Introduction: Understanding Baby Sleep Training
Sleep training isn’t just about getting more rest for exhausted parents—it’s about helping your baby develop healthy sleep habits that will benefit them throughout their life. After helping thousands of families achieve better sleep through evidence-based methods, this comprehensive guide shares the five most effective, pediatrician-approved sleep training techniques that can transform your nights from chaotic to peaceful.
Every baby is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another. That’s why understanding multiple approaches empowers you to choose the method that aligns with your parenting style, your baby’s temperament, and your family’s needs. This guide provides detailed instructions, realistic timelines, and troubleshooting tips for each method, ensuring you have all the tools needed for success.
Important Medical Disclaimer: Always consult with your pediatrician before beginning any sleep training program. This guide provides educational information based on established sleep research and should not replace professional medical advice. Every baby develops differently, and your healthcare provider can best assess if your child is ready for sleep training.
When Is Your Baby Ready for Sleep Training?
Most sleep experts and pediatricians agree that babies can begin gentle sleep training between 4 to 6 months of age. At this stage, most babies have developed the neurological maturity to sleep for longer stretches and can learn to self-soothe. However, readiness isn’t just about age—it’s about developmental milestones and individual circumstances.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Sleep Training
Physical readiness indicators include the ability to sleep for at least one 4-6 hour stretch at night, weighing at least 14 pounds (ensuring they don’t need nighttime feeds for nutrition), and having established relatively predictable feeding patterns during the day. Your baby should also have outgrown the Moro reflex, which can cause sudden wakings.
Developmental milestones that suggest readiness include increased alertness and engagement during wake windows, the ability to bring hands to mouth for self-soothing, and showing tired cues predictably. Many babies also begin rolling over around this time, indicating improved motor control and body awareness.
Health considerations are paramount. Your baby should be healthy without ear infections, teething pain, or other medical issues that could interfere with sleep. Growth spurts, developmental leaps, and major life changes (like starting daycare) are not ideal times to begin sleep training.
Creating the Optimal Sleep Environment
Before implementing any sleep training method, establish an environment conducive to quality sleep. The room temperature should be between 68-72°F (20-22°C), which research shows is optimal for infant sleep. Use blackout curtains to create complete darkness, as even small amounts of light can interfere with melatonin production.
White noise machines provide consistent, soothing sound that masks household noises and mimics the womb environment. Set the volume to about 50 decibels—roughly the sound of a soft shower. Ensure the crib meets current safety standards with a firm mattress, fitted sheet, and no loose blankets, pillows, or toys that could pose suffocation risks.
Consider using a sleep sack or wearable blanket appropriate for room temperature, eliminating the need for loose bedding while keeping your baby comfortable. Many parents find video monitors helpful for observing their baby without entering the room, which can disrupt the training process.
Method 1: The Ferber Method (Graduated Extinction)
Developed by Dr. Richard Ferber, this progressive waiting approach teaches babies to self-soothe by gradually increasing the time between parental check-ins. Often misunderstood as “cry it out,” the Ferber Method actually involves regular, brief comfort sessions that reassure both baby and parents.
How the Ferber Method Works
After your bedtime routine, place your baby in the crib awake but drowsy. Leave the room immediately. If your baby cries, wait a predetermined amount of time before returning for a brief check-in lasting no more than 1-2 minutes. During check-ins, offer verbal reassurance (“Mommy’s here, it’s time to sleep”) but avoid picking up your baby or extended interaction.
Night 1 intervals: First wait: 3 minutes, Second wait: 5 minutes, Third and subsequent waits: 10 minutes
Night 2 intervals: First wait: 5 minutes, Second wait: 10 minutes, Third and subsequent waits: 15 minutes
Night 3 intervals: First wait: 10 minutes, Second wait: 15 minutes, Third and subsequent waits: 20 minutes
Continue this pattern, increasing intervals each night until your baby learns to fall asleep independently. Most families see significant improvement within 3-7 nights, though some babies may take up to two weeks to fully adjust.
Tips for Ferber Method Success
Consistency is absolutely crucial—both parents must follow the same intervals and approach. Keep check-ins brief and boring, avoiding stimulating interaction that might reward the crying. Some parents find it helpful to have one parent handle all check-ins to maintain consistency in voice and approach.
