Now, don't run off on me. I know the term "extinction bursts" seems really clinical and cold, but don't worry: we're going to go over exactly what this term means, why it can derail even the best sleep training, and how you (the sleep-deprived parent) can deal. Extinction Bursts: What They Are The concept of extinction bursts isn't just related to sleep training; it's actually a psychological concept that extends to all kinds of behaviors. To understand this concept, we first have to define