Every January, parents make the same hopeful promise:This is the month we finally fix sleep.
And every January, I hear the same thing two weeks later: “Why is sleep training in January somehow harder than before?”
As a mom of four—and someone who ran a daycare for 13 years—I can tell you this with confidence: it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because the “New Year, New Sleep” mindset sets parents up with unrealistic expectations.
Let’s talk about why sleep training in January often fails—and what actually works instead.
The Problem With “New Year, New Sleep”
January feels like a fresh start, but your child doesn’t know the calendar flipped.
After weeks of:
- Late bedtimes
- Skipped naps
- Extra stimulation
- Family visits and zero routine
Your child’s nervous system is fried. Jumping straight into strict sleep training in January without resetting the foundation is like trying to run a marathon after holiday couch rotting and late-night Netflix binges.
I saw this constantly in my daycare—kids who normally slept beautifully suddenly melting down at nap time after the holidays. And honestly? I’ve lived it with my own four kids, too. And it's normal.
The holiday season is filled with cousins, cookies & chaos, and we don't want to miss a bit of it! And that is OK. And it's pretty typical. So we are all in this boat together. We all had a ton of fun.
Now let's get back on track.
Why Parents Burn Out Fast in January
Here’s what usually happens:
- Parents expect instant results
- Kids push back harder than expected
- Everyone is exhausted by Day 3
That’s when sleep training in January gets blamed, abandoned, or labeled as “not working for my child.”
But the issue isn’t sleep training—it’s how it’s approached.
What Actually Works Instead
The families who succeed with sleep training in January do these things first:
1. Reset the Schedule Before Fixing the Sleep
Consistent wake times, realistic nap expectations, and earlier bedtimes matter more than any method.
2. Lower the Bar (Temporarily)
This is not the month for perfection. It’s the month for consistency. Focus on managing your expectations and establishing solid routines.
3. Focus on Regulation Before Independence
An overstimulated, overtired child can’t learn new sleep skills. Regulation comes first—something I learned quickly, managing a room full of toddlers for 13 years.
After the holidays, it's often overwhelming to figure out your starting point. If you are looking for some direction and need to focus on priorities, grab my FREE Toddler Checklist here. It will help you narrow down your focus and give you specific places to start.
A Better January Sleep Goal
Instead of “perfect sleep,” aim for:
- Fewer night wakings
- Less bedtime chaos
- More predictability
When sleep training in January is done with realistic expectations and the right foundation, it does work—and it sticks.
And if you’re reading this while exhausted, doubting yourself, and wondering why this feels harder than Instagram promised—trust me, you’re not failing. January is just… January.
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