By Jade Folk

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Avoiding Baby Sleep Transitions

Are you finding yourself avoiding a sleep transition with your baby? Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of starting, worried about how it might unfold, and how it might impact you and your family. If so, please know that you’re not alone in these sentiments. I’ve been there, and navigated a similar situation with my own baby! Despite being well-versed in sleep coaching methodologies, I still found myself avoiding a transition, and that’s because no matter who you are, transitions can be hard and stressful! 

We were avoiding the weaning process from pacifiers for our baby. While part of our delayed decision was influenced by the AAP’s recommendation to wait to get rid of the pacifier until the one-year mark, the truth is, we were just avoiding it because we knew it would be hard. Pacifiers were a very positive sleep association for our child, and we knew that taking it away would be signing us up for multiple nights of sleep disturbances and lots of protest from our baby.

However, deep down, I knew that better sleep for both my baby and me was possible if we could take that step. The pacifier was starting to become a nightly issue, causing night time wakes anytime it was lost in our baby’s crib, and I would be the one to retrieve it. It was negatively impacting all of our sleep, and I knew it had to change. 

Ben Iwara Unsplash

Parenting often means facing tough decisions, not because they’re easy, but because they’re what our child needs to thrive. It’s our job to gently guide them through these transitions, acknowledging their big feelings and offering comfort and reassurance every step of the way. It’s about having faith that they can get through hard things. At this age it’s sleep transitions, but soon it will be the first day of preschool or kindergarten. Our babies need us to believe in them, offer them comfort when things are hard, and give them the steps/tools to learn for themselves. 

And while we had a few difficult nights adjusting to the new transition, we are through it now, and all the better from it. 

So here are some tips to help you through a transition of your own:


Access what method best suits your child and the situation

Cold Turkey: Abruptly stopping/ changing behavior 

Gradual Approach: Slowly reducing or phasing out the behavior over time 


I typically recommend a gradual approach, as it tends to be gentler for most children. However, some kids respond better to a less gradual, and more immediate change, so trust your instincts about what might work best for your child. In some cases, a gradual transition can be confusing. For example, when discontinuing pacifier use, it may be more effective to stop completely and support your child through the adjustment.

Understand the potential challenges involved and set a clear timeline for when and how you want to make the change. This helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and allows you to address any roadblocks before they arise.

Ensure that everyone involved in your child’s care (partner, grandparents, daycare, etc.) is committed to the transition plan. Consistency is key for a smooth change.

Aim to start the transition during a time when you’ll have support, like a long weekend, school break, or when you’re not dealing with other major changes. This gives you space to focus on the transition without additional stress.

Be ready for some resistance or regression, transitions often come with ups and downs. Stay consistent and patient, and remember that setbacks are a normal part of the process.

Children thrive on consistency, so once you’ve made your decision, stick with it. It may be tempting to go back to old habits when things get tough, but being consistent will help your child adjust faster in the long run.

Sleep transitions can be challenging, so make sure to take breaks when possible and lean on self-care strategies. Lean on your support system! 


Taking this leap has the potential to bring better sleep and greater well-being for your entire family. While the process may feel challenging while you are in the thick of it, it’s important to remind yourself that this phase is temporary, and the effort you’re putting in now will pave the way for more restful nights ahead. Trust in your ability to navigate this transition with patience, love, and resilience. You’ve got this! (and if you need extra support or guidance through this transition, I am here for you.)



Author bio

Jade Folk is a certified Pediatric Sleep Coach, with a background in attachment theory, youth empowerment, Positive Discipline and early childhood education. Jade has 10+ years of experience working with kids as a nanny, preschool teacher, and now parent and sleep coach. Jade has a passion for empowering families to understand the science of sleep, learning their children's natural sleep cycles and patterns, and finding solutions tailored specifically for the unique and individual needs for each family she works with. Positive Discipline is at the core of Jade work as a pediatric sleep coach.

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