Track progress in a sleep log, noting bedtime, wake times, and duration of crying episodes. Many parents are surprised to find crying actually decreases each night when they review their notes objectively. If crying exceeds 30-45 minutes on any night, ensure your baby isn’t overtired, hungry, or experiencing discomfort.
When to Modify or Avoid This Method
The Ferber Method may not be suitable for babies with separation anxiety, reflux issues requiring upright positioning after feeds, or parents who find any crying too distressing. Families in apartments with thin walls might also need alternative approaches to maintain neighborly relations.
Method 2: The Chair Method (Sleep Lady Shuffle)
Created by Kim West (The Sleep Lady), this gentler graduated approach allows parents to remain present while teaching independent sleep skills. Parents gradually move further from the crib over several nights, providing decreasing levels of support while maintaining physical presence.
Implementing the Chair Method
Nights 1-3: Place a chair directly beside the crib. After your bedtime routine, put your baby down awake and sit in the chair. You can touch, pat, or shush your baby intermittently, but avoid constant contact. Stay until your baby falls asleep, using minimal interaction.
Nights 4-6: Move the chair halfway across the room. Continue offering verbal reassurance (“You’re doing great, time for sleep”) but eliminate physical touch. Your presence alone provides comfort while encouraging self-soothing.
Nights 7-9: Position the chair by the doorway, just inside the room. Offer only occasional verbal reassurance, allowing your baby to primarily self-soothe with the security of your presence.
Nights 10-12: Move outside the door, within earshot but out of sight. Provide brief verbal reassurance if needed, but allow your baby to fall asleep independently.
Managing Challenges with the Chair Method
The extended timeline requires significant patience and consistency. Some babies become more stimulated by parental presence, standing in the crib and demanding interaction. Stay calm and boring—avoid eye contact, keep interactions minimal, and resist the urge to pick up your baby unless genuinely distressed.
For particularly persistent babies, implement the “dramatic wake-up” technique: if your baby won’t settle after 30 minutes, turn on lights, leave the room for 5 minutes, then return and restart the bedtime routine. This reset often helps babies understand it’s still bedtime, not playtime.
Success Strategies for the Chair Method
Choose a comfortable chair—you’ll be spending considerable time there. Some parents use the time for meditation, deep breathing, or listening to podcasts with one earbud. Prepare activities that keep you occupied without creating light or noise that might stimulate your baby.
Partners should alternate nights when possible, preventing one parent from bearing the entire burden. If you must switch mid-implementation due to travel or illness, maintain the current chair position rather than starting over, preserving progress made.
Method 3: Pick Up, Put Down Method
Developed by Tracy Hogg (The Baby Whisperer), this hands-on approach combines physical comfort with teaching independent sleep skills. Parents pick up crying babies for comfort, then return them to the crib when calm, repeating as necessary until sleep occurs.
The PUPD Process
When your baby cries after being placed in the crib awake, wait 30-60 seconds to see if they self-settle. If crying continues, pick up your baby and hold them until calm but not fully asleep—usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Once calm, immediately return them to the crib, even if crying resumes instantly.
Repeat this process as many times as necessary. Initial nights might require 20-50 repetitions, but consistency leads to rapid improvement. Most babies learn within 5-7 nights that comfort is available but sleep must happen in the crib.
Age-Specific Modifications
4-6 months: Pick up at first cry, focusing on quick comfort and return. Babies this age need more reassurance and physical contact.
6-8 months: Wait 2-3 minutes before picking up, allowing opportunity for self-soothing. Reduce holding time to prevent the pick-up from becoming a reward.
8+ months: Consider modifying to “pat and shush” in the crib rather than picking up, as older babies may become more stimulated by the lifting motion.
Physical Considerations and Limitations
This method requires significant physical stamina—bending and lifting repeatedly can strain backs and arms. Parents with physical limitations, cesarean recovery, or back problems might need modifications. Consider using a crib with an adjustable mattress at the highest safe position to reduce bending.
Some babies find the repeated picking up overstimulating rather than soothing, becoming increasingly agitated with each cycle. If your baby seems more upset after 3-4 nights, consider switching methods. This approach typically works best for babies who need physical reassurance but can eventually self-soothe.
Method 4: The Gentle/No-Cry Approach
Based on attachment parenting principles and popularized by Elizabeth Pantley’s “No-Cry Sleep Solution,” this method prioritizes minimal distress while gradually teaching independent sleep skills. Changes happen slowly but with virtually no crying.
