Similar to the "Ferber Method," this is a popular approach to sleep training that involves gradually increasing the time between parental check-ins. The Timed Checks Method strikes a balance between promoting self-soothing and providing intermittent parental support.

1. Establish a predictable bedtime routine to cue the baby that sleep is coming

Think cozy lullabies, reading, and quietly talking about your day. What you DO during the routine is not as important as the consistency of the routine.  Make sure that all caregivers are doing the same quiet, calming activities in the same order.  Keep in mind, though, that if the routine causes anxiety because the baby knows you’re heading towards bedtime, then it should be abandoned until the baby is more relaxed before bed.

2. Put your child into the crib AWAKE

It's important to put your child into the crib while they are still awake. This allows them to learn how to fall asleep independently rather than relying on external assistance. “Drowsy but awake” is unlikely to succeed.

3. Start with a short waiting period

When your child cries or fusses after being put to bed at a level 4 or above on a scale of 1-10, you start the timed checks method. After a set # of minutes of continuous crying (see chart below), go in and do a “check”.

4. Do a “check”

The purpose and duration of the check varies depending on your baby’s response. Many babies will escalate their protest when you enter the room.  If they do, the purpose of the check is to exude confidence and briefly reassure them that you are there. You may only be in the room for a few seconds. 

If the baby is soothed by your presence, you may be in the room a little longer: you may stay for a minute or two to help the baby calm down.  Remember, though, that your goal is not to help them all the way to sleep—your goal is to cue them to calm themselves. The baby may still be crying when you leave the room. In either case- if it’s a brief visit or a slightly longer one- you will say very little: “I’m here. I love you. It’s time to sleep.”

Your tone and energy should be confident and matter-of-fact—the baby needs to feel that YOU are in charge and that you believe they are capable.

5. Stay out of the room for increasing lengths of time.

After each check, set the timer for the next interval. Each time you leave, you’ll give the baby longer and longer periods of time to settle themselves (see chart below).

If, at any point while you’re out of the room, the baby soothes and is quiet for a period of time (45 seconds or more), start the timer over at the beginning of that interval.  Think of this as “tired beating angry”. For example, if you are on minute 4 of a 7 minute interval and the baby seems to have fallen asleep, but then starts to cry again, start the timer over and give the baby another 7 minutes.

6. Repeat, starting at the smallest interval from bedtime for all night wakings*

Any time the baby wakes in the night, you’ll repeat exactly what you did at bedtime that night, starting with the smallest interval. Each subsequent night, the interval lengths increase.

7. What if the checks make it worse?

If you find that the checks are too stimulating or are making the baby cry harder, you can switch to “extinction”, or not going in.

8. Do I need to night Wean?

If your baby is still feeding at night, you do not have to night wean to sleep train. Treat any waking between bedtime and 12 am as a night waking (do timed checks). Then offer a feed immediately the first time the baby wakes after 12.

9. What if the baby poops?

If, when you go into the room for a check, you realize the baby has pooped, pick the baby up and do a quick diaper change. Place them back into the crib awake and continue with timed checks starting at the smallest interval from that night.

10. Be confident

Your confidence in your baby’s ability to sleep is the #1 determining factor in your sleep training success. Approach this with authoritative, loving energy.  Babies are seeking safe boundaries: they need to know that you know what you’re doing and that you have faith in them! If you believe that your baby can sleep, they will sleep.