Sleep Training: Why We Recommend it as a Last Resort
Written by:
Amanda Snedden
Specialist in Pediatric Sleep Patterns
Reviewed by:
Nicky Barker
Pediatric Sleep Science Expert
Parents often feel pressure to try sleep training when their baby isn’t sleeping well. Friends recommend sleep training, online forums debate sleep training methods, and it can sometimes feel like the only solution when your baby wakes frequently at night.
But is sleep training always necessary?
In many cases, the answer is no.
While sleep training can work for some families, many babies improve their sleep naturally once the underlying causes of their sleep struggles are addressed. Factors like sleep schedules, sleep associations, overtiredness, feeding patterns and sleep environment often play a much bigger role in sleep than parents realise.
For this reason, we consider sleep training a last resort, rather than the first step when sleep becomes challenging.
Sleep can feel overwhelming in the early months, but with the right support and understanding, many families find that better sleep comes naturally over time.
In This Article:
- Should you sleep train naps or bedtime first?
- Is sleep training necessary?
- The relationship between naps and night sleep
- Sleep training and controlled crying methods
- What to try before sleep training
- Is sleep training worth it?
- Why sleep training doesn't always work
- Is sleep training bad for babies?
- Gentle ways to help babies learn to self settle
- Common sleep training methods
- Key takeaways on sleep training
- FAQs on sleep training
Should You Sleep Train Naps or Bedtime First?
Parents who decide to try sleep training often wonder whether they should start with naps or bedtime first.
At Little Ones, we have a saying - "you don't fix broken sleep at 2am". We always recommend starting with daytime naps. In fact, helping families get naps right is one of the primary focuses of our company. We don't first push sleeping through the night, because there are a dozen factors that have to line up for that to happen in the first place and the biggest one of these is getting naps on track. Quite simply, if a baby's naps aren't spot on, sleep training is going to be much trickier and a lot more stressful than necessary. Night sleep is built during the day.
Our Smart Sleep App provides you with age-appropriate nap timings and sleep guidance that evolve as your baby grows, helping you get naps on track before even looking closely at nights. Many babies start sleeping better overnight simply because their naps are structured to support good night sleep.
We especially recommend starting with the first nap of the day. Sleep pressure is often quite strong by that point, which can make it a good opportunity for babies to practise settling in their sleep space.
Another reason we suggest beginning during the day is that it can be easier for parents to manage. If sleep is a little unsettled while your baby is learning new sleep habits, it can feel far less overwhelming to work through this during the daytime rather than in the middle of the night when everyone is already exhausted.
Once babies begin settling more easily for naps, bedtime and overnight often becomes much smoother as well, since they are already familiar with falling asleep in their sleep space.
Is Sleep Training Necessary?
One of the most common questions parents ask is whether sleep training is necessary for babies to learn to sleep well.
The short answer is no. Many babies develop healthy sleep habits without formal sleep training.
Baby sleep changes rapidly during the first year as sleep cycles mature and circadian rhythms develop. During this time it is very normal for sleep to feel unpredictable.
Often, what looks like a sleep problem is actually caused by something simpler, such as:
• overtiredness from long wake windows
• undertiredness from too much daytime sleep
• inconsistent nap schedules
• sleep associations
• hunger overnight
• developmental changes
Addressing these factors can dramatically improve sleep without needing to implement formal sleep training methods.
Many parents find that once the foundations of sleep are right, their baby naturally begins sleeping longer stretches. Our sleep programs focus on building those foundations gently and flexibly - watching cues, protecting wake windows, nurturing connection.
You just want better sleep for everyone - longer stretches, calmer bedtimes, happier days.Our award-winning Sleep Programs will solve your baby's sleep challenges in no time. They deliver gentle, science-backed strategies that actually work for your family - more restful nights without harsh methods.
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The Relationship Between Naps and Night Sleep
Daytime sleep and night sleep are closely connected. Although they are controlled by slightly different processes in your baby’s brain, they still influence each other strongly.
If a baby becomes very overtired during the day, they often have a restless or unsettled night. This can create a cycle where poor night sleep leads to overtiredness the next day, which then causes poor naps and another difficult night.
