What is the 5 3 3 Rule sleep training? (2024)

December 6, 2022

Sleep training is the process of helping a child learn how to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer periods of time. All parents know that getting enough sleep is essential for a child's physical and mental development, and poor sleep can lead to behavior problems and difficulty concentrating. Sleep training can help children establish healthy sleep habits and improve the quality of their sleep.

What is the 5 3 3 rule?

The 5 3 3 rule is a sleep training method that involves setting specific intervals for sleep. The method involves having the child sleep for 5 hours, followed by 3 hours of awake time, and then 3 hours of sleep again. This schedule is repeated throughout the day and night, with the goal of establishing a regular sleep schedule and helping the child learn to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer periods of time. By setting specific intervals for sleep, the 5 3 3 rule provides structure and consistency, which can be helpful for children who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. A great way to add consistency to your baby's bedtime routine arenursery-approved blackout curtains, which have been shown to help with this method.

The three intervals of the 5 3 3 rule are:

5 hours of sleep: The first interval of the 5 3 3 rule involves having the child sleep for 5 hours. This interval is intended to help the child get a good amount of rest and establish a regular sleep schedule.

3 hours of awake time: The second interval of the 5 3 3 rule involves 3 hours of awake time. During this time, the child is expected to stay awake and engage in activities such as playing, reading, or interacting with others. This interval is intended to help the child stay alert and maintain a consistent wake-sleep cycle.

3 hours of sleep: The third interval of the 5 3 3 rule involves another 3 hours of sleep. This interval is intended to help the child get the rest they need and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

How does the 5 3 3 rule work?

One of the key elements of the 5 3 3 rule is establishing a regular sleep schedule and sticking to it. This means setting specific times for the child to go to bed and wake up, and consistently following the 5 3 3 rule intervals for sleep and awake time. By establishing a regular sleep schedule, the child's body can become accustomed to a consistent sleep-wake cycle, which can help improve their sleep quality and make it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.

The most important thing for any sleep schedule is a sleep-friendly environment for the child.Babies are particularly sensitive to light-disturbances when they are sleep training. Usinghigh quality blackout curtainslike a Sleepout Curtain to block out light and create a dark, quiet, and comfortable space for the child to sleep is essential. Sleepout Curtains (portable or home) are designed specifically for sleep, blocking sound, heat, and light. Additionally, we recommend using calming techniques such as reading a bedtime story, playing soft music, or giving the child a massage to help them relax and prepare for sleep.

If the child has difficulty falling asleep, we recommend using gentle, consistent methods to help them settle down. This can include patting their back or soothingly singing to them until they fall asleep. If the child wakes up during the night, we recommend using similar calming techniques to help them fall back asleep.

Benefits and Criticisms of the 5 3 3 rule

The potential benefits of the 5 3 3 rule include:

Improved sleep quality: By establishing a regular sleep schedule and helping the child learn to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer periods of time, the 5 3 3 rule can improve the child's sleep quality. This can lead to better overall health and well-being, as well as improved cognitive function and behavior.

Promotes healthy sleep habits: The 5 3 3 rule can help children develop healthy sleep habits, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, and avoiding caffeine and other stimulants before bedtime. These habits can be beneficial for the child's overall health and well-being.

Allows for flexibility: The 5 3 3 rule allows for some flexibility in the child's sleep schedule, as it allows for periods of awake time in between sleep intervals. This can be useful for parents who need to accommodate the child's nap schedule or other activities.

Some potential criticisms of the 5 3 3 rule include:

Effect on child's development: Some critics may argue that the 5 3 3 rule is too rigid and may not take into account the individual needs of the child. They may be concerned that the method could interfere with the child's natural sleep patterns and have a negative effect on their development.

Potential for parental burnout: The 5 3 3 rule requires consistency and patience, and some parents may find it difficult to stick to the schedule. This can lead to frustration and burnout, which can be detrimental to both the parent and the child.

May not work for all children: Every child is different, and the 5 3 3 rule may not work for every child. Some children may have underlying medical conditions or other factors that make it difficult for them to sleep, and the 5 3 3 rule may not be effective in these cases.

Conclusion

In summary, the 5 3 3 rule is a sleep training method that involves setting specific intervals for sleep and awake time in order to establish a regular sleep schedule and help a child learn to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer periods of time. The method involves having the child sleep for 5 hours, followed by 3 hours of awake time, and then 3 hours of sleep again. The potential benefits of the 5 3 3 rule include improving sleep quality and promoting healthy sleep habits. However, there are also criticisms of the method, such as concerns about its effect on a child's development and the potential for parental burnout. It is important for parents to do their own research and consult with a healthcare professional before implementing any sleep training method.

We recommend implementing the 5 3 3 rule by creating a sleep-friendly environment for the child where they will not be disturbed by excess light, noise, or high temperatures.

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FAQs

What is the 5 3 3 Rule sleep training? ›

The 5 3 3 rule is a sleep training method where you have your child sleep for 5 hours, then wake for 3 hours, then sleep for 3 hours again.

