How I Trained My Baby to Fall Asleep Independently in 48 Hours

I couldn’t take the endless rocking anymore. My back ached, my arms were exhausted, and I was spending way too many nights in a half-asleep haze, praying my baby wouldn’t wake up the second I set him down. At just shy of six months, I knew it was time for a change—I needed to teach him to fall asleep on his own.

I was nervous. Sleep training gets a bad rap, and I wasn’t interested in hours of crying. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? I committed to a gentle, consistent approach, and within 48 hours, my baby was putting himself to sleep—no rocking required. Here’s exactly how I did it.

The Baby Sleep Routine

I kept the routine short and predictable, so my baby would recognize the cues that bedtime was coming. Here’s what we did before every nap and bedtime:

Change diaper
Put on sleep sack
Shut the blinds
Read 1-2 books
Turn on sound machine
Lay baby down awake

For bedtime, I also managed the lighting. I’d leave a small nightlight on while reading, then turn it off just before leaving the room. The goal? No more rocking, bouncing, or patting—just a soothing routine and a consistent environment.

Tips for Successful Baby Sleep Training

1. Feed 30 Minutes Before Bed

I used to nurse my baby right before bed, but he’d always doze off in my arms. Instead, I started feeding him earlier, in a well-lit room, to break the association between eating and sleeping.

2. Keep Wake Windows in Mind

Wake windows are key! If a baby is overtired, falling asleep is even harder. I planned our routine to start 15 minutes before the ideal sleep time, ensuring he wasn’t wired or cranky.

3. Start Sleep Training During the Day

Why did I wait until night with my first child? Naps are the perfect practice runs. Babies are usually well-rested in the morning, so they handle the transition better. Plus, if you have older kids, daytime training means fewer chances of middle-of-the-night disruptions.

4. Allow for Self-Soothing

Yes, there were some tears—but they were brief. The first time I laid him down awake, he cried for 10-15 minutes before drifting off. I told myself I’d wait 20 minutes before going in, but I never even had to. By the next sleep cycle, he fussed for only a few minutes. By the second night, he was falling asleep in under 10 minutes without crying.

Does Sleep Training Help Babies Sleep Longer?

Short answer: Yes, but night wakings don’t magically disappear.

While my baby still wakes up 1-3 times a night to eat, the biggest win is that he puts himself right back to sleep afterward. No more rocking, pacing, or re-settling for an hour. I went from spending an hour per wake-up to just 10-15 minutes of feeding before he settled himself back down.

What If My Baby Struggles With Sleep?

If your baby seems uncomfortable—due to gas, colic, or other tummy troubles—addressing their gut health can make a huge difference.

I used Tiny Health, which provides personalized gut health testing for babies. After following their probiotic recommendations, I noticed a big improvement—less gas, less fussiness, and better sleep. If you’re interested, you can use code SHETAKESFIVE for $20 off their test.

Final Thoughts: More Sleep, Less Stress

Training my baby to fall asleep on his own was a game-changer. While he still wakes up to eat, he doesn’t rely on me to soothe him back to sleep—meaning everyone in our house is getting more rest.

If you’re exhausted from hours of rocking, bouncing, or patting, I can’t recommend this approach enough. Give it 48 hours—you might just be surprised at how quickly your baby learns to sleep independently.