Quick Answer: Sleep training an infant teaches them to fall asleep independently. Most methods are safe to start between 4 and 6 months, when infants can physiologically sleep longer stretches. The most evidence-supported methods are graduated extinction (Ferber) and bedtime fading. The sleep environment -- firm crib mattress, safe bedding -- matters as much as the method.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 12 minutes
What Is Infant Sleep Training?
Sleep training an infant refers to teaching a baby to fall asleep on their own, without needing feeding, rocking, or other parental intervention every time they wake. It does not mean ignoring your baby's needs -- it means helping them develop the ability to settle themselves, which benefits both the infant and the parents over time.
Healthy sleep is essential for infant brain development. Research consistently shows that adequate, consolidated sleep in the first year of life supports cognitive development, emotional regulation, and physical growth. When an infant cannot self-settle, every normal sleep cycle transition -- which happens every 45-90 minutes -- becomes a wake event that requires parental intervention. Sleep training aims to reduce those interventions by teaching the skill of self-settling.
What Research Says About Infant Sleep Training
A landmark 2016 randomised controlled trial published in Pediatrics (Price et al.) found that infants who underwent sleep training -- specifically graduated extinction and bedtime fading -- showed no adverse outcomes at 5-year follow-up. Sleep training did not affect emotional health, behaviour, cortisol levels, attachment, or cognitive development compared to controls. This is the most comprehensive long-term safety study of sleep training to date.
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When Is the Right Age to Start Sleep Training?
Most paediatric sleep specialists recommend beginning sleep training no earlier than 4 months, and typically between 4 and 6 months of age. This is when several developmental milestones align:
- The sleep-wake cycle has matured enough to allow longer sleep consolidation
- Infants no longer need night feeds purely for caloric reasons (though many still do for comfort)
- Object permanence has not yet fully developed, which means out-of-sight does not yet equal abandoned in the infant's perception
- The infant can self-soothe with a pacifier or thumb
| Age | Total Sleep | Night Stretch | Sleep Training Readiness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 months | 14-17 hours | 2-4 hours | Not appropriate -- frequent feeding needed |
| 2-4 months | 12-16 hours | 4-6 hours | Too early for most methods; focus on routines |
| 4-6 months | 12-15 hours | 6-8 hours | Many methods appropriate -- developmental window opens |
| 6-12 months | 12-15 hours | 8-12 hours | All standard methods appropriate |
| 12+ months | 11-14 hours | 10-12 hours | All methods appropriate; toddler-adapted approaches helpful |
Starting sleep training before 4 months is not recommended because newborns have a genuine physiological need for frequent feeding. Letting a newborn "cry it out" is inappropriate -- they are not crying to manipulate; they are crying to communicate a real need.
Sleep Training Methods: Pros, Cons, and What Suits Your Family
There is no single method that works for every family. The "best" sleep training approach is the one parents can apply consistently, that suits their temperament and their infant's needs. Here are the most commonly used evidence-based methods.
Extinction (Full "Cry It Out")
The infant is placed in the crib awake and parents do not return until morning (or a predetermined time), regardless of crying. This method typically produces the fastest results -- many infants adapt within 3-5 nights. It is the most studied method in the research literature.
The primary barrier is parental distress. Many parents find this method difficult to sustain emotionally, which undermines consistency. If the method is started and then abandoned mid-process, it can inadvertently reinforce crying by teaching the infant that persistent crying eventually brings a response.
Graduated Extinction (Ferber Method)
Parents place the infant in the crib awake and return to briefly check in at increasing intervals (e.g., 3 minutes, then 5, then 10), offering brief verbal reassurance without picking the infant up. The intervals increase over successive nights. This is the most widely recommended method by paediatric sleep specialists.
The check-ins give parents an active role and reduce anxiety. Research shows similar efficacy to full extinction with better parental compliance rates.
Fading / Bedtime Fading
Rather than requiring the infant to cry, the bedtime is temporarily moved later to align with the infant's natural sleep pressure -- the window when they are biologically ready to sleep. Once the infant is falling asleep quickly at the later time, bedtime is gradually shifted earlier in 15-minute increments until the target bedtime is reached. This method involves little to no crying.
Bedtime fading takes longer than extinction methods but is preferred by parents who find any crying distressing.
Chair Method (Sleep Lady Shuffle)
A parent sits in a chair next to the crib while the infant settles, providing presence without active soothing. Every few days, the chair moves progressively further from the crib -- toward the door and eventually out of the room. This is the gentlest form of structured sleep training but typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Pick Up / Put Down
Used primarily for younger infants (3-6 months), this method involves picking the infant up when they cry, settling them to calm (not sleep), and then replacing them in the crib. This is repeated as many times as needed. It is time-intensive and works better for younger infants before the arms-up cue becomes stimulating rather than settling.
| Method | Typical Age | Time to Results | Crying Involved | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Extinction | 5+ months | 3-5 nights | Yes (unsupported) | Parents who need fast results |
| Graduated Extinction (Ferber) | 4-6+ months | 5-7 nights | Yes (with check-ins) | Most families -- widely recommended |
| Bedtime Fading | 4+ months | 2-3 weeks | Minimal | Parents who cannot tolerate crying |
| Chair Method | 6+ months | 2-4 weeks | Minimal | Families who want gradual transition |
| Pick Up / Put Down | 3-6 months | 1-3 weeks | Minimal | Younger infants; patient parents |
Safe Sleep Environment: The Foundation of Sleep Training
No sleep training method will work if the sleep environment itself is not safe and conducive to infant sleep. Before beginning any sleep training, set up the sleeping space properly.
