sleeptraining.org

Sleep training methods, compared

We're parents who've been up at 3 a.m., exhausted and buried in conflicting advice. We read dozens of books and talked with families who've tried these methods, and found them wildly different. So we put them side by side, to help you find the approach that fits your family. Check with your pediatrician before you begin.

Select a row for details, or tick up to three to compare.

39 methods

Summary
1 Ferber MethodRichard Ferber, MD 6 mo 3–7 nights Timed check-ins Strong evidence Put baby down awake, then check in briefly at intervals that get longer each night.
2 Weissbluth MethodMarc Weissbluth, MD 4 mo 3–4 nights Cry it out Moderate–strong evidence Short wake windows and very early bedtimes to prevent overtiredness, with cry-it-out if needed.
3 Moms on CallLaura Hunter & Jennifer Walker Birth 6–8 weeks Timed check-ins Weak evidence Hour-by-hour daily schedules from two pediatric nurses, built on an eat–play–sleep rhythm.
4 The No-Cry Sleep SolutionElizabeth Pantley Birth 1–2 months Gentle, low-cry Weak evidence Gradually replace feeding or rocking to sleep with new sleep cues, without crying.
5 BabywiseGary Ezzo & Robert Bucknam, MDCheck with your pediatrician Birth 7–9 weeks Cry it out Weak evidence Feed on a parent-set schedule in an eat–wake–sleep cycle, aiming for long nights early.
6 The Baby WhispererTracy Hogg 4 mo 1–2 weeks Parent present Weak evidence An E.A.S.Y. routine from birth, then Pick-Up/Put-Down to teach independent sleep from 4 months.
7 The Sleep Lady ShuffleKim West, LCSW-C 6 mo 2–3 weeks Parent present Moderate evidence Sit by the crib, then move your chair a little farther away every three nights.
8 Precious Little SleepAlexis Dubief 2 mo 3 nights–3 weeks Your choice Moderate evidence A practical guide that lets you pick from seven methods, from gentle to cry-it-out.
9 Taking Cara BabiesCara Dumaplin, RN 5 mo 1–2 weeks Timed check-ins Moderate evidence Age-matched online classes from newborn to toddler, with a check-in plan from 5 months.
10 Contented Little BabyGina Ford 1 wk 6–12 weeks Timed check-ins Weak evidence Detailed, clock-based routines for feeds and naps, starting in the first weeks.
11 Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve WeeksSuzy GiordanoCheck with your pediatrician 1 mo 8 weeks Timed check-ins Weak evidence Four daytime feeds on a 4-hour schedule and gradual night weaning, aiming for 12-hour nights by 12 weeks.
12 Huckleberry (SweetSpot)Huckleberry 4 mo 1–6 weeks Your choice Weak evidence A sleep-tracking app that predicts the best nap times and builds a personalized plan.
13 Smart-Monitor CoachingNanit & OwletCheck with your pediatrician 4 mo 7+ nights Your choice Weak evidence Camera or sock monitors that pair overnight sleep data with app-based coaching.
14 Attachment ParentingWilliam & Martha SearsOpposes sleep trainingCheck with your pediatrician Birth No set timeline No training Weak evidence Respond to every waking and share nighttime care; independent sleep comes with time.
15 The Sleepeasy SolutionJennifer Waldburger & Jill Spivack 4 mo 1 week Timed check-ins Moderate evidence Timed check-ins at increasing intervals, with a short script of what to say at each visit.
16 Sleep SenseDana Obleman 4 mo 1–2 weeks Timed check-ins or Parent present Weak evidence An online program that lets parents choose between staying in the room and timed check-ins.
17 RIE ApproachMagda GerberOpposes sleep training Birth No set timeline No training Weak evidence Observe before stepping in, and give baby room to settle on their own from birth.
18 Little Z's SleepBecca Campbell 4 mo 2–3 weeks Timed check-ins Weak evidence Affordable age-based online programs with several training methods to choose from.
19 La PausePamela Druckerman Birth No set timeline Gentle, low-cry Weak evidence Wait a few minutes before responding at night so baby can try to link sleep cycles alone.
