Sleep Training After a Long Break or Setback: How to Restart Gently

26 February 2026

Sleep training isn’t always a one-and-done process. Life happens—illness, travel, teething, developmental leaps—all of these can throw off your little one’s sleep routine. If you've had a long break or a setback in sleep training, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and the good news is that you can get back on track without starting from scratch. This guide will walk you through how to restart sleep training in a gentle and effective way.

Understanding Sleep Regressions and Setbacks

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why sleep setbacks happen. Knowing the why can help you approach the process with more patience (and fewer tears—both yours and your baby’s).

Common Causes of Sleep Training Setbacks

1. Illness or Teething – When babies are sick or in pain, sleep takes a backseat. They may need extra comfort, which can throw off their usual sleep patterns.
2. Travel or Time Changes – A different environment, jet lag, or even a disrupted routine can make it hard for babies to settle back into familiar sleep habits.
3. Developmental Milestones – Learning new skills like crawling, standing, or talking can temporarily mess with sleep as babies practice their newfound abilities.
4. Separation Anxiety – Around 6-12 months, babies become more aware that you’re not always there, making it harder for them to self-soothe.
5. Big Life Changes – Moving to a new home, starting daycare, or the arrival of a sibling can all lead to disrupted sleep.

No matter what caused the setback, the key is to approach sleep training again with patience and a game plan.

Restarting Sleep Training the Gentle Way

If you’re picking up sleep training after a long break, the goal is to reintroduce structure without overwhelming your baby. Here’s how to ease back into a healthy sleep routine in a gentle and stress-free way.

1. Start by Rebuilding Your Bedtime Routine

Babies thrive on predictability. If your old bedtime routine was working, slowly reinstate it as consistently as possible. If needed, tweak it to suit your baby's current stage.

A solid bedtime routine might look like this:
- Bath – Helps relax your baby.
- Massage or Lotion Time – A calming touch signals winding down.
- Pajamas & Sleep Sack – Dress for sleep to set the mood.
- Story Time – A short book helps reinforce bedtime cues.
- Lullaby & Cuddles – Soft singing or white noise provides comfort.
- Lights Out, Into the Crib Awake – Encourages self-soothing.

Re-establishing this pattern helps signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep.

2. Adjust Sleep Schedules Gradually

If your baby’s naps and bedtime have been all over the place, don’t expect an instant reset. Instead, adjust their sleep schedule gradually. Shift their bedtime or wake time by 10-15 minutes each night until they’re back on track.

For example, if they’ve been falling asleep at 10 PM but you want them in bed by 7:30 PM, move bedtime earlier by small increments over the course of a week rather than doing it all at once.

3. Go Back to Sleep Training Techniques That Worked Before

Think back to what worked the first time you sleep-trained. Did you use the Ferber method? The chair method? Gentle fading?

If a particular technique worked before, it's likely to work again—so stick with what’s familiar. Just keep in mind that babies grow and change, so you might need to adjust your approach slightly.

For example:
- If you used gentle fading, start by sitting next to the crib and slowly increasing distance each night.
- If you used timed check-ins, reintroduce them but keep the intervals short at first.
- If you practiced drowsy but awake, focus on placing your baby down before they fully fall asleep.

The key is to be consistent while offering plenty of reassurance.

4. Provide Extra Comfort Without Over-Reliance

After a long break, your baby might need extra comfort. That’s okay! Offer reassurance in a way that doesn’t create new sleep crutches.

Some strategies include:
- Adding a Lovey (For Babies Over 12 Months) – A small stuffed animal or blanket can provide comfort.
- Gentle Patting or Back Rubs – Helps soothe without picking them up.
- White Noise – Blocks out sudden sounds and offers a familiar sleep cue.
- Using Your Voice – A calm, reassuring voice can let them know you’re near.

The goal is to provide comfort while still encouraging independent sleep habits.

5. Be Patient and Expect Some Protests

Resetting sleep habits takes time! Even if your baby has sleep trained before, they might still protest when you reintroduce it. This is completely normal.

Stay consistent and don’t give in to habits you don’t want to reinforce long-term (like bringing your baby back to bed with you every time they cry). A few tough nights are better than weeks of back-and-forth confusion.

6. Stay Consistent with Naps

Good nighttime sleep starts with solid daytime sleep. If naps have been all over the place, bring back a predictable schedule. Watch for sleep cues like yawning, rubbing eyes, or fussiness, and aim for naps at consistent times each day.

A well-rested baby sleeps better at night, so don’t skip naps in hopes of making them extra tired—it usually backfires!

7. Give Yourself Grace

Sleep training (and retraining) isn’t always smooth, and that’s okay. Some nights will be easier than others, and some setbacks may still happen. The important thing is to stay patient and remind yourself that progress is being made, even if it’s slow.

If you're feeling frustrated, take a deep breath. Sleep training isn’t just about teaching your baby to sleep—it’s also about helping your family get the rest they need.

When to Seek Professional Guidance

If sleep struggles persist despite your best efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pediatrician or sleep consultant. Persistent sleep issues can sometimes be linked to underlying conditions like reflux, allergies, or developmental concerns, so professional advice can be invaluable.

Final Thoughts

Restarting sleep training after a long break or setback can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a battle. By re-establishing bedtime routines, gradually adjusting schedules, and sticking with gentle yet consistent methods, your baby can relearn healthy sleep habits in no time.

Remember: Sleep training isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Be patient with your little one (and yourself), and with time, sleep will get back on track. Sweet dreams!