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#19 in popularitySince 2012Brief delay before responding

La Pause

Traditional French practice, described by journalist Pamela Druckerman, Bringing Up Bébé

Wait a few minutes before responding at night so baby can try to link sleep cycles alone.

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Starts
Birth
Results in
No set timeline
Crying
Gentle, low-cry
Evidence
Weak

Overview

In Bringing Up Bébé, American journalist Pamela Druckerman described a habit she saw among parents in Paris: la pause. When a baby stirs or fusses at night, parents wait a few minutes before going in, giving them a chance to connect sleep cycles alone. If baby is truly awake, hungry or upset, parents respond fully.

It's a habit more than a method, and the wait isn't standardized. It mirrors the AAP's advice not to rush in at every noise, and it can prevent waking a baby who was only between sleep cycles. It can't replace responding to hunger in young infants.

How it works

  1. When baby stirs or fusses at night, wait a few minutes before going in.
  2. Let baby try to link sleep cycles alone.
  3. Respond fully if baby is truly awake, hungry, or distressed.

Pros

  • Simple
  • Prevents waking a baby who was only between sleep cycles
  • Mirrors AAP's 'don't rush in'

Cons

  • Not a full method
  • Exact wait time isn't standardized
  • Can't replace responding to hunger in young infants

Evidence

Weak. Cultural observation; no trials.

Details

Popularity
#19 of 39 · Moderate (estimated)
Since
2012 (14 years) · Bringing Up Bébé, 2012
When to start
From the first weeks
Day structure
Cue-based routine
Format
Book (parenting memoir)
Good fit for
Parents of young babies who want a simple, low-cry habit to start early.

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