Available Methods at 4 Months
At 4 months, your baby is developmentally ready for gentle sleep training. The Chair method and the Fading method are the best options. Pick Up Put Down can also work well. Ferber is possible but most experts recommend waiting until 6 months for graduated extinction approaches.
The 4-Month Regression Factor
Many babies experience a sleep regression around 4 months as their sleep cycles mature. This is actually a permanent change in sleep architecture, which makes it a logical time to teach self-soothing. However, if your baby is in the thick of the regression (suddenly waking every 1-2 hours after sleeping well), wait 1-2 weeks for the worst to pass before starting.
Adapting the Chair Method for 4 Months
- Stay 3 days per position (not 2) since younger babies need more adjustment time.
- Allow more shush-patting in Position 1 than you would for an older baby.
- Expect the process to take the full 14 days or slightly longer.
- Maintain 1-2 night feedings as needed. Sleep training is about the skill of falling asleep, not eliminating feeds.
If your baby was born premature, use adjusted age. A baby born 6 weeks early at 4 calendar months is developmentally closer to 2.5 months and should wait.
What to Watch For
At 4 months, some babies genuinely aren't ready even though they've reached the minimum age. Signs that your baby needs more time: they are not yet able to roll over, they still startle awake frequently (strong Moro reflex), or they cannot calm themselves even briefly with finger-sucking or head-turning.
Track Your Baby's Sleep
NapNap Baby helps you log sleep, predict nap times, and build healthy routines — all in one app.
Get the app free →Free to try · No account needed · Works offline