Core Principles of Gentle Sleep Training
Create positive sleep associations through consistent, calming bedtime routines lasting 30-45 minutes. This might include bath time, massage with lavender lotion (check for allergies first), quiet songs, and reading books. The routine signals sleep time without relying on feeding or rocking to complete unconsciousness.
Gradually reduce sleep dependencies over weeks or months. If your baby needs nursing to sleep, progressively shorten nursing sessions by 30 seconds nightly. For rocking dependencies, slow the motion gradually until you’re simply holding, then transition to placing in crib drowsy but awake.
The Pantley Pull-Off Technique
For babies who nurse or bottle-feed to sleep, gently remove the nipple when sucking slows but before complete sleep. If your baby protests, quickly reinsert and try again in 30 seconds. Repeat until your baby accepts removal without fully waking. Over time, remove the nipple earlier in the feeding process.
This technique typically requires 10-14 nights of consistent application before babies stop requiring sucking for sleep transition. Document progress—even small improvements like accepting removal 30 seconds earlier represent success.
Creating Sleep Pressure Without Tears
Adjust nap schedules to build appropriate sleep pressure for bedtime. Most 6-month-olds need 2-3 hours of awake time before bed. Extending this slightly (by 15-30 minutes) can help babies fall asleep more easily without becoming overtired.
Introduce a lovey or comfort object (ensure it’s safe for your baby’s age) that stays in the crib, creating a positive sleep association. Some parents sleep with the lovey first, transferring their scent for additional comfort.
Timeline and Realistic Expectations
Gentle methods typically require 2-6 weeks for noticeable improvement, with complete independent sleep taking 1-3 months. Progress happens in small increments—celebrating minor victories maintains motivation during the longer process.
This approach works best for families who prioritize attachment, have flexible schedules allowing for longer training periods, or have babies with sensitive temperaments who respond poorly to crying-based methods.
Method 5: Extinction (Cry It Out)
The extinction method, while controversial, remains one of the fastest and most effective sleep training approaches according to pediatric sleep research. Parents place babies in cribs awake and don’t return until morning (or scheduled night feeds), allowing complete self-soothing development.
Understanding Extinction Sleep Training
After a consistent, calming bedtime routine, place your baby in the crib awake and leave the room. Don’t return for checks, comfort, or intervention unless you suspect illness or danger. Most babies cry 45-60 minutes the first night, 20-30 minutes the second night, and less than 10 minutes by night three.
This method requires absolute consistency—one night of responding to cries can reset progress entirely. Both parents must fully commit before starting, as wavering mid-implementation often worsens sleep problems.
Safety Considerations and Monitoring
Use video monitors to observe without intervening, ensuring your baby remains safe. Watch for signs of genuine distress versus protest crying—experience helps distinguish between the two. Genuine distress includes difficulty breathing, choking sounds, or vomiting, requiring immediate intervention.
Never attempt extinction during illness, teething, developmental leaps, or major life changes. Ensure your baby has adequate daytime calories and isn’t genuinely hungry at night (consult your pediatrician about night weaning readiness).
Emotional Preparation for Parents
Many parents find extinction emotionally challenging despite its effectiveness. Prepare coping strategies: take a shower, use noise-canceling headphones, go for a walk (with one parent monitoring), or call a supportive friend who’s successfully sleep trained.
Remember that research shows no long-term psychological harm from extinction sleep training when implemented appropriately after 4-6 months. Studies actually suggest better sleep contributes to improved emotional regulation and cognitive development.
When Extinction Might Not Be Appropriate
Avoid extinction if your baby has reflux, breathing issues, or other medical conditions requiring intervention. Families in apartments or with older children who might be disturbed should consider alternative methods. Parents with trauma histories involving abandonment might find this method too triggering.
Creating Your Bedtime Routine
Regardless of your chosen method, a consistent, predictable bedtime routine is essential for success. Start your routine at the same time nightly, aiming for a bedtime between 6:30-8:00 PM for most babies. Earlier bedtimes often result in better sleep and later morning wake times—counterintuitive but true.
Sample 30-45 Minute Routine
6:30 PM: Begin dimming lights throughout the house, signaling wind-down time. Turn off televisions and electronic devices that emit blue light.