20 Sleeping Through the NightJodi Mindell, PhD 4 mo 1 week Cry it out Strong evidence A research-grounded guide: a consistent routine first, then extinction or checking.
21 It's Never Too Late to Sleep TrainCraig Canapari, MD 6 mo 1–3 weeks Your choice Strong evidence A sleep physician's low-stress two-step plan: fix bedtime cues, then change how you respond.
22 Save Our SleepTizzie Hall Birth No set timeline Timed check-ins Weak evidence Strict age-based feeding and sleep routines from birth, widely read in Australia.
23 The Gentle Sleep BookSarah Ockwell-Smith Birth No set timeline Gentle, low-cry Weak evidence Understand normal infant sleep, then fade your help slowly, without crying.
24 The Baby Sleep SiteNicole Johnson 4 mo 3 nights–2 weeks Your choice Weak evidence Free articles plus paid custom plans across a spectrum from no-cry to cry-it-out.
25 Batelle Sleep SchoolDamian Kimmelman & “Miss Megan” 4 mo 2 weeks Parent present Weak evidence A paid remote coaching program with live chat support through a gradual settling method.
26 Sleep: The Brazelton WayT. Berry Brazelton, MD & Joshua Sparrow, MD 3 mo No set timeline Gentle, low-cry Moderate evidence A developmental approach: put baby down awake from 3–4 months and expect predictable regressions.
27 The 90-Minute Sleep ProgramPolly Moore, PhD Birth No set timeline Gentle, low-cry Weak evidence Put baby down for a nap about 90 minutes after they wake, following natural alertness cycles.
28 Sleep Separation TechniqueJo Frost 6 mo 1–2 weeks Parent present Weak evidence Sit silently by the crib, lay baby back down with a set phrase, and move away each night.
29 Sleeping Like a BabyPinky McKay Birth No set timeline Gentle, low-cry Weak evidence Read tired cues and settle baby responsively, with gentle routines and no timed crying.
30 Possums Sleep ProgramPamela Douglas, MDOpposes sleep training Birth No set timeline No training Moderate evidence Follow baby's sleep pressure, enrich their days, and put parents' wellbeing first, without training.
31 Early Extinction (Tribeca)Michel Cohen, MDCheck with your pediatrician 2 mo 3–4 nights Cry it out Weak evidence Full cry-it-out started at about 2 months, far earlier than most experts advise.
32 Responsive SettlingTresillian & Karitane 6 mo No set timeline Parent present Moderate evidence Hands-on patting and shushing in the cot, with touch reduced gradually, from Australian nurse services.
33 Controlled Comforting & Camping OutHarriet Hiscock, MD 6 mo 3 nights–3 weeks Timed check-ins or Parent present Strong evidence Two trial-tested options: brief check-ins at growing intervals, or a gradual chair fade.
34 Bedtime FadingMichael Gradisar, PhD 6 mo 1–3 weeks Gentle, low-cry Moderate evidence Temporarily move bedtime later, then earlier in small steps, with little to no crying.
35 BreastsleepingJames McKenna, PhDOpposes sleep trainingCheck with your pediatrician Birth No set timeline No training Moderate evidence Nursing plus close proximity as the biological norm, with safety criteria for bed-sharing.
36 Hand in Hand (Staylistening)Patty WipflerOpposes sleep training Birth No set timeline No training Weak evidence Stay close and warm while baby cries before sleep, without trying to stop the crying.
37 Aware ParentingAletha Solter, PhDOpposes sleep training Birth No set timeline No training Weak evidence Meet physical needs, then hold baby close while they cry instead of shushing them.
38 Holistic Sleep CoachingLyndsey Hookway, PhD, RNOpposes sleep training Birth No set timeline No training Moderate evidence A responsive, whole-family alternative to sleep training, delivered by trained practitioners.
39 Scheduled AwakeningsVaughn I. Rickert & C. Merle Johnson 6 mo 8 weeks Gentle, low-cry Moderate evidence Wake and soothe baby just before their usual waking times, then fade the wake-ups out.

# is estimated US popularity from book sales, online discussion and name recognition. Evidence: strong means randomized trials; weak means expert opinion only.