Sleep Training at 4–6 Months
Short Answer:
The 4–6 month window is widely considered the most effective time to begin sleep training because biological sleep rhythms stabilize and babies begin developing the capacity to self-soothe.
Why This Age Window Works Best
Between 4 and 6 months, several critical changes occur simultaneously:
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Circadian rhythm becomes more predictable
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Night sleep consolidates into longer stretches
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The Moro reflex fades
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Feeding becomes less frequent at night
This combination creates the lowest resistance-to-progress ratio of any age window.
(Foundation: When to Start Sleep Training)
What “Ready” Looks Like at 4–6 Months
A baby in this range may still wake at night — readiness is not about sleeping through.
Common readiness signals include:
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Able to stay awake 1.75–2.5 hours between naps
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Falling asleep with some consistency at bedtime
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Reduced need for constant motion or feeding to fall asleep
(Read also: What Is Sleep Training?)
Best Sleep Training Methods for This Age
Not all methods are equally suited to this window.
Most compatible methods:
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Fading / gradual withdrawal
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Pick Up / Put Down
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Gentle Ferber-style intervals
Less compatible:
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Full extinction before 5 months (often too abrupt)
(Compare methods: Sleep Training Methods Explained)
How Long Sleep Training Takes at This Age
At 4–6 months, many families see improvement within:
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3–7 nights for falling asleep
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1–2 weeks for night wakings
Consistency matters more than speed.
(Related: Why Sleep Training Fails)
Common Mistakes at 4–6 Months
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Confusing regressions with readiness failure
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Changing methods mid-week
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Expecting zero crying
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Overextending wake windows
(Read next: Why Sleep Training Stops Working)
Night Feedings: What’s Normal Here
Some babies still need 1–2 night feeds.
Sleep training does not automatically mean night weaning.
Separating these goals prevents unnecessary frustration.
(Deep dive: Night Wakings After Sleep Training)
If Sleep Training Doesn’t Work at This Age
Failure usually signals:
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Schedule misalignment
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Inconsistent responses
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Too much daytime sleep
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Developmental leap
This does not mean the window has closed.
(Read next: Sleep Training at 7–9 Months)
Most Parents Also Struggle With
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4-month sleep regression
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Crying guilt at bedtime
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Balancing feeds and training
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