6:45 PM: Bath time with warm (not hot) water. Even if not needed for cleanliness, the temperature drop after bathing triggers sleepiness. Use lavender bath products if your baby tolerates them well.
7:00 PM: Gentle massage with lotion in the nursery with dim lighting. This provides calming touch and one-on-one connection time.
7:10 PM: Put on pajamas and sleep sack while singing the same quiet song nightly. Consistency in song choice creates a powerful sleep cue.
7:15 PM: Final feeding in a chair near (not in) the crib, keeping baby slightly awake. If bottle-feeding, ensure baby doesn’t fall completely asleep on the bottle.
7:25 PM: Read 1-2 short books in a calm voice. Choose the same books nightly during training for maximum predictability.
7:30 PM: Place baby in crib awake but drowsy, say your consistent sleep phrase (“Night night, sleep tight, I love you”), and implement your chosen sleep training method.
Troubleshooting Common Bedtime Routine Issues
If your baby becomes overtired during the routine, shorten it to 20-25 minutes focusing on the most calming elements. Some babies need less stimulation before sleep.
For babies who get second winds during routines, ensure the environment stays dim and boring. Avoid energetic songs, exciting books, or stimulating play during the wind-down period.
Dealing with Night Wakings
Sleep training addresses both bedtime and night wakings. Once your baby masters falling asleep independently at bedtime, night wakings typically resolve within 1-2 weeks. Apply your chosen method consistently to all wakings except scheduled feeds.
Determining Hunger vs. Habit Wakings
Babies under 6 months may still need 1-2 night feeds. True hunger wakings usually occur at consistent times (within 30 minutes) and involve vigorous, sustained eating. Habit wakings happen at variable times with lazy, comfort nursing or brief bottle feeds.
Track feeding times and amounts for several nights. If your baby consistently needs feeding at 2 AM, maintain that feed while sleep training other wakings. Gradually reduce night feed duration/volume once independent sleep is established.
The 5-10-15 Minute Rule
For non-hunger wakings, wait before responding. Under 6 months, wait 5 minutes. 6-9 months, wait 10 minutes. Over 9 months, wait 15 minutes. Many babies return to sleep independently given the opportunity.
If intervention is needed after waiting, use the minimum necessary—patting before picking up, brief holding before feeding. This hierarchy prevents accidentally reinforcing wakings with preferred responses.
Early Morning Wakings
Wakings before 6 AM are considered night wakings. Treat them identically to middle-of-night wakings using your chosen method. Bringing baby to your bed or starting the day reinforces early waking patterns.
If early wakings persist beyond two weeks of consistent training, evaluate the schedule. Bedtime might be too late, naps too long/short, or morning light entering the room. Small schedule adjustments often resolve persistent early waking.
Nap Training Strategies
Nighttime sleep training doesn’t automatically improve naps—daytime sleep involves different biological processes. However, the skills learned at bedtime eventually transfer to naps with consistency and patience.
When to Start Nap Training
Focus on nights first. Once your baby sleeps independently at bedtime for 5-7 nights, begin applying the same method to naps. Trying to train both simultaneously often overwhelms babies and parents.
Start with the first morning nap, typically the easiest to establish. Once successful for 3-4 days, add the afternoon nap. Maintain your method for at least one week before concluding it won’t work for naps.
The Crib Hour Rule
Commit to leaving your baby in the crib for one hour at nap time, regardless of sleep duration. If they sleep 20 minutes and wake, leave them for the remaining 40 minutes (unless genuinely distressed). This teaches that nap time has a defined duration and sometimes results in baby falling back asleep.
After one hour, get your baby up cheerfully even if they didn’t sleep. Avoid making up missed nap sleep with earlier bedtime by more than 30 minutes, which can disrupt nighttime sleep patterns.
Nap Training Modifications
Some babies need modified approaches for naps. The chair method might require staying the entire nap initially. Ferber intervals might need shortening since daytime sleep pressure is lower. Extinction might be too challenging when daytime sounds prevent deep sleep.
Consider motion naps (stroller, car) for the third nap while training the first two. This prevents overtiredness while establishing independent sleep for primary naps. Phase out motion naps once earlier naps stabilize.
Common Sleep Training Challenges
Every family encounters obstacles during sleep training. Understanding common challenges and solutions helps maintain consistency when progress seems stalled.
