Feeling Unsure About Sleep Training? Here's What to Do If You're Not Ready Yet

Carina Adler
Apr 21
3 min read

If you're hesitant about sleep training, you're not alone—and you’re definitely not doing anything wrong. It's completely normal to have doubts, fears, or confusion about whether it's the right time or the right approach for your family.

Maybe you’ve heard mixed messages from the internet, friends, or even your pediatrician. Maybe you’re worried about how your little one will react—or how you’ll feel during the process. If you're feeling unsure about sleep training, you have two solid options: talk it out or wait it out. Let's explore both.

Option 1: Talk It Out With a Sleep Consultant Who Gets It

Sometimes the best way to move past fear is to talk it out with someone who understands baby sleep and all the emotions wrapped up in it. That’s exactly what I’m here for.

Many parents I work with come to me feeling torn—part of them wants better sleep so badly, but another part is filled with hesitation. They're unsure if sleep training will work, or if it will be too hard emotionally. They’re not sure what method is best, or if they’re going to mess it up. Sound familiar?

Here’s how we can work through those fears together:

Name your worries – Are you afraid of your baby crying? Of “doing it wrong”? Of judgment from others?
Understand the truth – Sleep training doesn’t mean ignoring your child. There are supportive, responsive methods that allow you to stay connected while making progress. Sleep training is also not going to cause long term damage to your baby’s development, relationships, or attachment. I’m happy to talk more about this – ask me more and read more here.
Process the big emotions – You’re not “failing” because this feels hard. You're human—and you're doing your best on very little sleep.
Create a plan that works for your family – There’s no one-size-fits-all sleep solution. We’ll build a plan that matches your parenting style, your child’s temperament, and your comfort level.

You might be surprised—once we talk through everything, you may feel more ready than you thought. And if not? That’s perfectly okay too.

Option 2: Wait Until You’re Ready (and Build a Strong Sleep Foundation in the Meantime)

If you’re feeling strong resistance to sleep training or know you won’t be able to stick with a plan consistently, waiting may actually be the smartest choice.

Here’s why: Consistency is key to successful sleep training. Starting before you're mentally or emotionally ready can lead to frustration for everyone—and may make things even harder in the long run.

But “waiting” doesn’t mean doing nothing. Here’s what you can focus on now:

Create a calming sleep environment – Think dark room, white noise, cool temperature. Read more about setting the right environment here.
Adjust the sleep schedule – Sometimes, just tweaking the nap or bedtime schedule can improve night sleep. Read why and how here.
Establish a predictable bedtime routine – A few simple, soothing steps (bath, book, cuddle) can signal to your baby that sleep is coming.

This way, when you are ready, you’ve already laid the groundwork—and you can move forward with confidence.

You’ll Know When It’s Time

Whether you need to talk through your sleep training fears or take a little more time, remember: this isn’t an emergency. It’s a decision—and it’s okay to wait until it feels right.

When you're ready to move forward, I’ll be here to help guide you every step of the way. Until then, keep trusting yourself, keep taking care of your family, and remember—better sleep is possible (even if it takes a little longer to get there).