Not sleeping through the night is one of the biggest challenges that all parents face, but you’re not alone! You’re exhausted, you may be struggling to establish a routine, nothing you do seems to be working, and then your friend says their little one is sleeping 11 hours a night, and you’re wondering “What am I doing wrong?”
Rest assured that it’s a myth that once babies hit a certain age, they miraculously start sleeping through the night. Poor sleeping patterns are common at various ages, and every baby develops at their own pace.
From my perspective, as a sleep consultant and a mother, sleep training means different things to different people. When I talk about sleep training, I like to look at all aspects of a child’s life and how we can tweak different areas. The goal is to optimise sleep and sleep associations so that the baby can get the best quality sleep they are capable of considering their age, development, personality, and medical history.
What Is The Best Age to Start Sleep Training a Baby?
There’s no set age or time to start sleep training – it’s more about when it’s the right time to seek support. Here are the most common issues that crop up that generally indicate sleep training or consulting may be beneficial.
1. Frequent night waking
When your little one is waking every 1-2 hours and you’re running on fumes, it’s hard to know what’s “normal” and what’s a sign that tweaking may be required. If your baby is waking frequently throughout the night, there’s no harm in getting additional support.
2. Excessive night feeds
It can get to the point where you’re unsure if they actually need the feeds… Or if it’s become the only way they know to fall back asleep. This is one of the biggest reasons mums reach out for sleep guidance.
3. Overwhelm + decision fatigue
You’ve tried Google, your mothers group, your friend’s advice and a handful of Instagram tips – and now everything feels confusing instead of helpful. You just want clarity around what to do, and when.
4. Catnapping + unpredictable days
When naps are short, chaotic or non-existent, and your baby is unhappy as a result, the whole day unravels and evenings become even harder.
5. Long, stressful bedtimes
Hour-long settles, tears (theirs or yours), endless resettles and the mental load of dreading bedtime every night.
6. Feeling stuck + nothing is changing
You’ve tried “everything” but your baby still sleeps like a newborn at 10 months, and you’re starting to doubt yourself.
7. Returning to work and needing a plan
You’re about to go back to work and want sleep to be more predictable so you can relax knowing they are ok and sleeping well.
8. Separation anxiety or frequent contact settling
Beautiful… but exhausting when you can’t put your baby down or leave the room without everything falling apart.
9. Wanting a gentle approach that aligns with your values
You don’t want harsh methods. You want someone who understands feeding, development, connection and sleep — and helps you find the sweet spot.
10. Low confidence + needing reassurance
Sometimes mums don’t need a full overhaul, they just need someone to look at the full picture and tell them, “You’re not doing anything wrong. Here’s what’s going to help.”
How Long Does Sleep Training Take?
The progress you see from sleep training will depend on your baby’s unique circumstances, such as their development and the sleep training method chosen.
You should start to see improvements within a few days, but remember that all babies adapt differently. This is why we do not have a one-size-fits-all programme, and we can tweak our methods depending on how your baby is responding.
Why Work With Mindful Mum?
With over 25 years as a midwife, sleep consultant, and as a mother myself, I understand that sleep training is about improving sleep by looking holistically at children as a whole person, rather than just focusing on sleep without factoring in their individual needs and development.
With my 3-week Nutrition and Sleep package, I’ll look at your baby’s routine, feeding schedule, and sleep needs to develop a completely personalised plan which will help your baby settle more easily and reduce waking.
From experience, I know that sleep training is not a one-and-done approach. We’ll tweak and improve your plan as we go to give you and your family the rest you need. I’ll also be on hand to support you while you make these changes to improve your overall confidence as a parent.
You can contact me through my contact form, or alternatively call me on 0401 181 468 to learn more about how I can help you and your family.
If you would like more guidance on safe sleeping habits for your baby, Mindful Mum can help you establish a healthy routine that keeps your little one comfortable, safe, and well-rested. Get in touch today to learn more about my sleep consulting services.
Need Support With This?
Every baby and family is different. If you’d like clear, personalised guidance, book a Free Sleep Clarity Call.