Sleep training is the process used to teach your child to fall asleep independently. Multiple age-appropriate methods are available to help babies learn how to get more restful sleep. Parents help their little ones with this important lifelong skill. This allows them to feel better during the day, as will their parents, which will greatly improve the overall quality-of-life for the entire family.

If you’re committed to following the sleep plan with consistency, most families will see dramatic improvements within a matter of days. By the end of two weeks, most families have reached their sleep goals, though a few might take an extra week. Staying consistent and remaining patient are two primary keys to long term success.

Your baby is likely to communicate via crying how they feel about doing something new. This is normal, but most babies learn quickly, and the crying won’t last long. Your sleep consultant will communicate thoroughly with you any amount of crying you will encounter.

Absolutely. You can breastfeed and allow your child to learn independent sleep skills simultaneously.

Babies and toddlers will be teething for 3 years. There is no need to wait until all their teeth have erupted before you start implementing good sleep habits.

Definitely! Sleep plan implementation will allow you to specify the boundaries needed to provide your child with the gift of restful sleep. This is only one of the many ways you can care for them. Your gentle presence and patience will allow you to implement the sleep plan with grace.

Yes, but I won’t be the right sleep consultant for you. I work with families who want to teach their children to fall asleep independently in a separate, safe sleep space, according to AAP guidelines. For babies under one, this would be a bassinet, crib, or pack-n-play. This can be done while room-sharing or in a separate room. If you prefer to continue bed-sharing, I’m happy to refer you to other sleep consultants who may be better suited for you.

Nighttime sleep requires a consistent sleep space, however, there is more flexibility during the day for naptimes. Children tend to sleep the best when they are in their own beds at home. Occasionally, naps can occur in the car, in a carrier or stroller, etc. Many times, parenting requires you to find the right balance between your child’s schedule and your own. At the beginning of sleep training, it is best to find time to provide as many naps as possible in their crib so that they can learn to associate their crib with sleep.

No. Night weaning and sleep training are two separate methods. Depending on your specific situation and the advice of your pediatrician, you can decide whether or not it makes sense to gently wean your baby from frequent night feedings. Many times the night weaning process is expedited when your child has learned how to fall back asleep independently.

No. There is no research showing that limited crying derived from sleep training harms children in any way. You’re a loving parent teaching your child how to achieve quality sleep.

I recommend waiting as long as possible. There is no need to rush this process! Cribs provide safety and security. Some toddlers struggle when they’re given the freedom to get out of bed at night. The transition from crib to bed goes best when you already have established strong sleep boundaries.

If your child is currently sick, hold off on implementing a new sleep plan until they are healthy. If you’ve already started the sleep training process and your child is already sleeping independently, don’t back off at the first sign of a sniffle. Typically, a mild respiratory illness isn’t cause for you to change anything. However, if your baby is having a hard time with their illness, I recommend changing as little as possible. Provide your child the space to sleep in their usual way, but give them a little extra emotional support, as necessary. With any illness, I defer to your child’s pediatrician for specific recommendations.