Uncover the Magic of the Pick Up, Put Down Method of Sleep Training

As your baby begins to consolidate longer periods of sleep, you may find yourself considering sleep training, also known as sleep teaching. One method to explore is the pick-up, put-down technique, involving gentle visits to your baby’s crib until she settles down.

Continue reading to learn when to initiate this sleep training method and discover the step-by-step process to guide your little one into a more settled nighttime routine.

Understanding the Pick Up, Put Down Method

The pick up, put down sleep training method is quite straightforward. Originating from Tracy Hogg’s book, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, this method involves placing your baby in her crib and, if she fusses, going to her room to comfort her, then returning her to the crib when calm. This process is repeated as necessary until your baby settles down and falls asleep.

Considered one of the gentler sleep training approaches, many parents appreciate it for teaching babies to self-soothe without the sense of abandonment that can come with letting them cry alone in their cribs.

As for timing, it’s important to note that babies typically don’t establish regular sleep cycles until around 6 months of age. However, sleep training can commence between 4 and 6 months, when many infants can sleep through the night for up to eight hours without requiring feeding. Consult with your child’s pediatrician to determine the optimal time to begin sleep training.

How can I successfully use the pick up, put down method of sleep training?

Success with the pick up, put down method often relies on persistence and patience, as mastering this approach can take time. The same technique can be applied for naptime – simply follow the steps as you would for nighttime.

Here’s a guide to becoming a pick up, put down pro, whether it’s day or night:

1. Stick to Your Bedtime Routine:
   • Maintain the consistent tuck-in schedule you’ve established for your baby, incorporating elements like a final feeding, a bath, books, and a lullaby.
2. Place Her Down Drowsy but Awake:
   • After a final cuddle, gently place your baby in the crib while she’s drowsy but still awake, encouraging her to learn to fall asleep independently.
3. Allow Her to Settle:
   • If she remains quiet, leave the room. If fussing begins, wait a moment before re-entering. Sometimes, babies may cry briefly and then settle on their own.
4. Pick Her Up for Soothing:
   • If she becomes very upset, pick her up to provide comfort for a minute or so.
5. Put Her Down and Exit:
   • Once she’s calm, place her back in the crib and leave the room.
6. Repeat as Needed:
   • Begin the process again, listening for crying, waiting to see if she’ll settle, and then picking her up and putting her down as necessary. Continue until she falls asleep.”

Does the Pick Up, Put Down Method Work?

Absolutely, with consistent practice and patience, this approach has the potential to teach your baby the bedtime routine. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that the process can be demanding. Being constantly on standby and committing several weeks or even longer to this method can be draining. The tears involved in this type of sleep training may pose a challenge for some parents. Additionally, certain babies might become overstimulated by the repetitive interaction of the pick up, put down method, making it difficult for them to settle down and sleep.

If you have a specific timeframe for completing sleep training, such as a return to work deadline, be aware that this method may require more time compared to some alternatives.

Is the Pick Up, Put Down Method the Best Method of Sleep Training?

If you’re in search of the best sleep training method, the answer is straightforward: It’s the one that you dedicate enough time and consistency to and that feels suitable for your baby and your family.

Given the individuality of infants and their varying sleep needs, success with the pick-up, put-down method, or any method for that matter, is not guaranteed in every case.

If you find that the pick-up, put-down approach isn’t yielding the desired results, there are alternative sleep training paths to consider, including:

1. Cry it out: Allowing your baby to cry without comfort or check-ins until she falls asleep, only intervening if she needs a feeding overnight.
2. Ferber method: A check-and-console approach involving timed intervals that gradually lengthen, developed by Dr. Richard Ferber.
3. Chair method: Sitting in a chair near the crib until your baby falls asleep, without picking her up, and gradually moving farther away each night until you’re out of the room.
4. Bedtime fading: Changing your baby’s sleep rhythm by incrementally pushing back bedtime in 15-minute intervals until you reach the optimal tuck-in hour.

While sleep training may initially seem challenging for your baby, both infants and parents can benefit from methods like pick up, put down. With dedication, your little one will soon find her way to a peaceful dreamland all on her own.