How to help baby sleep without support?

In babies, transitioning to unsupported sleep is less about 'training' and more about natural development as baby's nervous system and motor skills mature. For a baby between 4-6 months, a common recommended approach is to rock or hold your baby until they're calm, then place them in their crib while drowsy but still awake. This gives your baby a chance to experience falling asleep on their own in their own bed. Between 6-9 months, as nighttime feedings decrease, this method becomes easier to support. A consistent bedtime routine (bath, massage, quiet story, dim light) also helps by signaling to baby what comes next. At night, waiting a few minutes before responding to waking rather than immediately intervening also helps reinforce independent sleep habits long-term. This skill usually settles by 12 months, though every baby's pace is different. If there are crying episodes, feeding refusal, or significant sleep reduction, consulting a pediatrician or child psychologist may be helpful.