Controlled comforting method of getting your baby to sleep

What controlled comforting is, the pros and cons of using this technique to settle your baby to sleep, plus how to start using the controlled comforting method.

Posted: 11 February 2011
by Siobhan O’Reilly and Sarah MacKenzie

Controlled comforting can feel like a gentler technique to settle your baby than controlled crying

Controlled comforting is a compromised or gentler version of the controlled crying technique, and experts advise not to try it before your baby’s 6 months old.

With controlled comforting, you leave progressively longer periods between visits to your crying baby. Soothe your baby with gentle pats, but don’t face her or pick her up.

This can take a long time each evening, and may take several weeks to work, but some parents find it easier to cope with than controlled crying.

How to start the controlled comforting technique

STEP 1: Put your baby in her cot awake, then leave. Wait outside for 2 minutes to see if she settles.

STEP 2: If she doesn’t settle, go back in and lay her on her side, facing away from you. When she starts to cry, place one hand on her shoulder and use the other to pat her bottom, saying, ‘It’s time to sleep’. If she stops crying, stop patting. Give her 2 minutes of this attention.

STEP 3: If after that your baby hasn’t fallen asleep, wait outside for 4 minutes. If she doesn’t settle, go in and repeat the process, this time for 4 minutes.

STEP 4: Extend the time spent comforting and leaving her alone to settle by 2 minutes each time. When she falls asleep, gently roll her on to her back. (Never leave her on her side, as this increases the risk of cot death.)

If your baby doesn’t settle within an hour, offer her a feed and a cuddle, then start again.