Sleep Training (From No Cry to Cry) Series – Part 3

Sleep Training Series, Part 3: The Fading Method

In this sleep training series, so far I’ve talked about the importance of a bedtime routine and gone over how you can sleep train while co-sleeping. In part 3 of this series, I will be discussing the “fading” method of sleep training.

Fading, The Method

This method I would consider one of the no-cry (or very little cry) methods. As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, when you change the rules how baby falls asleep (usually by breaking a sleep association), it is usually not done without some form of protest. Your baby is sleepy and wants to be sleeping and you aren’t doing what you’ve always done! He or she might get a little mad here! How would you feel if you had to learn to sleep without your pillow? But, with practice, time and commitment we can all learn a new way to sleep.

With this method, you help your baby fall asleep, but you set up “rules” as to how you will slowly take yourself out of the equation. If you think about how you have done most of the work up until this point, now you will develop rules to follow that will shift the “work” to your baby/child. If you have always rocked baby all the way to sleep, you might rock him/her less time and put him in the crib drowsy, but awake and let him/her try to fall asleep on his/her own. If he/she gets worked up, you try to quiet and soothe them using other methods until he/she is asleep. Each night, you do less and less “work” and your baby should do more of it.

Fading: How Long Will It Take?

As you can see, this method can take a lot of time and patience on your part. And, depending on the temperament of the child, it might be very difficult to follow it through until the end. But, if you do not want to allow your child to cry alone and you also don’t want to continue the path you’re on now, it’s a great first step! After all, how do you know whether it will work or not if you don’t try it? The amount of time this method will take will be directly related to your ability to be CONSISTENT and your child’s temperament and personality (how strong-willed is he/she and will he/she “outlast” you?). It is imperative that you remain consistent because if you falter 1 hour in, for example, then it will only be that much harder next time. I highly recommend writing down the plan you hope to follow such that you can refer to it and really stick to it 100%.

Get Personalized Help With Fading Sleep Associations

Fading out sleep associations with persistent babies can be challenging. Our consultants at The Baby Sleep Site® are experts! When you work with one of our sleep consultants, she will create a Personalized Sleep Plans® for your family that includes detailed guidance on how to sleep train. Even better, once you have your Personalized Sleep Plan®, your consultant will walk you through each step of implementing it at home.

Browse our list of consultation package options here.

Sleep Resources That WORK

bss_ebook_3stepsystem_leftFor those persistent nighttime struggles, check out The 3 Step System to Help Your Baby Sleep. Using the same unique approach and practical tools for success, this e-book helps you and your baby sleep through the night.

bss_ebook_masteringnaps_leftIf you’re looking for ways to get your baby or toddler into a healthy sleeping routine during the day, I encourage you to explore Mastering Naps and Schedules, a comprehensive guide to napping routines, nap transitions, and all the other important “how-tos” of good baby sleep. With over 45 sample sleep schedules and planning worksheets, Mastering Naps and Schedules is a hands-on tool ideal for any parenting style.

bss_email_featprod_memberspic-CROPPEDOr, join our Members Area packed with exclusive content and resources: e-Books, assessments, detailed case studies, expert advice, peer support, and more. It actually costs less to join than buying products separately! As a member, you’ll also enjoy a weekly chat with an expert sleep consultant.

Continue to Part 4 of this series.

Does the fading method sound like a good method for you? Have you tried fading yet? Share your questions and tips with us!

The Baby Sleep Site® is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other product affiliate programs. If you click on a product link and make a purchase, The Baby Sleep Site® may (but not always) receive a small commission from the company selling the product, but will not affect your purchase price. We only recommend products that we believe are quality products and are good for our readers.

Holistic Sleep Solutions from The Baby Sleep Site®

e-Book bundles

Do-It-Yourself: Just getting started with your research but you want to stop Googling? Choose from any of our e-Book bundles for practical advice you can put to use TODAY!  

Become a VIP Member

Do-It-Mostly-Yourself: Would you like to continue learning with the option of chatting with a sleep consultant? We have a perfect solution! Become a VIP Member for access to all of our premium content, “ask the author,” audio courses, live weekly chat, and more!

