Sleep Training at 4 Months: Why It Might Be the Perfect Time

If you're reading this, you're likely exhausted. Your baby is 4 months old, but sleep still feels unpredictable short naps, frequent night wakings, and the constant rocking or feeding just to get them down. You’re asking: “Is now the right time to sleep train?”

As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, I can tell you  for many families, 4 months is a sweet spot to begin sleep training. By this age, your baby has outgrown the chaos of the newborn stage, but hasn't yet developed strong habits that are harder to change.

Let’s walk through what makes this age ideal and how to approach sleep training in a way that works for your baby and your parenting style.

Why 4 Months Is Often a Great Time

At 4 months, your baby is likely:

• Settling into a more predictable daytime rhythm
  
  
• Sleeping longer stretches at night (with fewer night feeds)
  
  
• Capable of learning how to fall asleep independently
  
  
• Past the 3-month regression (or just coming out of it)
  
  

They’re developmentally ready  and so are you.

This doesn’t mean crying-it-out or harsh methods. Sleep training at 4 months can be gentle, responsive, and effective.

What Sleep Struggles Are Common at 4 Months?

Here’s what I often hear from families:

• “My baby wakes up every 2 hours at night.”
  
  
• “She catnaps for 20 minutes and is cranky all day.”
  
  
• “He needs to be rocked or fed to sleep every time.”
  
  
• “Bedtime is a battle  and we’re both overtired.”  

Most of these are signs that your baby hasn’t yet learned the skill of self-settling  and sleep training can gently teach them how.

What Should Sleep Look Like at This Age?

Here’s a general rhythm I aim for at 5 months:

• 3 naps during the day
  
  
• 2–2.5 hour wake windows
  
  
• 1–2 night feeds, depending on weight gain and feeding type
  
  
• 7:00–7:30 PM bedtime anchored by a calming routine
  
  

If your baby is gaining weight well, stretching longer between feeds, and showing signs of sleep association dependence  you’re in a good place to start.

My Approach to Sleep Training at 4 Months

I always tailor sleep support based on the baby’s temperament and family preferences. At 5 months, gentle and responsive methods work beautifully:

• Chair Method (great for gradual separation)
  
  
• Leave & Check (structured but responsive)
  
  

The key is consistency and a plan that respects your baby's readiness.

A Note from Me

This is actually the age I began sleep training my daughter  and within a few nights, we were all sleeping better. As a sleep consultant, I’ve seen the same transformation happen for countless families through my 1:1 Baby Sleep Program.

You don’t need to wait until things get worse. With the right timing, support, and structure 

your baby can learn to sleep well, and so can you.

Ready to Get Started?

You don’t have to figure this out alone.
If you're ready to gently guide your baby toward independent sleep, I can help.

👉Newborn Sleep training Program designed to meet your baby where they are, with expert guidance every step of the way.

Because better sleep isn’t a milestone. It’s a skill and it’s one your baby can learn, even at 4 months.

Look at the Reviews