The Extinction Burst
Days 2-4 often bring increased crying, earlier wakings, or nap refusal—the “extinction burst.” Your baby is protesting the change more vigorously before accepting it. This temporary regression actually signals imminent success. Stay consistent; breakthrough typically occurs by night 5-7.
Document crying duration each night. Despite feeling endless, most parents discover crying decreased overall when reviewing logs. This objective data provides encouragement during difficult moments.
Teething and Sleep Training
Minor teething discomfort shouldn’t derail training, but emerging molars or multiple simultaneous teeth might require a pause. Offer appropriate pain relief 30 minutes before bedtime (consult your pediatrician) and maintain your routine as much as possible.
If you must pause formal training, maintain bedtime routines and independent crib placement even if offering more comfort. This preserves some progress and eases resuming training post-teething.
Illness and Regression
Minor colds don’t require stopping training, though you might offer more comfort. Ear infections, fever, or respiratory issues necessitate pausing and providing needed comfort. Resume training 2-3 days after recovery.
Expect temporary regression after illness, travel, or daylight saving time changes. Consistency brings back good sleep habits within 3-5 nights—faster than initial training. View setbacks as temporary detours, not failures.
Developmental Leaps and Milestones
Major milestones like rolling, crawling, or pulling to stand can temporarily disrupt sleep. Babies practice new skills in cribs, becoming stimulated rather than sleepy. Provide abundant floor time during the day for practice, reducing nighttime rehearsals.
During leap periods, maintain routines and methods while accepting some regression. Progress resumes once new skills consolidate, typically within 1-2 weeks. Patience during developmental disruptions prevents abandoning successful methods prematurely.
Sleep Training Myths Debunked
Misinformation about sleep training creates unnecessary anxiety and confusion. Understanding the facts helps parents make informed decisions based on evidence rather than fear.
Myth: Sleep Training Damages Attachment
Extensive research shows no negative impact on secure attachment from age-appropriate sleep training. Studies actually indicate well-rested babies and parents interact more positively during awake times, strengthening bonds. Sleep training teaches babies that parents reliably return each morning, building trust.
The stress of chronic sleep deprivation poses greater risk to attachment than brief, purposeful sleep training. Exhausted parents struggle with emotional regulation and responsive caregiving that secure attachment requires.
Myth: Babies Will Sleep Through Naturally
While some babies spontaneously develop independent sleep skills, many don’t without guidance. Sleep problems can persist into toddlerhood and beyond without intervention. Teaching sleep skills resembles teaching any life skill—gentle guidance accelerates natural development.
Waiting indefinitely for natural improvement often results in entrenched sleep associations that become harder to change. Earlier intervention (4-6 months) typically involves less crying than addressing established patterns in older babies.
Myth: Crying Causes Brain Damage
No credible research supports this claim for sleep training crying. Studies showing cortisol elevation from prolonged crying involve neglect or chronic stress, not brief, purposeful sleep training with responsive daytime parenting. The stress of chronic sleep deprivation affects developing brains more than controlled sleep training.
Short-term controlled crying differs vastly from neglect. Sleep-trained babies receive abundant love, attention, and responsiveness during awake times. The 10-60 minutes of sleep training crying pales compared to hours of crying from overtired, dysregulated babies.
Myth: Once Trained, Always Trained
Sleep training isn’t a one-time fix. Regressions occur with illness, travel, developmental leaps, and life changes. However, reestablishing good sleep happens quickly with consistency—usually 2-3 nights versus initial training duration.
View sleep training as teaching a skill requiring occasional practice and reinforcement. Like riding a bike, the foundation remains even if rusty periods occur. Consistent bedtime routines and sleep expectations maintain skills between formal training periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my baby vomits during sleep training?
Some babies vomit when crying intensely. If this happens, quickly clean baby and bedding, provide brief comfort, then resume training. Most babies vomit once or twice maximum before learning it doesn’t stop the process. Keep spare sheets and pajamas nearby for quick changes.
If vomiting persists beyond 2-3 incidents or seems unrelated to crying, consult your pediatrician to rule out reflux or illness.
Can I sleep train while room-sharing?
Room-sharing complicates but doesn’t prevent sleep training. Use white noise to mask small movements and sounds. Position the crib away from your bed with a visual barrier (curtain or screen) preventing eye contact. Some families temporarily move baby to their own room for initial training, then return to room-sharing once skills establish.
