Where to begin 6 guides
- How long should sleep training take?
- Is sleep training safe? How the AAP safe-sleep rules shape a sleep plan
- When is the best age to sleep train?
- How to sleep train a baby: a step-by-step guide
- How to get your baby to sleep through the night
- Is sleep training effective? A plain look at the research
Ways to sleep train, explained 10 guides
- The Ferber method explained: how it works and whether it works
- Cry it out (extinction): what it involves, and whether it is safe
- The chair method of sleep training: how it works and where it stalls
- The pick-up-put-down method: does it actually work?
- What is the gentlest sleep training method? A side-by-side comparison
- Bedtime fading explained: how it works and when it helps
- Sleep training while breastfeeding: can you do both?
- Sleep training in a shared room: is it possible?
- When sleep training isn’t working: causes and what to do next
- How quickly does sleep training work? Results reported by 129 families
Age-by-age sleep schedules 15 guides
- Wake windows by age: what’s the right range?
- Dropping naps: how to handle the 3-to-2 and 2-to-1 transitions
- What does a realistic newborn sleep schedule look like (0–8 weeks)?
- 2 month old sleep schedule: what a good day and night look like
- 3 month old sleep schedule: naps, wake windows and bedtime
- 4 month old sleep schedule: what does a good day look like?
- 5 month old sleep schedule: what works well?
- A sleep schedule that works for a 6 month old
- What sleep schedule works for a 7 month old?
- What sleep schedule suits an 8 month old?
- 9 month old sleep schedule: what does a good day look like?
- 10 and 11 month old sleep schedule: naps, wake windows and bedtime
- 12 month old sleep schedule: what does a good day look like?
- 18 month old sleep schedule: what works well?
- What sleep schedule works for a 2 year old?
What normal sleep looks like at each age 19 guides
- Newborn sleep, weeks 0 to 4: what’s typical, what’s tough, and when to call the pediatrician
- Sleep at 1 month: what’s typical, what’s tough, and when to get help
- Your 2 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to call the pediatrician
- Sleep at 3 months: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when to reach out
- 4 month old sleep: what to expect, common struggles and when to get help
- 5 month old sleep: what’s normal, what’s hard, and when to see the pediatrician
- Your 6 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to get help
- Your 7 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to ask for help
- Sleep at 8 months: what’s typical, what’s tough, and when to call the doctor
- Sleep at 9 months: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when to reach out
- Sleep at 10 months: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when to reach out
- Baby sleep at 11 months: what is normal, what is tricky, and when to call the pediatrician
- Sleep at 12 months: what’s normal around the first birthday, and when should you get help?
- 15 month old sleep: what to expect, common struggles and when to get help
- 18 month old sleep: what’s normal, what’s hard, and when to get help
- Your 21 month old’s sleep: what is normal, what is hard, and when to ask for help
- Sleep at 2 years: what’s typical, what’s tough, and when to get help
- Toddler sleep at 2½ years: what is normal, what is tricky, and when to get help
- Sleep at 3 years: what’s normal, what’s tough, and when should you get help?
Everyday sleep struggles and fixes 50 guides
- My 6 month old wakes every 2 hours. Why, and what fixes it?
- Is it possible to sleep train a baby who has reflux?
- Ending contact naps: how to move your baby to crib naps
- Feeding to sleep: how to break the association
- Baby waking at 5 a.m.? The causes and how to fix them
- Baby only napping 30 minutes? Why it happens and how to get longer naps
- Toddler keeps getting out of bed? How to fix it
- Sleep training twins: how does it work?
- Night weaning: when to start and how to do it
- Dream feed: does it actually help a baby sleep longer?
- Pacifiers and sleep: is it helping my baby or getting in the way?
- Transitioning out of the swaddle: when to stop and how
- Baby waking 30–45 minutes after bedtime? Here is why
- Why is my baby wide awake for hours in the middle of the night?
- Baby will only sleep on you, not in the crib or bassinet: what can you do?
- Overtired baby fighting sleep? Here is what is going on
- Sleep training with daycare: how to handle the naps
- Baby sleep on the road: travel, hotels and time zones
- Daylight saving time and baby sleep: how to handle the clock change
- Baby sleep fell apart after an illness: how do you get back on track?
- Separation anxiety at bedtime: how should I handle it?
- Crib to toddler bed: when is the right time to switch?
- How long should my baby room share with us?
- Is it safe to bed-share with my baby?
- Crib bumpers and mesh bumpers: are they safe?
- Weighted sleep sacks and weighted swaddles: are they safe for babies?
- Baby loungers, inclined sleepers and sleep positioners: are any of them safe for sleep?
- Does my baby need a monitor, and where does the AAP stand on wearable oxygen monitors?
- My baby will only sleep in the car seat, swing or stroller. Is that a problem?
- Baby rolls onto their tummy while sleeping: do you need to flip them back?
- Baby standing up in the crib and can’t get back down: what to do
- Crawling, walking and baby sleep: why nights got worse
- White noise machines for babies: safety and the right volume
- Dressing your baby for sleep: layers, overheating and TOG ratings
- Blanket, pillow or stuffed animal: when can a baby sleep with one?
- Humidifier in the baby’s room: do you need one?
- Blackout curtains and night lights: what does a baby need, and which colour?
- Screen time before bed and toddler sleep: what to know
- Bedtime routine for babies and toddlers: what to include and when to start
- Toddler bedtime stalling: how to end the “one more book, drink or hug” routine
- Toddler afraid of the dark? How to help them feel safe at bedtime
- Nightmares vs night terrors: how can you tell, and what should you do?
- Toddler sleepwalking: is it dangerous, and should I wake them?
- Head banging and rocking at bedtime: why does my baby do it?
- Will solid food help my baby sleep through the night?
