Ep 31. The Truth About Sleep Training: History, Myths & A Holistic Approach

In this episode of Mothering From Within, host Kaili Ets takes you on a deep dive into the history of sleep training—from its origins in the late 19th century to today’s evolving perspectives. You’ll learn about different sleep training methods like cry-it-out, controlled crying, and more gentle alternatives, while also uncovering the surprising roots of these approaches.

Kaili challenges outdated sleep training philosophies—many of which were developed by white men with little to no hands-on caregiving experience—and sheds light on a growing movement that prioritizes responsive, attachment-focused, and developmentally appropriate sleep strategies.

If you’ve ever questioned mainstream sleep advice or felt torn about what’s “right” for your baby, this episode will help you trust your instincts, understand the holistic needs of both you and your little one, and make informed choices that truly align with your family’s values.

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The origins of sleep training & how it has evolved over time
• Why some common sleep advice doesn’t consider a baby’s biological needs
• The controversy around sleep research & sleep training methods
• How responsive and holistic sleep approaches support both baby and parent

🎧 Tune in and empower yourself to make the best sleep decisions for your family!

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction: Why we’re diving into sleep training history
00:35 – Welcome to Mothering From Within
01:44 – How sleep training became mainstream
05:22 – Modern shifts in sleep training perspectives
06:58 – The science, controversies, and gaps in sleep research
08:44 – Breaking down popular sleep training methods
15:15 – A holistic, responsive approach to baby sleep
18:56 – Final thoughts & encouragement
21:01 – Resources & next steps

💛 If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it!

Stay in Touch With Kaili

• Kaili's Website
• Kaili's Instagram
• Book a Right Fit Call with Kaili

Are you struggling with your baby's sleep? Grab my free Sleepy Time Checklist, a carefully curated checklist to help you optimize your baby's sleep.  This is the checklist that I mentally go through with all my 1:1 clients when designing their customized sleep plans.

Grab a copy of my book "Mothering From Within". Like a good friend, therapist, and mentor, this book offers guidance and support to help you navigate motherhood with intuition, grace, and yes, a bit of humor. It's full of evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate, attachment-focused information on developmental milestones, baby sleep, reflux, feeding, mama mental health, and so much more.

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