Are you a sleep-deprived parent praying for a full night’s rest? Then you’re more than aware that, as much as you love your little bundle of joy, your child has also been the main contributor to your lack of sleep these many months.
Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it eventually.
The issue is that you don’t really know exactly when that will happen – and how much longer you can take being sleep deprived.
At this point, maybe you should consider sleep training your child.
But…what exactly is sleep training? Is your child still too young to sleep without you? What methods would be effective for such an endeavour?
It’s time to learn the ins and outs of sleep training, and establish healthy sleep routines that won’t just benefit your baby, but yourself too.
What Is Sleep Training?
Sleep training refers to the process by which parents teach their children to be comfortable falling asleep by themselves, even when they wake up mid-sleep.
The idea is to get your child to realise that they are capable of settling or soothing themselves in bed—and thus become less reliant on you as a sleep aid.
As to whether your child is old enough for sleep training, according to Paediatric Consultant Dr Petrina Wong: “When a baby starts to have a regular sleep-wake cycle and does not require night feedings, this may be the right time to start sleep training.”
This typically occurs when they’re around 4 to 6 months old, which is when their circadian rhythm starts to go into effect.
However, never try sleep training a newborn; their sleep patterns are more disorganised, and they’re too young to develop the ability to self-soothe.
If you’re not sure whether it’s the right time to sleep train your child, or how you should go about doing it, you can also consult your paediatrician for advice.
Common Sleep Training Techniques
There are quite a few sleep training methods out there, with some of the most popular ones being:
The Cry-It-Out Method (CIO)
Also known as the extinction method, CIO is pretty much the main technique brought up when you’re discussing sleep training, and generally works the fastest.
For the most part, whether under CIO or another method, you can prepare your child for bed once they’ve displayed sleepy cues, such as yawning or eye-rubbing.
But if you’re following CIO, you need to ensure that all their needs for the night, including feeding them, changing their diaper, and making sure their crib is safe, have been met – because once you say goodnight to them, you’re not picking them up again until morning.
CIO can be difficult for caregivers because, as suggested in its very name, your baby might cry it out, but it’s important that you don’t take them out of their crib. It is crucial that everyone in the family is on the same page if you want to adopt this method. After a few days, your child should become used to drifting off without assistance.
However, keep in mind that following this method doesn’t mean ignoring your child’s weeping altogether. If you feel something is wrong, as signalled by the length or pitch of their cries, do respond as necessary.
The Ferber Method
If your child’s wailing only keeps you worried and sets off heart pangs, then you might want to try this method instead.
It also has a collection of other names, including:
- Controlled crying
- Progressive waiting
- The interval method
- The check-and-console method
It involves checking in on and reassuring your child at timed intervals, with the period between check-ins gradually getting longer throughout the night.
You can put yourself on a pre-set schedule and even set a timer. This also means that even when they cry, you don’t go to them immediately; wait until a certain amount of time has passed.
Move and speak as softly as possible each time you visit your child’s room. You can whisper words of love and encouragement, but be sure not to linger. The point is to make them understand that you’re around to support them, even if you’re not always there.
The Chair Method
The chair method, also called the fading method or camping out, doesn’t always involve a chair, but it does help you if you get to sit through it.
Like the Ferber method, it also focuses on gradual intervals, but you actually remain in the room throughout the time it takes for your child to fall asleep.
Once they’ve dozed off, you can slip out. If they wake up and cry, go back to the room and wait until they’ve drifted off again.
Every few nights, you’ll put more distance between the chair and the crib, until it eventually leaves the room, meaning that your presence is no longer needed.
The aim is to provide them with comfort as they learn to fall asleep independently.
On the side, creating a bedtime routine for your child can be a valuable addition to the experience. This can comprise activities that will help them wind down for the night, like reading or singing to them, or giving them a bath.
Is Sleep Training Right for Your Child—Or Even You?
There’s no one right method for sleep training. As it is, parents often combine a couple of techniques in their efforts to determine an effective sleep process for their child, so don’t be afraid to switch tactics if you notice your current strategy isn’t taking hold.
However, sleep training doesn’t always work. In such cases, it might be due to variable factors, such as your child’s personality, your own limits, or a sleep problem you should be consulting with your paediatrician on.
Moreover, sleep training isn’t always necessary, because falling asleep naturally will come with time. So if you and your household are completely fine with the present state of things, then that’s already the best sleep solution for you.
If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
External References
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, January 21). When and How To Sleep Train Your Baby. Retrieved from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/when-and-how-to-sleep-train-your-baby
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, January 24). How To Do the Chair Method of Sleep Training for Babies. Retrieved from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/chair-method-sleep-training
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, January 27). What Is the Ferber Method of Sleep Training Your Baby? Retrieved from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ferber-method
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, January 31). What Is the Cry-It-Out Method for Babies? Retrieved from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cry-it-out-method
- Crider, C. (2023, May 19). 8 Self-Soothing Techniques to Help Your Baby. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/self-soothing-baby
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. (2017, May 9). Bedtime Options for Babies. Retrieved from: https://www.kkh.com.sg/news/others/bedtime-options-for-babies
- Raffles Medical Group. (n.d.). What Parents Need to Know Before Sleep Training Their Child. Retrieved from: https://www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com/health-resources/health-articles/what-parents-need-to-know-before-sleep-training-their-child/