- My toddler is giving up their nap. What is quiet time, and how do I start it?
- New baby on the way: how to protect your toddler’s sleep
- Baby and toddler sharing a room: can it work, and how?
- Moving house with a baby or toddler: how to protect their sleep
- Going back to work: how to get your baby’s sleep ready
Sleep regressions 5 guides
- 4 month sleep regression vs. a lasting sleep problem: how to tell
- My 12 month old has started waking at night. Why?
- The 8–10 month sleep regression: why your baby is suddenly waking at night
- The 18 month sleep regression: is it real, and how do you handle it?
- The 2 year old sleep regression: is it real?
Medicines and safety, reviewed by a pharmacist 21 guides
- Melatonin for babies and toddlers: is it safe?
- Teething medicine and baby sleep: does it actually help?
- Over-the-counter medicines and a baby’s sleep: which ones matter?
- Reflux medication and baby sleep: when does it help?
- Can my caffeine affect how my breastfed baby sleeps?
- Breastfeeding and medications: which could affect my baby’s sleep?
- How infant sleep cycles and the circadian rhythm develop
- Sleep training a premature baby or NICU graduate
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for baby and toddler sleep: does it work, and is it safe?
- Magnesium for toddler sleep: is it safe, and does it work?
- Gripe water and baby sleep: does it actually help?
- Natural and homeopathic baby sleep drops and teething tablets: are they safe?
- Could low iron (ferritin) be behind my toddler’s restless sleep?
- Melatonin for a flight or jet lag: is it safe for a baby or toddler?
- Cough and cold medicine at bedtime for a baby or toddler: is it OK?
- Vitamin D drops, probiotics and baby sleep: is there a link?
- Allergy medicine and toddler sleep: what parents should know
- Essential oils, lavender and sleep sprays: are they safe for babies?
- Do asthma or ADHD medicines change how a young child sleeps?
- My toddler snores and mouth-breathes at night. When is it time to see the pediatrician?
- Baby extra sleepy or fussy after vaccines: is that normal?
Deciding on outside help 15 guides
- Is hiring a baby sleep consultant the right move?
- Does my baby need a sleep consultant or a pediatric sleep specialist?
- Is hiring a baby sleep consultant worth it?
- What a baby sleep consultant really does, step by step
- Choosing a baby sleep consultant: what should I ask before hiring?
- Sleep course, app or 1:1 sleep consultant: which suits your family?
- Baby sleep consultant red flags: what to watch for before you hire
- Do baby sleep consultants rely on cry it out?
- When should I hire a baby sleep consultant?
- Sleep consultant for a toddler: can one still help, or is it too late?
- Sleep-training guarantee: what should the wording actually say?
- Online vs. in-person sleep coaching: does remote work as well?
- Baby sleep consultant credentials: what to look for
- Sleep consultant timeline: how soon will you see results?
- Night nurse, postpartum doula or sleep consultant: how do they differ?
The worries parents bring to us first 30 guides
- Will Actually Sleeping work for my particular baby?
- Already tried sleep training? How is Actually Sleeping any different?
- Does Actually Sleeping sound too good to be true?
- Is the free consultation really just a sales pitch?
- Is Actually Sleeping worth the investment?
- What if my husband isn’t on board with sleep training? Other families share their story
- Afraid you will cave and give up halfway through?
- Baby still feeding at night? Actually Sleeping can still help
- Do you have to stop nursing for Actually Sleeping to work?
- Is your baby too young to start with Actually Sleeping?
- Is it too late to sleep train a toddler? What families found with Actually Sleeping
- Baby with reflux? How Actually Sleeping can still help
- Will my baby simply grow out of night waking?
- Not a good time for sleep training right now? Should you wait?
- Is Actually Sleeping a cry it out program?
- Worried sleep training with Actually Sleeping will hurt your bond?
- Does needing help with my baby’s sleep make me a bad mom?
- Stuck co-sleeping and not sure how to stop? How Actually Sleeping helps
- Can’t I just figure out baby sleep myself? Why families hire Actually Sleeping
- My baby is simply a bad sleeper. Can Actually Sleeping still help?
- How long until Actually Sleeping works?
- Do the results from Actually Sleeping last?
- Does Actually Sleeping cover naps as well?
- Worried you will be doing sleep training alone? How Actually Sleeping supports you
- Sleep training solo: can I do it when I’m alone at night?
- Will sleep training keep the whole house up?
- Does sleep training still work when daycare, babysitters or grandparents are involved?
- Can Actually Sleeping work with our crazy schedule?
- More than one child? How Actually Sleeping helps the whole family sleep
- Exhausted but getting by: do families like ours really use Actually Sleeping?
Reference pages and calculators 4 guides
- Baby and toddler sleep statistics: the research, figure by figure
- Baby sleep glossary: 40 common terms explained simply
- Wake window calculator: naps and awake times by age
- Bedtime calculator by age: when should my baby or toddler go to bed?
Ready to solve this for your own baby?
With Actually Sleeping you get 1:1 coaching: Dr. Sam writes a sleep plan for your specific baby, we coach you bootcamp-style before Night 1, and we check in daily until it is working. We have coached 700+ families, collected 129 video reviews, and put our guarantee in writing: 8–12 hours through the night within 14 days, or a full refund.
Common questions
Who writes the baby sleep guides?
Every guide is written or reviewed by Dr. Samantha Abrahamson, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist, and cites its sources.
Where should I start?
Start with how to sleep train a baby, the best age to sleep train, and wake windows by age. If you are worried about a specific situation, the 'what parents worried about first' section answers 30 common concerns.
Are the medication guides dosing advice?
No. The medication and safety guides explain how common medicines, supplements and caffeine can affect infant sleep, with references, but they do not give doses. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist about any medicine.