When to start sleep training

Sleeping four month old baby lying on their back

How do you know if your baby or toddler is ready for sleep training, and what does support look like at each stage?

One of the most common questions parents ask is when sleep training should begin. If you’re wondering whether your little one is too young, too old, or whether now is the right time, you’re not alone.

There isn’t one “perfect age” that suits every child.

Readiness depends on development, sleep needs, and whether your current sleep patterns feel sustainable for your family.

Understanding what sleep typically looks like at different stages can help you decide when extra support might be helpful, and what approach makes the most sense right now.

Is there a minimum age for sleep training?

Formal sleep training is generally recommended from around four months of age, but we prefer to wait until around five months once sleep cycles have matured and babies are developmentally capable of managing longer stretches of sleep.

Before this age, frequent waking, feeding overnight, and short naps are biologically normal.

In most cases, babies under five months benefit more from education, routine support, and realistic expectations rather than structured sleep training.

This is explored further in what is sleep training, which breaks down what sleep training does and does not involve.

What if my baby is under 5 months?

If your baby is younger than five months, sleep support usually focuses on:

  • Understanding normal sleep development

  • Establishing a predictable day structure

  • Supporting appropriate sleep pressure

  • Creating a safe and sleep-conducive environment

At this stage, sleep challenges are often linked to immature sleep cycles, feeding needs, or day sleep structure rather than a need for sleep training.

Many families at this age are also navigating the 4 month sleep regression, which reflects a permanent neurological shift in sleep rather than a readiness issue.

Signs your baby may be ready for sleep training

Readiness for sleep training is not about your baby sleeping perfectly. It is about whether current sleep patterns are working for your family.

Some common signs families begin considering sleep training include:

  • Frequent night waking that is not improving with routine adjustments

  • Short naps that persist beyond what is developmentally expected

  • Difficulty settling at bedtime or after overnight wakes

  • Sleep patterns that feel exhausting or unsustainable

If your baby is waking often overnight, exploring why is my baby waking frequently alongside readiness can help clarify what support is needed.

What age do most families start sleep training?

Many families begin sleep training between five and eight months, when routines are more established and sleep pressure is better regulated.

This stage often overlaps with:

Sleep training at this age is often focused on consistency, routines, and adjusting how sleep support is offered.

Sleep training after 8 months

Sleep training can absolutely begin later in infancy and toddlerhood, but the approach often looks different.

From eight months onward, sleep is increasingly influenced by:

At this stage, sleep training often involves both routine structure and emotional reassurance, rather than simply adjusting sleep timing.

Many families exploring sleep training at this age are also navigating stages like the 8–10 month sleep regression or 12 month sleep regression.

Is there such a thing as starting too late?

There is no age at which sleep training is “too late”. Toddlers and older children can still be supported toward more settled sleep.

However, sleep training with toddlers often involves:

  • Clear routines and boundaries

  • Managing bed time battles

  • Supporting emotional development

  • Responding consistently to overnight

This is why toddler sleep support differs significantly from infant sleep support.

Should sleep training wait until regressions pass?

Sleep regressions often prompt families to seek help, but waiting for regressions to fully resolve is not always necessary.

Many regressions reflect:

  • Developments

  • Changing sleep needs

  • Nap transitions

With the right guidance, sleep training can be adjusted to account for these stages rather than delayed indefinitely.

What matters more than age

Age alone does not determine readiness. What matters most is:

  • Your child's developmental stage

  • Whether routines are age appropriate

  • How sleep is impacting your family

  • Whether you feel confident knowing what to adjust

If sleep feels confusing or constantly changing, that uncertainty often signals that guidance would be helpful.

Courses that support sleep training at different stages

If you’re unsure where to start, these programs are designed to support sleep training readiness and ongoing sleep support:

  • 5–24 Month Infant Course – age-specific guidance through routines, regressions, nap transitions, and overnight sleep from infancy into toddlerhood

  • Infant and Toddler Bundle – long-term support covering both infant and toddler sleep, offering continuity as sleep needs change

  • 2–4 Course – tailored guidance for toddler sleep, including routines, fears, parasomnias, bedtime resistance, and boundary setting

Each course is designed to evolve with your child rather than offer a one-off solution.

There is no perfect time

The best time to start sleep training is when:

  • Your child is developmentally ready

  • Sleep no longer feels sustainable

  • You want clearer guidance and consistency

Sleep training is not about forcing change. It is about choosing support when you need it.

Looking ahead

Sleep will continue to shift as your child grows.

Understanding when to introduce support, and how that support should change over time, can make sleep feel far less overwhelming.

With the right guidance, you don’t have to second-guess every stage.

The Smarter Way to Invest in Better Sleep

Supporting sleep doesn’t have to mean starting over every time something changes.


Our sleep courses are built to support you long term, with age specific guidance that adapts as your child grows. From early routines and regressions to nap transitions and toddler sleep challenges, you’ll have a clear plan and ongoing support so you can respond with confidence at every stage.

Infant

5-24 Months

Toddler

2-4 Years

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