your role is to help them grow, accept, and adapt to changes that benefit them. I'll give you reassurance that you can lead as a parent and maintain authority over sleep habits, as sleep rules are a parenting decision. We know that infants and children are resilient, able to adjust to new experiences, and capable of learning new skills. Your role is to support your child through the changes, but not do the work for them as they learn the skill of falling asleep. As your child becomes more comfortable with new sleep expectations, they will accept them and exhibit less resistance over time, resulting in fewer crying and protesting behaviors. 

I want to clarify that sleep training is never letting a baby/child cry or leaving them to cry. 

As infants and toddlers learn the skills to fall asleep independently, they may feel upset or cry in response to the new changes in their sleep routine. But this does not mean they are left alone. Parents are always there to provide reassurance and support throughout the sleep training process. Whether parents choose to stay in the room or give their child some space, their child isn't neglected, as parents are still present in their care and supporting them every step of the way. 

When you shift your mindset in this regard, you'll begin to make positive changes in your child's sleep habits. 

Any sleep training method you choose, along with the sleep habits you’re trying to establish for your child, will take time. Your child once learned a way of falling asleep, and now you’re supporting them through a new way of falling asleep. This takes patience, consistency, and dedication. It also requires you to have loving, respectful boundaries with your child. All sleep training methods are effective when implemented correctly and completed to the end. If one sleep training method does not feel right for you, then it is recommended to pivot and choose another sleep training method you’re able to implement and commit to. I will help you in doing that if we need to troubleshoot and pivot. 

This must feel awful, and I am sorry you are receiving negative comments. When it comes to our children, making a decision based on others' opinions can bring unwanted guilt; therefore, it becomes challenging to reconcile which choice to make. I don't want you to feel this way. I encourage you to disregard any opinions that make you uncomfortable or those with which you disagree. Outside noise can influence our decisions, and when it is set aside, we can make more informed and confident decisions. Not only is sleep training a parenting decision, but it is also a very personal decision. If you truly believe that sleep training will benefit your family and you wish to pursue this support, it is your personal choice to seek it out. 

So if you feel ready to take that leap and work on improving sleep in your home, I am here to be your cheerleader and support person. I will hold your hand through the process, provide you with the best support, and answer all your questions during our time together. I believe in you!

I believe the only way sleep training will work is if you truly believe it will benefit your child. If you don't want to sleep train, you don't have to. I understand that making changes to your child's sleep habits can feel scary, and I know that deciding on sleep support for your child takes time. However, with your efforts and consistency, your child's sleep can and will improve. With my support, you can reach a point where you and your child are no longer sleep-deprived. When you make sleep habits a parenting decision, rather than letting them be a child-led decision, sleep will dramatically change and improve in your home. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I hope one day I'll have the pleasure of supporting your family. 

If you're feeling lost or unsure about where to turn, I encourage you to schedule a call with me. I don't want you to feel alone because I know how hard it is when sleep deprivation clouds thoughts, making it hard to think clearly and make decisions. I can help guide the conversation and give you some clarity on what you may need. I will help you figure out the next steps, whether that involves working together or assessing your readiness to start and commit to a plan. My goal is to help you feel confident about your decision and ultimately find the best solution that aligns with your parenting style and your family's needs. If at any time during our call you feel like you would like sleep support, I'll walk you through how I can best help you and what that looks like. 

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The best results I’ve seen come from clients who believe in sleep training, are open to guidance, are coachable, consistently follow the sleep plan, and are committed to helping their child sleep safely in their crib. These parents are the ones whose children learn to fall asleep independently, leading to better naps and longer nighttime sleep (10-12 hours). If my approach resonates with you and feels like a good fit, I’d be excited to work together to help your child sleep well. >>> Book a Discovery Call

The main question I want to ask you is, how do you want sleep to look like in your home? If your answer is that you want your baby/toddler to sleep in their room, in their crib, and sleep independently without much fuss, then I can reassure you that this can become your reality, but it will come with your child disliking the change (crying). The way in which your child falls asleep and stays asleep is largely a result of what you have taught them. Making changes like this will require time, consistency, and commitment. Your child can unlearn old habits and learn new ones with your encouragement. Once your child realizes you are serious, they will adjust and adapt to the new changes, making it a new habit they will expect. If you feel ready for this change, I am here for you. My role is to help and guide you as you navigate this transition, empowering you to stay consistent, get past the hard, and get closer to your sleep goals.