If you want to help your baby start falling asleep at bedtime without fussing but are questioning whether you feel comfortable with sleep training, the Pick Up, Put Down method may be for you. The gentle method of Pick Up, Put Down sleep training encourages lots of parental support to get your baby used to falling asleep independently – without excessive crying.
Here we’ll go over what is the Pick Up, Put Down method, how long Pick Up, Put Down takes to work, and how to know if Pick Up, Put Down is right for you.
Expert tip: Want to increase your chance of success with sleep training using Pick Up, Put Down? Download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ app for step-by-step guidance from setting up your baby's sleep environment to implementing the method. From a timer to personalized sleep schedule to smart notfiications, the expert-designed tools makes sleep training less confusing and frustrating.
{{table_of_contents}}
What is the Pick Up, Put Down Method?
Pick Up, Put Down is a sleep training method where you put your baby in their crib at bedtime and if they fuss, you wait a specific interval of time before going in to pick them up to comfort and calm them.
The Pick Up, Put Down method is one method of sleep training, also known as sleep coaching, which aligns your baby’s sleep schedule with their circadian rhythm and then helps them fall asleep without parental support. With Pick Up, Pick Down, the goal is for them to fall asleep on their own at bedtime – and then fall back asleep if they wake up in between sleep cycles – without you needing to soothe them.
Falling asleep independently is an important skill because it helps manage stress, improve sleep quality, and develop their independence.
{{curious-if-pick-up-put-down-right-for-you-no-image}}
How Does the Pick Up, Put Down Method Work?
Pick Up, Put Down fine tunes the fundamentals of sleep (when and where your baby sleeps) and then helps them with how they fall asleep.
Newborns physically need support to fall asleep, such as feeding, rocking, shushing, and cuddling. However, as your baby gets older, they naturally can fall asleep on their own – they just may need some extra support to get comfortable with it.
The Pick Up, Put Down method uses a consistent approach at bedtime to wean your baby off your support and get them comfortable with falling asleep on their own. With this method they know you are nearby to reassure them as they get used to falling asleep in their crib without being held, rocked, or fed.
Once they can fall asleep independently, your baby usually will start to default to it! Of course, with sleep regressions and other developmental milestones, occasionally there may be setbacks. However, once the healthy sleep habits from Pick Up, Put Down are in place, your baby should have no problem getting back on track.
Steps for Pick Up, Put Down Method
The steps for the Pick Up, Put Down method stay mostly consistent each night, except for one part that gradually changes over time. You can also lay some groundwork before you begin.
Preparing for Pick Up, Put Down
Before you start sleep training, there are a few things you can do to prepare.
- Make sure your baby's room is dark and quiet.
- Set their room to the ideal temperature of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius).
- Change your baby into a clean diaper that's leak-free for up to 12 hours (such as Pampers Swaddlers or another extra-absorbent diaper) to prevent unnecessary wakeups.
- Put them to sleep at the right time according to their biological rhythm (the Smart Sleep Coach's Sleep Schedule can help with that).
Step-by-step instructions for Pick Up, Put Down night 1:
- Perform your bedtime routine – a consistent, calm set of actions you do every night before bed. Feed your baby before you begin bedtime – we don't want them to associate feeding with falling asleep.
- Place your baby in bed when they’re sleepy, but still awake. Remember, you want your baby to fall asleep on their own, rather than in your arms.
- Say “good night” and leave the room confidently – you want your baby to know they are safe, and all is well.
- Step into the hall and listen.
- If your baby starts crying or fussy, set a timer for 1 minute. If your baby is still fussing or crying at that point, go in and pick them up to cuddle and reassure them.
- When your baby settles, but before they fall asleep, place them back in their crib and leave again.
- Repeat the process until your baby falls asleep.
Step-by-step instructions for Pick Up, Put Down night 2 and beyond:
For the second night of Pick Up, Put Down, you repeat the steps of night 1 of the Pick Up, Put Down method in the same way with one difference – you add 2 minutes to your wait period before re-entering your baby’s room if they protest.
On night 3, you add another 2 minutes. You keep adding 2 minutes to your wait period each night until your baby is falling asleep independently without you entering their room to pick them up.
By adding time to your “wait time” each night, you’re giving your baby an opportunity to get used to falling asleep on their own.
