Sleep Training Helps More Than Just Baby: New Science on Maternal Mental Health and Safe Methods
Let’s get real: there’s a lot of feels and fears around sleep training. Is it emotionally harmful? Is it a slippery slope? Recent research is here to say: no, sleep training (whether you choose gradual or extinction methods) can be safe, effective, and even support your mental health.
New (2025) research shows sleep and mental health are deeply connected
A 2025 study published in Scientific Reports looked at how maternal sleep, infant sleep, and maternal mental health interact over time, from late pregnancy to two years postpartum. It found strong bi-directional links between maternal sleep quality and maternal mood (depression and anxiety symptoms). What’s more, maternal sleep at 6 months had later effects on maternal mental health, and even correlated with infant sleep.
Another 2025 study on mother-infant behavioral sleep interventions (BSIs) examined how such interventions impacted both maternal health and infant sleep. The results showed positive outcomes: improved maternal sleep and overall health, along with better infant sleep. (ScienceDirect)
Translation? Helping babies sleep helps moms sleep better too, which boosts mood and lowers anxiety.
Safe and effective: both CIO (extinction) and gradual methods work
If you're worried that "Cry It Out" (CIO) is damaging, let’s set the record straight. Behavioral sleep training is one of the most studied areas in pediatric sleep.
A 2016 RCT in Pediatrics compared graduated extinction and bedtime fading. Both methods improved sleep—and neither showed long-term negative impacts on infant stress (measured by cortisol levels), emotional development, or parent-child attachment.
Follow-up studies, like Price et al. (2012), found that six years later, children who’d been sleep trained showed no evidence of emotional or behavioral problems.
A meta-analysis by Mindell et al. (2006) confirmed these methods reliably improve sleep without harmful effects.
Bottom line: Both extinction-style and gradual methods are valid. The most effective one is the one you can consistently follow.
Real-world reassurance: balancing tools and connection
Here’s what real parents have shared after working with me:
"We did a gentle pick-up-put-down method, and sleep actually improved. But I felt so much calmer knowing I had Ashley’s support behind it." — Heaven Sent Sleep client
"I chose a responsive check and console approach. It aligned with my values—and it worked. Nights now feel manageable." — Heaven Sent Sleep client
By the way, if you’re unsure which approach fits your family, check out this helpful internal guide: How to Choose a Sleep Training Method.
Quick comparison: Which method might fit?
Related blogs to help you further
Sleep Training Without “Cry It Out” — for gentle, responsive methods (Heaven Sent Sleep)
How to Handle Night Wakings After Sleep Training — tips for navigating the tough middle-of-night moments (Heaven Sent Sleep)
Will Contact Napping Ruin Sleep Training? — balancing co-regulation with independent sleep (Heaven Sent Sleep)
Final thoughts
Here’s what I want every parent to know: Sleep training isn’t about detachment or guilt. It’s about connection, clarity, and rest, for you and your baby.
The most up-to-date evidence supports both gradual and extinction-based methods as safe and effective. And better infant sleep boosts maternal mental health. You’re not failing by choosing sleep training, you’re allowing yourself and your little one to heal.
If you'd love help tailoring a plan to your baby's temperament and your values, I’m here for you, without judgment, with full empathy, and with evidence on our side.
