Is sleep training likely to help or harm your baby?

Welcoming a baby is a joy, but it can also be challenging to get a baby to sleep through the night. Parents often turn to sleep strategies, previously known as sleep training, to help their baby learn to settle themselves to sleep without adult assistance. While some worry sleep strategies might harm their baby, evidence shows they can help both babies and parents sleep better without causing harm.

Sleep strategies are best suited for babies aged 6 months or older, as they can meet their nutritional needs during the day. A good bedtime routine is essential for success with any strategy, as it helps babies understand that settling time is approaching. The checking method, also called controlled crying or controlled comforting, involves parents putting their drowsy baby into their sleep space, leaving them to self-settle, and returning at increasing intervals to comfort them.

Another strategy is camping out, where a parent sits next to the baby's sleep space for a few nights before gradually moving away. Research involving 328 Australian babies indicates that sleep strategies are safe and effective, with no evidence of harm to children or their parent-child relationships. Mothers in the intervention group reported fewer baby sleep problems and better mental health than the usual care group at 10 and 12 months.

No group differences were found at 2 and 5 years. Sleep strategies can work, and parents should consult their doctor if needed for more intensive support.