Sleep Training a 5-Year-Old: A Real Success Story.
- info4154956
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 8
By: Sarah Bossio, Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert
Is your 5-year-old still struggling with sleep? You’re not alone. Many parents assume sleep training is only for babies and toddlers, but older children can still learn healthy sleep habits. The good news? It’s never too late to make a change.
Studies show that a structured sleep plan can help reduce bedtime resistance and night wakings—often in just a couple of weeks. If bedtime battles and nighttime wake-ups are exhausting your family, this story will give you hope and a clear path forward.
Meet Oscar: A 5-Year-Old Who Wouldn’t Sleep.
Oscar (not his real name) was caught in a cycle of poor sleep. His parents were drained, and bedtime felt like a never-ending struggle.
His Sleep Challenges:
He needed a parent in the room to fall asleep.
Constant requests for “one more story” or “one more sip of water.”
Frequent night wakings, often claiming to have nightmares.
His parents were frustrated and exhausted. But with a clear sleep plan, everything changed.
The Sleep Training Plan: What Worked
Step 1: Meeting His Emotional Needs Before Bedtime
Many bedtime struggles aren’t about sleep—they’re about connection. When children feel secure and valued, they’re less likely to stall at bedtime.
What We Did:
Set aside 15 minutes of focused, one-on-one time before bed.
Why It Worked:
Oscar felt heard, loved, and secure.
He no longer needed to stretch out bedtime for extra attention.
Try This: Spend 10-15 minutes of distraction-free time with your child before bed: no phones, no to-do lists, just connection.
Step 2: The “Ticket Out of Bed” System
Many children resist sleep because they fear feeling trapped in their room. Giving them a sense of control can help.
The Solution:
Oscar received two “Get Out of Bed” passes per night.
He could use them if he genuinely needed to leave his room.
What Happened:
He used one ticket right away (to test the system!).
The second ticket? He rarely used it. Just knowing he had the option was enough.
Key Insight: When kids know they can do something, they often don’t need to.
Step 3: Helping Him Fall Asleep Without a Parent in the Room
Many sleep struggles come from a simple issue: If a child falls asleep with a parent beside them, they expect the same when they wake up at night.
The Fix:
A consistent bedtime routine without sitting with him until he fell asleep.
Timed check-ins at night instead of staying in the room.
Why This Works:
Children must know that their sleep environment will be the same all night.
No “disappearing acts” = less anxiety = better sleep.
If you’ve Been Sneaking Out, Try gradual check-ins instead. They lead to real, long-term sleep success.
The Results: Night-by-Night Progress
Night 1:
It took 1 hour to fall asleep.
I woke up at 3:20 AM but fell back asleep in 23 minutes.
Night 7:
I fell asleep in 30 minutes (colossal improvement!).
Used one ticket, but no night wakings.
Night 10:
Mom wasn’t home → Used a ticket to check in with Dad.
Instead of staying awake for hours, he went back to sleep.
Important Note: Sleep training isn’t always linear—setbacks happen, but progress continues.
The Sleep Transformation: Two Weeks Later
After just two weeks, Oscar was: ✅ Falling asleep independently in 20-30 minutes. ✅ Sleeping through the night. ✅ No longer waking up with “nightmares.”
Big Takeaway: Sleep struggles are rarely just about sleep. When children feel secure and confident, sleep improves naturally.
Summing Up!
If bedtime is a battle, start here: ✔ Fill your child’s emotional cup before bed. ✔ Use a ticket system to manage night wake-ups. ✔ Teach them to fall asleep without you in the room.
Need more support? I’m here to help. 📞 Book a personalized sleep consultation: YourZenBabySleep.com
💬 Drop your questions in the comments! 📢 Like & share if this story helped you. 🔔 Subscribe for more real-life sleep success stories!
Did you know? I also host a weekly Q&A on my Instagram. Tune in or send me a DM on the 'gram!
I work with families one-on-one all the time who are experiencing issues with their babies' naps, overnight sleep, and more. If this sounds like you, please book a 15-minute sleep assessment call just so I can understand a little bit more about your child's sleep and then explain ways that I can work one-on-one with you to get it in order.
May your coffee be warm,
Sarah
Sarah is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert based in the NY/NJ Tri-State area and has helped over 500 families worldwide get their sleep back on track.
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