Sleep Training That Works: A Night Nanny’s Guide to Helping Newborns Sleep Through the Night
Why Sleep Training is Essential for Newborns and Parents
At Baby Sitters’ Guild, we understand that the transition into parenthood comes with a range of challenges, one of the biggest being sleepless nights. Many parents struggle to establish a consistent sleep routine for their newborns, often feeling exhausted and unsure of how to help their baby sleep longer stretches at night.
For years, Baby Sitters’ Guild has been a leading provider of highly skilled overnight infant nannies for families in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area. We specialize in newborn care and sleep training, working exclusively with the most experienced and trusted caregivers to provide tailored solutions for each family’s needs. Our night nannies are seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds in infant care, ensuring that parents receive the best support possible while their baby develops healthy sleep habits.
One of the NYC families we recently worked with came to us desperate for sleep. Their newborn was waking up frequently throughout the night, requiring constant rocking and soothing to fall back asleep. The parents were exhausted, and their baby was struggling to get the rest they needed.
To help them overcome these sleep challenges, we assigned one of our top night nannies to implement a structured and gentle sleep training program.
This case study walks through our proven techniques and how they transformed this family’s sleep routine. If you’re facing similar struggles, this guide will give you expert-backed strategies to help your baby sleep longer and more soundly.
One Family’s Newborn Sleep Struggles & What They Did
Like many new parents, this family was experiencing frequent night wakings, short sleep cycles, and an overtired baby. Their newborn had developed a strong sleep association with being held, meaning they needed to be rocked or fed to fall back asleep each time they woke up.
Every time the baby was placed in the crib, they would immediately wake up and cry, leading to a cycle of exhaustion for both the baby and parents.
Common Sleep Challenges:
Frequent night wakings disrupting the entire household.
Dependency on being rocked or fed to sleep.
Acid reflux issues causing discomfort and additional wake-ups.
Lack of a structured sleep routine, making it difficult to establish healthy sleep habits.
Exhausted parents struggling to function during the day.
They knew they needed a professional night nanny who could create a gentle, structured sleep training plan to help their baby learn to sleep independently.
BSG’s Sleep Training Plan: A Step-by-Step Approach
With years of experience in infant care and sleep training, our nanny quickly identified the key issues affecting the baby’s sleep and implemented a customized plan to address them.
Step 1: Establishing a Consistent Feeding Schedule
One of the biggest misconceptions parents have is that every nighttime wake-up means the baby is hungry. While newborns do require frequent feedings, random and inconsistent feeding can disrupt sleep patterns.
Our nanny introduced a structured feeding schedule to ensure the baby was full and comfortable before bedtime, reducing unnecessary night wakings.
Key feeding recommendations:
Feed every three hours to maintain a predictable schedule.
Burp the baby after each feeding to prevent gas buildup.
Keep the baby upright for 15-20 minutes after feeding to minimize reflux-related discomfort.
By following this structured schedule, the baby began waking only when they actually needed food, rather than out of habit.
Step 2: Creating the Ideal Sleep Environment
A baby’s sleep environment plays a critical role in their ability to sleep soundly. Many parents unintentionally create conditions that make it harder for their baby to stay asleep.
We made the following adjustments to the baby’s sleep space:
Swaddling for security – Ensuring the baby felt snug and safe, mimicking the womb.
Temperature control – Setting the room to 68-72°F, the optimal sleep temperature for newborns.
Reducing stimulation – Using blackout curtains and white noise to create a calm, distraction-free environment.
These simple yet highly effective changes helped the baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Step 3: Teaching the Baby to Self-Soothe
A major part of sleep training is helping the baby develop independent sleep skills. If a baby is used to being rocked or fed to sleep, they will struggle to settle themselves when they wake up during the night.
We introduced gentle self-soothing techniques to break this cycle.
Key techniques included:
Patting instead of picking up – Instead of immediately lifting the baby, our night nanny encouraged the parents to pat and reassure them while they remained in the crib.
Gradual response time – Allowing the baby a few moments to settle before intervening, helping them learn to fall asleep without constant assistance.
Predictable bedtime routine – A structured wind-down process, including a calm feeding, swaddling, and white noise, signaling that it was time for sleep.
Within just a few nights, the baby started falling asleep on their own, reducing the need for excessive parental involvement.
The Results: A Rested Baby and Rejuvenated Parents
By implementing our structured sleep training plan, this family saw transformational results within one week.
The baby began sleeping in longer stretches, waking only for scheduled feedings.
The parents regained confidence, knowing how to respond to night wakings without disrupting progress.
The entire household felt more rested, improving overall well-being and daily functioning.
By working with a highly skilled overnight nanny, the family was able to achieve the peaceful nights they had been longing for.
BSG’s Top Sleep Training Tips for Parents
For parents looking to improve their baby’s sleep, we recommend:
Stick to a Consistent Feeding Schedule – Feeding at set intervals prevents unnecessary wake-ups and creates routine.
Create a Sleep-Inducing Environment – Use blackout curtains, white noise, and a comfortable temperature to promote deep sleep.
Encourage Self-Soothing – Instead of immediately picking up your baby, try patting and reassuring them while they remain in the crib.
Use Swaddling for Comfort – Swaddling provides security and helps newborns sleep longer.
Be Patient and Consistent – Sleep training takes time, but the results are worth the effort.
How Babysitters’ Guild Supports Families with Sleep Training
At Baby Sitters’ Guild, we provide:
Expert overnight nannies trained in newborn sleep training and care.
Personalized sleep plans tailored to each baby’s unique needs.
Overnight support to help exhausted parents get the rest they need.
Guidance on feeding, reflux management, and self-soothing techniques.
We believe that every parent deserves the peace of mind that comes with restful nights, and every baby deserves the best start to healthy sleep habits.
Need a Night Nanny? Let Baby Sitters’ Guild Help
If your baby is struggling with sleep and you need expert overnight care, Baby Sitters’ Guild is here to help.
Our highly trained night nannies specialize in:
Sleep training & establishing routines
Overnight newborn care & feeding schedules
Helping exhausted parents get better rest
Get in touch with us today and experience better sleep for your entire family.