Sleep Training explained: Helping your baby (and you) sleep better
What is sleep training?
Whether you’ve heard of sleep training before or it’s a brand-new concept, you’re in the right place. If you’re here, you’re probably navigating some sleep challenges with your little one and you’re not alone.
Babies are not born knowing how to fall asleep on their own. In the newborn stage they often need a lot of support to settle, whether that is rocking, feeding, cuddling. Some babies naturally sleep well, while others struggle and prefer to only sleep when held.
In the 4 month sleep regression, your baby’s sleep biology changes and their sleep patterns begin to mature. At this stage, they are able to start settling themselves to sleep, but that doesn’t mean that they will. This is where sleep training can help.
Sleep training helps your baby learn how to fall asleep (and stay asleep) independently. It’s not about ignoring your baby’s needs, it’s about teaching healthy sleep habits.
Sleep training methods
Sleep training doesn’t have to mean cry it out. There are a range of approaches from gentle and responsive, to more structured methods. Terms like “gentle,” “gradual,” or “responsive” are often used in sleep training, but they can mean different things depending on the consultant. That’s why it’s important to understand the approach behind the words.
The methods I use start at the gentlest end of the spectrum. You’ll be right there with your child, offering comfort and reassurance, to support them with their sleep. You can keep as many feeds as you feel comfortable with and we’ll move at a pace that suits you and your child.
If your baby needs a feed, a nappy change or is in pain, then you will respond. You are not putting your baby to bed and walking away until morning. We want to build their trust and confidence in sleep.
Tailoring the plan
Some aspects of sleep, like creating a calm sleep environment or following age-appropriate wake windows, tend to apply to most babies. But when it comes to sleep training, there’s no single approach that works for everyone.
While some families find success with more structured or downloadable plans, others benefit from a tailored, hands-on approach and this is where my 1:1 support comes in.
I create personalised sleep plans that take into account:
Your current situation
Your baby’s temperament
Your family’s routine
Your feeding preferences or needs
Your parenting style and comfort level
Your baby’s responses to change
Your goal
We want to build a plan that feels manageable and is aligned with your needs so you can make progress without feeling overwhelmed.
What sleep training can do
✅ Help your baby learn to fall asleep independently.
✅ Improve sleep for the whole family.
✅ Build consistent, predictable routines.
✅ Support your baby’s developmental and emotional well-being.
Final thoughts
Every baby is different, and every family’s needs are unique. Sleep training is not about perfection, it’s about progress. If you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or just exhausted, know that support is available, and you don’t have to do this alone.
If you’re ready to explore sleep training or just want to talk through your options, I’d love to help. Book a free sleep assessment call here.