On the other hand, if a baby has too much daytime sleep, or naps too late in the afternoon, they may not be tired enough to sleep well overnight.
Finding the right balance of daytime sleep is therefore one of the most important foundations of healthy night sleep.
It can also be surprisingly difficult to know how much sleep your baby actually needs during the day, because sleep needs change rapidly in the first year of life. A nap routine that worked perfectly a few weeks ago may no longer meet your baby’s needs.
This is where many parents find the our Baby Sleep App helpful. The app provides evolving, age-appropriate nap schedules that adapt as your baby grows, helping to support both better naps and better night sleep.
Sleep Training and Controlled Crying Methods
Now imagine your baby is waking frequently overnight and you are exhausted. You seek advice and are told that the solution is to sleep train your baby at night so they learn to sleep through.
So you try it.
You may use Ferber, controlled crying, check-in methods, pick-up-put-down, or another sleep training approach. You are told that some crying is unavoidable, so you push through it even though it is difficult.
But what if the real problem was never a settling issue in the first place?
What if your baby was simply:
• overtired
• undertired
• getting too much daytime sleep
• napping too late in the day
If no one has looked at your baby’s naps first, sleep training may feel extremely difficult or ineffective. Your baby may cry not because they are refusing to settle, but because they are not physiologically ready for sleep.
In some cases babies are simply not tired enough to fall back asleep. In others they may be so overtired that stress hormones like cortisol make it much harder for them to settle.
This is why we believe sleep training should never be approached in isolation from daytime sleep.
Before assuming your baby needs sleep training, it is important to first look at the bigger picture of their sleep across the entire day.
What to Try Before Sleep Training
Before considering sleep training, it can be helpful to review the basic elements of your baby’s sleep.
Check your baby’s sleep schedule
Many sleep challenges occur when wake windows are not appropriate for a baby’s age. If a baby becomes overtired, they may struggle to settle and wake more frequently overnight.
Many parents simply aren't sure how much sleep their baby actually needs at different ages.
Balancing day sleep is tricky because it’s never just about “how much day sleep" - it’s about helping your baby to be ready for night sleep without tipping into overtiredness or undertiredness. We never believe in strict rules that ignore your little one’s cues or your family’s reality. Instead, our sleep programs offer gentle, flexible guidance - age-appropriate structures, adaptive schedules in the app and kind ways to adjust when things shift - so daytime rest supports connection, play and peaceful nights.
Support healthy naps
Daytime sleep plays a major role in nighttime sleep. Ensuring your baby is getting the right balance of naps during the day can significantly improve nighttime sleep.
Create a consistent bedtime routine
Babies thrive on predictability. A simple bedtime routine such as bath, feed, book and bed can help signal that it is time to sleep.
Optimise the sleep environment
A dark room, consistent white noise and a comfortable sleep space can help babies settle more easily and stay asleep longer.
If you're unsure where to start, many parents use the our Baby Sleep App to follow step by step sleep schedules and settling guidance designed by paediatric sleep experts. Having a clear daily plan can make it much easier to support healthy sleep habits without needing traditional sleep training methods.
Is Sleep Training Worth It?
Some parents wonder whether sleep training is worth it.
For some families, structured sleep training methods can help babies learn independent sleep skills. However, it is not always the most effective or necessary approach.
Sleep training may be helpful in situations where:
• strong sleep associations have developed
• night waking has become habitual in older babies
• parents are experiencing severe sleep deprivation
However, many sleep issues improve when babies have:
• an age appropriate sleep schedule
• balanced daytime naps
• a predictable bedtime routine
• a calm sleep environment
When these foundations are in place, babies often begin sleeping longer stretches naturally.
Why Sleep Training Doesn't Always Work
Sleep training can sometimes appear to “fail” because it does not address the real cause of a baby’s sleep struggles. Sometimes sleep training doesn’t work because the underlying sleep schedule or nap balance is not right.
For example, if a baby is:
• overtired at bedtime
• undertired and not ready for sleep
• hungry overnight
• experiencing a developmental leap or sleep regression
Sleep training alone will not solve the problem.
Instead, it can lead to frustration for parents who feel they are doing everything correctly but are not seeing results.
