10/14/2026
“Put your baby down drowsy but awake.” If only it were that easy.
For many families, this advice leads to frustration and confusion.
Here’s why it terrible advice:
💤A lot of babies wake up the moment they touch the mattress. That sleepy transfer you carefully planned? Suddenly, you’re starting over.
💤It doesn’t teach every baby how to fall asleep independently. Being almost asleep when you put your baby down isn’t the same as learning to fall asleep in their sleep space.
So what should you do instead?
✨ Focus on the skills, not the sleepiness. If your goal is independent sleep, work toward a consistent bedtime routine and an age-appropriate approach that helps your baby learn to fall asleep in their sleep space, with the level of support that fits your family.
✨ Pay attention to timing. A baby who isn’t tired enough or is overtired may have a harder time settling. Wake windows can be a helpful starting point, but they’re not the whole picture.
✨ Choose an approach you can stick with. There isn’t one right way to teach sleep skills. Your baby’s age, temperament, feeding needs, and your family’s comfort level all matter.
Save this for the next time someone tells you to just put your baby down drowsy but awake.
