Sleep training considerations
Experts typically recommend starting newborn sleep training after the 4th trimester, between 4-6 months of age. By 4 months old, most babies can sleep for six hours between feeds overnight. By 6 months, most children can sleep through the night.
If your baby is at the age you want them to be to begin sleep training, you’ll want to make sure you and your partner are also ready to begin sleep training. Discuss sleep training methods with your partner, and be sure you are both fully committed to making it work. It can be really challenging to adjust to sleep training for everyone and you will need to support one another. It can also be beneficial to consider joining support groups or speaking with a physician to learn more about what to expect during this transitional period.
Some factors to consider when deciding whether to sleep train your infant:
- Waking often in the night: If your baby is up throughout the night wanting to be soothed or are needing to bottle or breastfeed, it may be time to think about sleep training.
- Is your baby the right age: Your baby should be around the recommended age to start sleep training, which is 4-6 months old.
- Are you (and your partner) fully invested: Sleep training typically takes commitment and consistency from everyone because it can be emotionally and physically challenging. If you and your partner are not ready, that’s OK.
- Baby sleeps well: If your baby is already sleeping well, there may not be a reason to force training. If their sleep habits change you can always consider sleep training later.
Pros and cons of sleep training
The time it takes to sleep train a baby will depend on which method you decide to pursue and your baby’s unique needs and preferences. Typically, it will only take between three to seven nights to train your baby. Some parents experience a longer training timeframe, and that’s OK too.
In addition to the broad considerations to sleep training, there are some clearer pros and cons:
- Pro: Improve sleep habits.
- Pro: Babies learn to sleep through the night.
- Pro: Parents sleep more.
- Pro: Babies learn to self-soothe.
- Con: Takes time and effort.
- Con: Most babies cry during sleep training.
- Con: Parents may feel mean not soothing or helping their baby fall asleep.
- Con: Often adds stress to parenting partners’ relationship during sleep training.
Is sleep training harmful?
There is no research showing that sleep training is harmful. However, there are still a lot of two-sided conversations on the internet about sleep training babies. Some people say sleep training a newborn is incredibly important for babies and families.
Alternatively, some believe that sleep training is harmful and produces unnecessary stress for the infant. We have no evidence infant crying in sleep training causes harm, but it is a valid philosophical concern. This can be confusing and guilt-inducing to parents but know that you will always be an expert on your child. Sleep training infants using gentle sleep training methods can actually be quite beneficial for both babies and caretakers.
The anti-sleep training movement
Some people choose not to sleep train their baby or toddler for their own reasons. Every family is unique, and there are many ways to get healthy, restorative sleep.
While many people believe in the success of sleep training, some parents don’t. As mentioned, some feel it is harmful and don’t want to subject their children to the stress of sleep training. Some families also choose not to try traditional sleep training methods because they are practicing other methods of gentle parenting. Everyone is welcome to make their own choices surrounding sleep training and whether or not they want to take part in it.