Consider having the non-primary caregiver sleep elsewhere during intense training nights if one parent struggles more with crying.
Should I sleep train for naps and night simultaneously?
Focus on nighttime first. Biological sleep pressure is highest at night, making success more likely. Once nighttime sleep improves for 5-7 days, apply the same method to naps. Attempting both simultaneously often overwhelms everyone involved.
If naps remain difficult after nighttime success, consider professional consultation. Some babies need different approaches for day versus night sleep.
What if my partner disagrees with sleep training?
Both parents must agree before starting. Discuss concerns openly, reviewing research together. Consider compromising on method choice—perhaps starting with gentler approaches. Attend pediatrician appointments together to discuss sleep training professionally.
If agreement seems impossible, consider professional sleep consultation providing neutral guidance and evidence-based recommendations both parents can accept.
How do I handle night feeds during sleep training?
Maintain necessary night feeds during initial training. If your baby typically feeds at 11 PM and 3 AM, continue offering these feeds for the first week while training all other wakings. Wake your baby for dream feeds if necessary to maintain schedule.
Once independent sleep establishes, gradually reduce feed duration by 1-2 minutes nightly (nursing) or 0.5 ounces (bottle). Most babies naturally drop feeds once falling asleep independently.
Maintaining Healthy Sleep Long-Term
Success extends beyond initial training. Maintaining healthy sleep requires ongoing consistency, schedule adjustments with development, and quick response to regressions.
Schedule Adjustments by Age
4-6 months: 3 naps totaling 3-4 hours, 2-2.5 hours wake windows, 11-12 hours nighttime sleep
6-9 months: 2-3 naps totaling 2.5-3.5 hours, 2.5-3 hours wake windows, 11-12 hours nighttime sleep
9-12 months: 2 naps totaling 2-3 hours, 3-4 hours wake windows, 11-12 hours nighttime sleep
12-18 months: 1-2 naps totaling 2-3 hours, 4-5 hours wake windows, 11-12 hours nighttime sleep
Adjust gradually—extend wake windows by 15 minutes when baby consistently fights sleep or wakes early. Drop naps when baby consistently refuses or nighttime sleep suffers.
Preventing Sleep Regressions
Maintain consistent bedtime routines even during vacations or busy periods. Pack familiar sleep items when traveling—white noise, loveys, sleep sacks. Book accommodations with separate sleep spaces when possible.
Prepare for predictable regressions at 8-10 months (separation anxiety), 12 months (walking), 18 months (independence), and 2 years (nightmares). Maintain expectations while offering appropriate comfort during challenging phases.
Creating Lifelong Healthy Sleep Habits
Model good sleep hygiene yourself. Children learn by observation—prioritizing your own sleep teaches its importance. Maintain consistent family sleep schedules even on weekends, avoiding social jet lag.
As your child grows, involve them in bedtime routine choices (which pajamas, which books) while maintaining non-negotiable elements (brush teeth, lights out time). This balance of autonomy and structure supports long-term sleep success.
Conclusion: Your Family’s Sleep Success
Sleep training represents one of the most valuable gifts you can give your baby—the ability to fall asleep independently and rest peacefully through the night. While the process requires dedication, consistency, and sometimes difficult nights, the result transforms entire families’ wellbeing.
Choose the method aligning with your parenting philosophy and baby’s temperament. Trust your instincts while maintaining consistency in your approach. Remember that temporary crying during sleep training pales compared to months or years of sleep deprivation affecting your entire family’s health and happiness.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself and your baby. Every child learns at their own pace, and setbacks don’t equal failure. With persistence, consistency, and the right approach for your family, peaceful nights await. Your well-rested baby will thank you with happier days, better development, and the energy to explore their expanding world.
Sweet dreams aren’t just possible—they’re probable with the right knowledge, preparation, and commitment to your baby’s sleep education. Tonight could be the beginning of your family’s journey to consistently restful nights and joyful, energetic days.
Final Medical Reminder: This guide provides educational information about sleep training methods. Always consult your pediatrician before beginning any sleep training program, especially if your baby was premature, has medical conditions, or you have specific concerns about their development or wellbeing. Your healthcare provider best understands your baby’s individual needs and can provide personalized recommendations for your situation.