Understanding the underlying causes of sleep disruption is often far more effective than jumping straight into sleep training.
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Our award-winning Sleep Programs take the guesswork out of baby and toddler sleep. Have support and guidance in your pocket, every step of the way.
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Is Sleep Training Bad for Babies?
Sleep training itself is not harmful when done appropriately, but it is not always necessary for babies to learn healthy sleep habits.
Many sleep challenges are linked to things like overtiredness, inconsistent nap schedules or environmental factors rather than a baby’s ability to self settle.
When these underlying causes are addressed, many babies naturally begin sleeping longer stretches without formal sleep training.
Every family is different and the most important thing is choosing an approach that supports both your baby’s sleep and your family’s well-being.
Gentle Ways to Help Babies Learn to Self Settle
Teaching babies to settle themselves to sleep does not always require formal sleep training.
Many babies gradually develop independent sleep skills with gentle support, including:
• consistent bedtime routines
• predictable sleep schedules
• opportunities to settle independently
• gradual reduction of parental assistance
Over time, these small changes can help babies feel confident falling asleep on their own. There are alternatives to cry-it-out methods.
Common Sleep Training Methods
When people talk about sleep training, they are usually referring to a range of different approaches designed to help babies learn to fall asleep independently.
Some of the most commonly discussed sleep training methods include:
Cry It Out (Extinction)
This approach involves putting your baby down awake and allowing them to fall asleep without intervention.
Controlled Crying (Ferber Method)
Parents check in on their baby at increasing intervals while allowing them to practise falling asleep independently.
Chair Method
Parents remain in the room while gradually reducing their involvement over time.
Gentle settling approaches
These include techniques such as patting, shushing, or gradually reducing support at bedtime.
While these methods can work for some families, they are not always necessary. Many babies improve their sleep once their schedules, routines and sleep environment are optimised.
For example, techniques like patting a baby to sleep, or responsive settling can often help babies learn to sleep without formal sleep training methods.
Key Takeaways on Sleep Training
Sleep training can be a useful tool for some families, but it is rarely the only solution to sleep challenges.
In many cases, sleep difficulties are linked to sleep schedules, developmental changes or environmental factors that can be adjusted first.
If your baby’s sleep is feeling confusing or unpredictable, you’re not alone. Many parents find that having a clear sleep plan makes a huge difference.
Our Baby Sleep App provides expert-designed sleep schedules, settling guidance and personalised support to help your baby sleep better, often without the need for formal sleep training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sleep training necessary for babies?
No. Many babies develop healthy sleep habits naturally as their sleep cycles mature and their daily sleep schedule becomes more consistent.
Should you sleep train naps or bedtime first?
At Little Ones we often recommend starting with daytime naps, especially the first nap of the day when sleep pressure is higher and parents are better able to manage any sleep disruptions.
Is sleep training bad for babies?
Sleep training itself is not harmful when done appropriately, but many babies can learn healthy sleep habits without formal sleep training when their sleep schedule and routines are well established.
Bibliography
This article draws on current research in infant sleep development, behavioural sleep interventions and paediatric sleep science. The studies below explore how babies’ sleep patterns develop in the first year of life, the effectiveness of behavioural sleep strategies, and the factors that influence night waking and settling. Together, this body of research helps inform evidence-based approaches to supporting healthy infant sleep.
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Gradisar, M., Jackson, K., Spurrier, N. J., Gibson, J., Whitham, J., Williams, A. S., Dolby, R., & Kennaway, D. J. (2016) Behavioral interventions for infant sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 137(6).
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Sadeh, A., Tikotzky, L., & Scher, A. (2010) Parenting and infant sleep. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 14(2), 89–96.
Tham, E. K. H., Schneider, N., & Broekman, B. F. P. (2017) Infant sleep and its relation with cognition and growth: A narrative review. Nature and Science of Sleep, 9, 135–149.
Hall, W. A., Hutton, E., & Brant, R. F. (2015) A randomized controlled trial of an intervention for infants’ behavioral sleep problems. BMC Pediatrics, 15, 181.
Blunden, S., Thompson, K., & Dawson, D. (2011) Behavioural sleep treatments and night time crying in infants: Challenging the status quo. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 15(5), 327–334.
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