Sleep training is a set of techniques used by parents or caregivers to help infants and young children learn to fall asleep independently and sleep for longer periods at night. The main goal is to address sleep concerns, reduce nighttime awakenings, and teach the child to self-soothe without needing external help like rocking, feeding, or being held
. Key points about sleep training include:
- It involves teaching the baby to fall asleep on their own at bedtime and to go back to sleep if they wake up during the night, without caregiver intervention unless needed for feeding or discomfort
- Sleep training methods vary widely, from more structured approaches like the "cry it out" (extinction) method and the Ferber method, to gentler, gradual techniques that minimize crying
- The process usually begins around 4 months of age when babies start to develop more predictable sleep patterns and the ability to self-soothe
- Sleep training can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the method used, the baby's temperament, and consistency in applying the approach
- It is generally considered safe and supportive of healthy development when done thoughtfully
- The practice is more common in Western countries and less so in cultures where co-sleeping is prevalent
In essence, sleep training helps babies develop healthy sleep habits by learning to fall asleep and stay asleep independently, which also improves sleep quality for parents and caregivers
