Research | Safe, Sound, & Aslee

Research & Studies

The following are just some of the many studies conducted on the subject of safety and benefits of infant sleep training. There are many more similar studies but these are just my personal favorites based on how easy they are to read and understand.

Sleep training does not cause attachment issues (Symon B, Crinchton GE)

Debunking the "science" behind Dr. Sear's claims that crying-it-out for any length of time is dangerous or causes emotional harm (Yale University)

No short or long term differences in children who were or were not sleep trained as infants (American Academy of Pediatrics)

There is no minimum age for sleep learning (Ian St James-Roberts, PhD)

Five-year follow-up of harms and benefits of behavioral infant sleep intervention: randomized trial: No adverse effects on child mental health, behavior, parent-child relationship or maternal well-being at age 6 (Pediatrics, 2012)

RCT in Pediatrics 2016: Graduated extinction and bedtime fading improved onfant sleep without negative effects on stress (cortisol), attachment, or emotions/behavior at 12 months (Gradisar et al.)

BMJ 2002 RCT: Showed improvements in infant sleep and reduced maternal depression, without evidence of harm (short term outcomes) (Hiscock & Wake)

BMJ Evidence-Based Mental Health commentary: Summarized the 5-year follow-up study, confirming no long-term harms.

Systematic review (Sleep, 2006, Mindell et al.) Found behavioral treatments for infant sleep to be effective and safe, with no evidence of adverse effects.
Systematic review (Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2012, Price et al.) Concluded that behavioral sleep interventions in the first 6 months of life are effective and not associated with negative child or parent outcomes.