This is part of our sleep training hub — the place to start if you're weighing the best sleep training methods for your baby. Below, each major method is broken down by age range, typical timeline, pros and cons, and the temperament it suits best.
Ferber Method (Graduated Extinction)
The Ferber Method involves letting your baby cry for set intervals before offering comfort, gradually increasing the time between checks. Suitable for babies 5-6 months and older, it often shows results in 3-7 days. Pros include relatively fast results and teaching self-soothing. Cons are that it can be emotionally challenging for parents. It suits babies who are adaptable and parents who can handle some crying.
Cry-It-Out (Extinction)
Cry-it-out, or extinction, allows your baby to cry until they fall asleep without checks. It's appropriate for babies 6 months and older. This method often yields quick results, sometimes within 3-5 days. Pros include speed and effectiveness, while cons include emotional difficulty for parents and potential distress for very sensitive babies. It suits self-soothing babies and resolute parents.
Chair Method
The chair method involves sitting next to your baby's crib, gradually moving further away each night until you are out of the room. It can be used from 6 months onward. This method is slower, often taking 1-2 weeks. Pros include being gentler and allowing parental presence, but it can be challenging to maintain consistency and patience. It suits babies who need physical reassurance and parents who prefer a gradual approach.
Pick-Up-Put-Down
In this method, you pick up your baby to soothe them whenever they cry, then put them back down awake. Suitable for babies 4 months and older, it can take 2-3 weeks to see results. Pros are that it's gentle and responsive, while cons include being time-intensive and requiring patience. It suits sensitive babies and parents who prefer minimal crying.
Fading
Fading involves gradually reducing your intervention in your baby's sleep routine. You might start by rocking your baby to sleep, then slowly wean them off. It's suitable for babies from 4-5 months. This method can take several weeks to months. Pros include a gentle transition and minimal crying, but it requires consistent effort. It suits babies who are not highly resistant to change and parents who prefer a gradual method.
No-Cry Approaches
No-cry approaches focus on creating a calming sleep environment and routines without letting your baby cry. Suitable from birth, these methods can take several months. Pros include being gentle and fostering a strong parent-child bond, while cons are that it requires a lot of patience and time. It suits very sensitive babies and parents who are committed and patient.
Quick Tips
- ✓ Try the chair method tonight by sitting next to the crib until your baby falls asleep.
- ✓ Begin fading by slightly reducing how long you rock your baby before placing them in the crib.
Track your baby's schedule with Nestling — download free on the App Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sleep training method for a 6-month-old?
By 6 months most babies are developmentally ready for any of the common methods. Ferber (graduated extinction) and full extinction (cry-it-out) both tend to work for 6-month-olds and often show results in a few days, while gentler approaches like the chair method or pick-up-put-down suit families who prefer more presence and less crying but take longer. The best method is the one you can apply consistently — pick based on your baby's temperament and how much crying you're comfortable with.
What is the difference between Ferber and cry it out?
Ferber is graduated extinction: you let your baby fuss for set, gradually lengthening intervals and check in briefly between them. Cry-it-out (full extinction) skips the checks — your baby settles without intervention. Both teach self-soothing; Ferber adds reassuring check-ins, which some parents find easier, while full extinction is often slightly faster.
What is the gentlest sleep training method?
No-cry approaches and fading are the gentlest — they minimize crying by slowly reducing your involvement (for example, gradually rocking less before putting your baby down) and leaning on a calm environment and consistent routine. They're suitable from a young age and bond-friendly, but they take the longest and require the most patience and consistency.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding your child's health or development.