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#31 in popularitySince 2004Full extinction, started early

Early Extinction (Tribeca)

Michel Cohen, MD, The New Basics; founder of Tribeca Pediatrics

Full cry-it-out started at about 2 months, far earlier than most experts advise.

Find the book
Starts
2 moProgram from 1 mo
Results in
3–4 nights
Crying
Cry it out
Evidence
Weak

Check with your pediatrician. Most experts don't recommend sleep training before 4 to 6 months, and young babies still need night feeds. Talk with your pediatrician first.

Overview

Pediatrician Michel Cohen, author of The New Basics and founder of the Tribeca Pediatrics practice, recommends starting full extinction at about 2 months. The idea is raised at the 1-month checkup. At about 8 weeks, parents put baby down after the bedtime routine and don't intervene if they cry.

Cohen argues it works better at 2 months than at 4 because the baby is less used to being soothed to sleep. It's fast, but far earlier than the 4 to 6 months most experts suggest. Night feeding needs at 8 weeks are real, and there's little research at this age.

How it works

  1. Discuss at the 1-month checkup.
  2. At ~2 months, put baby down after bedtime routine.
  3. Don't intervene when baby cries after bedtime.
  4. Cohen argues it works better at 2 months than 4 because baby is less used to soothing.

Pros

  • Fast
  • Avoids ingrained sleep associations

Cons

  • Far earlier than most experts' 4–6 months
  • Night feeding needs at 8 weeks are real
  • Little research at this age

Evidence

Weak. Weak for this age — the Wall Street Journal notes it's little researched.

Details

Popularity
#31 of 39 · Low (estimated)
Since
2004 (22 years) · The New Basics, 2004
When to start
Discussed at the 1-month visit, attempted at ~2 months (8 weeks)
Day structure
Cue-based routine
Format
Book + pediatric practice policy
Good fit for
Only with your pediatrician's guidance; most families wait until at least 4 months.

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