Get a Personalized Sleep Plan

Work With a Sleep Expert: Tap into over a decade of experience with thousands of families before you! Get a Personalized Sleep Plan® just for your unique situation, get guidance and answers to all your “what if?” questions while you work through your plan, and benefit from expert support along the way. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard “I wish I had done this sooner!” Not sure? Read these stories from well-rested parents.

Don’t lose another wink of sleep — GET STARTED TODAY with our gentler, kinder approach to healthy sleep!

Since starting in 2008, we’ve gained over 10,000 comments on our blog!

At this time, we’ve turned the comment sections off. We would, of course, love to hear from you! For help with your specific sleep problems, please learn more about our DIY resources or our sleep consultation services. Or, consider emailing us for a fast and helpful response!

6 thoughts on “Sleep Training (From No Cry to Cry) Series – Part 3”

  1. Shannon,

    First of, you are a trooper congrats. I did it only for about three months only b/c my son decided to reject my breast perhaps due to the introduction of formula to combine or I have no clue. In any case I pump and it works too.

    Based on what I read on “Healthy sleeping Habits Happy child” they have two options:

    1. Attempt a full feeding (I think it means make sure the baby doesn’t fall asleep while feeding and gets its full meal and that both breast are ‘mostly emptied’).
    2. Pump and have your husband or someone else feed the baby so you get much deserved rest. Not sure how much she is eating but either ask your Pediatrician how much to give her in the bottle.
    I would read up on it from a reliable site or definitely ask your pediatrician.

    Good Luck.

    No ST ~ What method do you recommend instead of the “maybe-Cry” or CIO for a strong temperament infant like mine based on your experience?
    It brakes my heart to hear him cry AT ALL, let alone for hours. My husband wants him to learn to self sooth and sleep once you put him on the crib, or when he wakes up in the middle of the night “sometimes”. Mostly thinking of me b/c he likes me to swing him or rock him to go back to sleep.
    How do as an experience nanny train/help them to sleep/nap on their own w/o these methods. Once you rock them to sleep they will always expect the same. Yes, it is my duty as a parent but I tired parent = useless parent/wife/worker etc..
    Thanks

  2. Shannon,

    First of, you are a trooper congrats. I did it only for about three months only b/c my son decided to reject my breast perhaps due to the introduction of formula to combine or I have no clue. In any case I pump and it works too.

    Based on what I read on “Healthy sleeping Habits Happy child” they have two options:

    1. Attempt a full feeding (I think it means make sure the baby doesn’t fall asleep while feeding and gets its full meal and that both breast are ‘mostly emptied’).
    2. Pump and have your husband or someone else feed the baby so you get much deserved rest. Not sure how much she is eating but either ask your Pediatrician how much to give her in the bottle.
    I would read up on it from a reliable site or definitely ask your pediatrician.

    Good Luck.

    No ST ~ What method do you recommend instead of the “maybe-Cry” or CIO for a strong temperament infant like mine based on your experience?
    It brakes my heart to hear him cry AT ALL and my husband wants him to learn to self sooth and sleep once you put him on the crib, or when he wakes up in the middle of the night “sometimes”.
    How do as an experience nanny train him to sleep/nap on their own w/o these methods.

  3. I am a professional nanny. Babies whose parents have paid the big bucks to sleep consultants and “tried” (unsucsessfully) sleep training have by far the most anxiety ridden, unhappy, freaked out babies. It breaks my heart to follow the directions of sleep training and it goes against my natural instincts which have been quite successful for 35 years of childcare. This “quick fix cure” seems to create neurotic babies/ parents. I think its a racket.

  4. My baby has always insisted on being nursed to sleep, but she’s now 11 months old! I think we’re both overdue for some good sleep. She still wakes up several times a night to nurse. How do I go about breaking this sleep association? And get her to sleep in her crib. Putting her on a bedtime routine is helping but I have no idea how to put her to bed without nursing her.

Comments are closed.

FREE Guide: Five Ways To Help Your Child Sleep Through the Night

Join over 450,000 parents around the world & sign up today to receive the guide and our Baby Sleep Newsletter absolutely FREE!