Health Canada Safe Sleep Guidelines
- Always place infants on their back to sleep -- for every sleep, every time
- Use a firm, flat surface -- a crib or bassinet that meets Canadian safety standards (CCPSA)
- No soft bedding -- no pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, or stuffed animals in the sleep space
- No bed sharing -- always use a separate sleep surface for infants under 12 months
- Offer a pacifier at sleep time -- associated with reduced SIDS risk (once breastfeeding is established)
- Room share without bed sharing for at least the first 6 months, ideally 12 months
- Keep the room at a comfortable temperature -- 18-20 degrees Celsius; avoid overheating
The Crib Mattress Matters
The sleep surface under your infant is genuinely important for both safety and sleep quality. A crib mattress must be firm -- soft surfaces increase the risk of positional asphyxia, particularly before infants can lift and turn their heads. Standard crib mattress dimensions in Canada are 27¼ inches by 51⅝ inches (69 x 131 cm). The mattress should fit snugly with no more than two finger-widths of gap between the mattress edge and crib frame.
At Mattress Miracle, we carry crib mattresses and can advise on infant sleep surfaces. A well-constructed, firm crib mattress is not a luxury -- it is a safety item.
Practical Tips for Successful Sleep Training
Before You Begin
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine first -- bath, feed, song, crib. The routine signals sleep is coming. Start this 2 weeks before formal sleep training.
- Watch for sleepy cues -- rubbing eyes, yawning, reduced activity. Put the infant down before they become overtired; overtired infants are harder to settle.
- Separate feeding from falling asleep -- feed at the start of the bedtime routine, not the very end. Infants who fall asleep while feeding associate nursing or bottle with sleep onset and need it to return to sleep.
- Make the room dark -- blackout curtains help. Melatonin production is light-sensitive even in infants.
- Use white noise -- a consistent sound machine can mask household noise that disrupts light sleep cycles.
- Choose a week with no major disruptions -- travel, illness, or teething all complicate training. Pick a stable week to begin.
- Both caregivers need to be aligned -- inconsistency between parents or caregivers is the most common reason sleep training fails.
A Note for Brantford Families
We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997 -- that includes three and sometimes four generations of the same families coming back. New parents often come in asking about crib mattresses and infant sleep, and we try to give honest, practical guidance rather than just selling a product. A firm crib mattress is the foundation of safe infant sleep. If you are unsure what to look for, we are happy to walk you through it at our West Street showroom.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
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Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Is sleep training an infant safe?
Yes, when done at the appropriate age (typically 4-6 months and older) and with appropriate methods, sleep training is safe. A 2016 randomised controlled trial published in Pediatrics that followed children for five years found no differences in emotional health, behaviour, attachment, or cortisol levels between sleep-trained infants and controls. Always consult your paediatrician before beginning sleep training.
What is the best sleep training method for infants?
There is no single best method -- the right approach depends on your temperament and your infant's. Graduated extinction (Ferber) is the most widely recommended by paediatric sleep specialists because it balances effectiveness with parental engagement. Bedtime fading is preferred by families who cannot tolerate any crying. Whatever method you choose, consistency is the key factor in success.
How long does sleep training take?
Most infants show significant improvement within 3-7 nights with extinction-based methods, and within 2-4 weeks with gentler approaches like bedtime fading or the chair method. Consistency is the primary variable -- families who apply the method inconsistently typically take longer and experience more distress. Occasional setbacks from illness or travel are normal and do not mean starting over.
Can I sleep train an infant who is breastfed?
Yes. Breastfed infants can be sleep trained just as effectively as formula-fed infants. The key adjustment is timing: feed early in the bedtime routine rather than as the final step, so the infant does not fall asleep at the breast. This breaks the association between nursing and sleep onset. Night weaning (reducing or eliminating overnight feeds) can happen simultaneously with sleep training or separately.
Does the crib mattress matter for sleep training?
Yes. A firm, properly sized crib mattress is the foundation of safe infant sleep. Health Canada guidelines require infants to sleep on a firm, flat surface. A mattress that is too soft is a suffocation risk. At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, we can help you choose a crib mattress that meets Canadian safety standards and supports healthy infant sleep. Stop by our showroom at 441½ West Street.
Sources
- Price, A.M.H., Wake, M., Ukoumunne, O.C., & Hiscock, H. (2012). Five-year follow-up of harms and benefits of behavioral infant sleep intervention: Randomized trial. Pediatrics, 130(4), 643-651. doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-3467
- Mindell, J.A., Kuhn, B., Lewin, D.S., Meltzer, L.J., & Sadeh, A. (2006). Behavioral treatment of bedtime problems and night wakings in infants and young children. Sleep, 29(10), 1263-1276. doi.org/10.1093/sleep/29.10.1263
- Gradisar, M., Jackson, K., Spurrier, N.J., et al. (2016). Behavioral interventions for infant sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 137(6), e20151486. doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-1486
- Canadian Paediatric Society. (2019). Healthy sleep for your baby and child. Caring for Kids. Canadian Paediatric Society, Ottawa.
- Health Canada. (2021). Safe sleep for your baby. Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa. Retrieved from canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infant-care/safe-sleep.html
- Hirshkowitz, M., et al. (2015). National Sleep Foundation's sleep time duration recommendations: Methodology and results summary. Sleep Health, 1(1), 40-43. doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010
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Related Reading
- How to Sleep Train Infants: Step-by-Step Guide
- When Do Infants Sleep Through the Night?
- Crib Bed Size: Standard Dimensions and Safety Guide
- Common Childhood Sleep Problems and How to Help
- Baby and Kids Sleep Products at Mattress Miracle
- Canada Toddler Sleep Training Tips: Evidence-Based Methods and Crib-to-Bed Guide (2026)
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Mattress Miracle -- 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON -- (519) 770-0001
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If you are setting up a safe sleep environment for your infant, come in and let us help you choose a firm, properly sized crib mattress -- the foundation everything else rests on.