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What is the 5 3 3 method of sleep training? ›

Understanding the Intervals

5 hours of sleep: Starting the day with this longer sleep interval allows the baby to get a substantial amount of rest, laying the groundwork for an established nap schedule throughout the day. 3 hours of awake time: Following the first sleep interval, the baby remains awake for 3 hours.

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What is the 10 3 2 rule for sleep? ›

Recently, I started the 10-3-2-1-0 sleep rule: 10 hours before bed = no more caffeine, 3 hours before bed = no more food or drink, 2 hours before bed = no more work, 1 hour before bed = no more screen time, and 0 = number of times you hit the snooze button.

What is the 80 20 rule of sleep training? ›

80% of the time, you stick to the well-established healthy sleep schedule and then 20% of the time, you have the option to take naps on the go, skip naps, go off track on the timing of sleep, or have a later bedtime. Each child is unique, and their sleep needs and temperaments are different.

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What is the 3-3-3 rule for babies? ›

Parenting a young child can be tough. The 3-3-3 rule is a mindfulness technique that's simple enough for young children and it asks them to name three things they can see, identify three sounds they can hear, and move three different parts of their bodies.

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Is Cry It Out better than Ferber? ›

Ferber will take a little longer than CIO, and it doesn't work well for naps (CIO tends to be better for napping). If crying/protesting escalates when you enter the room, this might also not be the best method for your baby. You could switch to Ferber/CIO.

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Which nights of sleep training are the hardest? ›

Again, every baby is different, but from my own experience and the experiences of my friends, the 2nd or 3 rd night of sleep training are often the most challenging– meaning that babies cried more on those nights than any other night.

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What is the golden rule of sleep? ›

Establish a regular sleep schedule.

Go to bed every night at the same time and wake up without an alarm clock at the same time every morning—including weekends. Within six weeks the hours you spend in bed will begin to synchronize with the sleepy phase of your biological clock. Your mood will be the winner.

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What is the 80 20 rule sleep? ›

Basically, the “80/20 Rule” of sleep is when you stick with your normal routine and schedule 80% of the time. However, the remaining 20% allows you to be flexible while still respecting the boundaries of healthy sleep for your child. This means that you can have a late night or a nap-on-the-go here and there.

What is the 30-90 rule sleep? ›

The 30-90 rule is a guideline for taking a good nap without feeling groggy afterward. It states that naps should last 30 minutes or less — OR be at least 90 minutes long, in order to improve physical health and cognitive performance.

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What is the hardest age to sleep train? ›

3-4 Months

By 3 to 4 months, infants are forming a nighttime sleep cycle. They're more sociable, don't usually suffer from separation anxiety, and start snoozing better. However, most 3- and 4-month-olds aren't developmentally ready to self-soothe, so sleep training may be difficult.

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What age is too late for sleep training? ›

The Short Answer: No, It's Never Too Late

It is never too late for a child to learn valuable independent sleep skills. In fact, we typically work with children up to age 8 or 9.

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What is the 3 minute rule for sleep training? ›

After following a set bedtime routine, place your drowsy infant in their crib while they're still awake then leave the room. If they cry, wait for a period of time—Ferber suggests three minutes the first night—before returning to the room to briefly comfort them.

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What is the 3 C's baby? ›

You may also find that your baby becomes more fussy at the very start of a leap - in fact, though frustrating for parents, this is a great sign that your baby is developing properly! In the Wonder Weeks book (and on the Wonder Weeks app), this is referred to as the 'three Cs': Crying, Clinginess, and Crankiness.

What is the fastest sleep training method? ›

The Cry It Out Method

If the baby cries, the parent does not respond. Eventually, the baby tires themselves out from crying or self-soothes back to sleep. This method is well-known, and proponents say that it works, and quickly.

What is the new Ferber method? ›

The Ferber method has been shown to be safe and effective for babies. To use it, you'll follow a schedule that involves set periods of crying – for example, five minutes, then 10, then 15 – over a week. Your baby's crying may taper off after the first few nights, however.

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What is the 533 rule for babies? ›

The 5 3 3 rule is a sleep training method that involves setting specific intervals for sleep. The method involves having the child sleep for 5 hours, followed by 3 hours of awake time, and then 3 hours of sleep again.

What sleep training method is most effective? ›

Fading Method

The fading sleep training method is one of the best sleep training methods for some. To use this method, you take what techniques you normally use to get your baby to fall asleep – rocking, soothing, singing, babywearing, etc. — and you start to lessen the time you spend doing them to “fade” them out.

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What is the 5 4 3 2 1 method to sleep? ›

The 54321 (or 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) method is a grounding exercise designed to manage acute stress and reduce anxiety. It involves identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.

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What is the 3 3 3 rule for sleep? ›

In short, here's my 3-3-3 rule to time exercise and nutrition for 90 minutes of deep sleep at night: Avoid intense exercise three hours before bedtime, have your last meal three hours before bedtime, and stay away from caffeine after 3 pm.

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