How Long Do I Hold My Baby in Pick Up, Put Down Sleep Training?
Generally, you do not want to hold your baby until they fall asleep (unless they are newborn). This is a habit you are trying to break with Pick Up, Put Down.
Hold and reassure your baby just until they settle down or stop crying, but before they fall asleep. Then place them back in their crib sleepy, but still awake, so they can fall asleep on their own.
We recommend holding your baby only until they stop crying. However, if your baby accidentally falls asleep in that period, place them back in their bed on their back.
If your baby repeatedly falls asleep during the “pick up” part of Pick Up, Put Down, we recommend trying another method, such as the Chair Method. This will provide your baby with reassurance but removes the possibility that they will fall asleep in your arms.
How Long Does Pick Up, Put Down Take to Work?
The Pick Up, Put Down method can take a few weeks to work. This is because it's slower more gradual method of sleep training that includes a lot of parental involvement – meaning your baby will take longer to get used to falling asleep independently. But, with consistency, it can work!
If you're interested in a sleep training method that works faster than the Pick Up, Put Down method, review other sleep training methods here.
Pick Up, Put Down method for naps
You can try to use the Pick Up, Put Down method for naps, but like with all sleep training methods, nap time can be more difficult because your baby’s drive to sleep is lower.
How Do I Know if Pick Up, Put Down Method is Right for Me and My Baby?
There are different reasons for why the Pick Up, Put Down method may be right for you and your baby.
Age
Like with all sleep training methods, your baby should be at least 12 weeks old and have the go-ahead from their healthcare provider. However, Pick Up, Put Down method may be more effective if you start when your baby is 4 months or older.
Babies around this age better understand patterns, a key element to the Pick Up, Put Down method. When you perform your bedtime routine every night, you’re building a healthy habit by cueing your baby it's time to go to bed.
For example, Pick Up, Put Down sleep training will not be effective for a 2-month-old or a newborn. At this age you can support your baby as much as they need to help them sleep. For older children, Pick Up, Put Down often works well. You can even sleep train a toddler – it's never too late to sleep train, or re-sleep train to reset sleep after travel or a sleep regression.
Weight
Your baby should be at least 12 pounds (5.44 kilograms) before you try the Pick Up, Put Down method or any sleep training method. Always check with your healthcare provider before attempting to sleep train.
Sleeping Environment
A visual barrier between your baby’s sleep space and yours is ideal. If you choose to do the Pick Up, Put Down method while room sharing, you simply follow the same steps. The hope is that when you’re ready for bed, your baby will be fast asleep and won't even notice your return.
Parental Involvement
The Pick Up, Put Down method is a good option for parents that want to get their baby used to falling asleep independently without much crying. Pick Up, Put Down is one of the slower sleep training methods and requires a lot of consistency and patience from parents to be successful.
Speed
Pick Up, Put Down tends to take a few weeks on average to work because it takes longer for your baby to wean off your support if you are very involved in the sleep training process. If you're looking for a faster approach to your baby getting comfortable with falling asleep independently, Pick Up, Put Down may not be right for you.
Falling Asleep While Held
In Pick Up, Put Down, it’s recommended you hold your baby only until they settle. However, if your baby accidentally falls asleep in that period, place them back into their bed.
If your baby repeatedly falls asleep during the “pick up” part of Pick Up, Put Down, we recommend trying another method, such as the Chair Method. This will provide your baby with reassurance but removes the possibility they’ll fall asleep in your arms.
What if Pick Up, Put Down Doesn’t Work?
If the sleep training method of Pick Up, Put Down doesn’t work for you, take this free 3-minute quiz to get help finding another sleep training method that may work better for your baby. For some babies, their parent constantly coming in and out of their room can be more disruptive than helpful. They there may need an approach with less parental involvement than Pick Up, Put Down.
For other babies, they may consistently fall asleep during the “pick up” part of Pick Up, Put Down. Luckily there are other high parental involvement methods that prevent this possibility.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to sleep, every baby is different. While one baby may respond well to the Pick Up, Put Down sleep training method, another baby may need something else to help them be able to fall asleep independently.
Regardless of if you choose to sleep train your baby with Pick Up, Put Down method or not, if your baby is going to sleep at the time that aligns with their natural rhythm, has a consistent bedtime routine, and a soothing sleep environment, they may already be on their way to sleeping like a dream!
