Babies generally begin to develop self-soothing skills between 1 to 3 months of age, but more noticeable self-soothing behaviors typically appear between 3 to 6 months. Early signs include sucking fingers or thumbs, rubbing their face, or pausing briefly after waking instead of immediately crying. By around 6 months, many babies show more consistent ability to calm themselves and resettle after waking, often using objects like a favorite toy or thumb sucking. However, this development is highly individual, with some babies taking longer and sometimes reverting back during periods of teething, illness, or separation anxiety. Self-soothing is not about leaving a baby to "cry it out" but rather a gradual process where babies learn to regulate their emotions and transitions between sleep cycles, supported by a responsive caregiver. Creating a calm sleep environment and consistent bedtime routines helps encourage this ability. It's important to note that even at 12 months, many babies still require parental support at times, as self-soothing develops progressively alongside neurological maturity and emotional regulation skills.
