How to Make Sleep Training Work for Daycare or Babysitters

29 June 2025

Let’s be honest — sleep training isn't exactly a walk in the park. You put in the hard work, survive a few sleepless nights, and finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Then comes the curveball: what happens when your little one has to nap at daycare or stay with a babysitter? Suddenly, all that effort can feel like it’s about to unravel.

Don’t worry — you’re not alone. A lot of parents hit this snag. It’s totally possible to keep your sleep training on track even when someone else is watching your child. You just need a game plan.

In this post, we’ll break down how to make sleep training work like a charm even when you’re not the one putting your baby down for naps or bedtime. Whether it’s a daycare center, a loving grandma, or the neighborhood babysitter, there’s a way to make it work. So, let’s dive into it.

Why Sleep Training Gets Tricky with Daycare or Babysitters

Picture this: you’ve established a consistent bedtime routine at home. You even have the perfect wind-down playlist and a "lovey" your baby clings to like a sleep-deprived college student clutches coffee. And then — bam — your baby goes to daycare and naps go off the rails.

Why the chaos?

Well, caregivers often have a different schedule, environment, and sometimes even a different approach to naps. It’s not always intentional. They’re juggling multiple kids, and your baby’s custom sleep plan might not be front and center.

That said, with a little patience and communication, you can bridge the gap between home and outside care. Let’s talk strategy.

Step 1: Nail Down Your Sleep Training at Home First

Before trying to get others on board, make sure your baby is already responding well to sleep training at home. That doesn’t mean things have to be perfect — let’s be real, kids have off days too — but there should be a solid routine in place.

Does your baby fall asleep independently (at least sometimes)? Is there a consistent nap and bedtime routine? Are you seeing more predictable sleep patterns?

This foundation will make it easier for others to follow suit and help your baby adapt to sleep time no matter where they are.

Step 2: Communicate Like a Pro

Here’s the thing: your daycare provider or babysitter is not a mind reader. You’ve got to lay it all out — clearly, kindly, and consistently.

What to Share:

- Your baby's routine (nap times, bedtime, wind-down cues).
- How your baby falls asleep (with or without rocking, pacifier, white noise, etc.).
- Your sleep training method (Are you using the Ferber Method? Going full-on CIO? Gentle fading?).
- Troubleshooting tips (What works when your baby is overtired? Any signs your caregiver should watch for?).

Print it out or text it to them — whatever works best. The key is to be clear and collaborative, not demanding.

Step 3: Be Flexible (Yes, Really)

Let’s just rip the band-aid: daycare might not (and often can’t) follow your sleep training protocol to a T.

But that’s okay.

Most babies are more adaptable than we give them credit for. The goal here is consistency over time, not perfection every single nap.

For instance, you may notice that your baby sleeps less at daycare — and makes up for it at home with longer naps or earlier bedtimes. That’s totally normal.

Sleep training is like learning a new instrument: your baby may hit a few off notes now and then, but with practice (and a little give-and-take), they’ll catch on.

Step 4: Align on a Routine (as Much as Possible)

While daycare providers can’t always adjust everything for one child, many are happy to try and align on basics like:

- Nap start times (within a reasonable window)
- Using a comfort item from home
- Keeping a quiet, calm nap area
- Using the same white noise app or machine

If your child is in a smaller daycare or with a nanny, you might have more flexibility to tailor the routine more closely to what you do at home.

Pro tip: Daycares love when a child can fall asleep easily — it makes their jobs easier. So if you show them that your routine works, they’ll be more likely to stick to it.

Step 5: Make a Sleep Kit for Outside Care

Let’s talk tools. If you want a smoother transition, pack a mini “sleep survival kit” for wherever your baby will be napping.

Here’s what to include:
- A familiar sleep sack or swaddle (if age-appropriate)
- A stuffed animal or lovey (check that it’s allowed)
- A portable white noise machine
- Pacifiers, if they use them
- A printed copy of your nap/bedtime routine

Having these little comforts can make even the most unfamiliar setting feel a bit more like home.

Step 6: Stay Consistent at Home

You can’t always control what happens outside your house, but you can double down on routine and consistency when your little one is back home.

So if your baby didn’t nap well at daycare?
— Offer an earlier bedtime.

If they were rocked to sleep for naps but usually fall asleep independently?
— Stick to your usual bedtime process at home. No need to undo your hard work.

Over time, your consistency at home becomes the anchor. Even if daycare or a sitter handles things a bit differently, your baby will start to understand what’s expected.

Step 7: Have Backup Strategies for Rough Days

Let’s face it — even the best-laid plans sometimes fall apart. Your baby may go through a regression, a new caregiver might struggle with the routine, or teething could throw the whole house off for a week.

Keep a few backup strategies in your pocket:
- Earlier bedtimes to make up for missed naps
- One-on-one time after a daycare day to reconnect and calm your baby
- Short-term flexibility — it’s okay to offer a little help falling asleep when your baby is sick or going through a tough phase

The key is not to panic. Rough days happen. With sleep training, the long game always wins.

Step 8: Revisit Your Plan Regularly

Your baby’s sleep needs will change—especially in the first year or two.

That nap schedule you set up at 6 months? It might be totally off by 10 months. Regularly check in with your daycare or babysitter to make sure you’re all still on the same page.

Ask:
- Are nap times still working?
- Has anything changed in their behavior before or after naps?
- Are they falling asleep more easily or resisting nap time?

Staying in sync helps avoid confusion and keeps everyone rowing in the same direction — even if it’s not a perfectly straight line.

When Your Caregiver or Daycare Isn’t On Board

Alright, it’s awkward, but we have to go there. What if your babysitter or daycare provider isn’t following your plan — at all?

First, try to approach it with curiosity, not criticism. Ask:
- "What are you noticing when it’s time for naps?"
- "Is anything making it hard to follow the routine?"

Then offer support. Maybe they need more clarity on your process, or they need tools (like a white noise machine) to create a better nap environment.

If all else fails and it’s really causing sleep issues or stress for your child, it might be time to reassess the fit. Finding a caregiver that aligns with your parenting style can make a huge difference.

Final Thoughts: Your Baby Can Learn to Sleep Anywhere

Let’s wrap it up with a bit of encouragement — babies are way more adaptable than we sometimes give them credit for. Sure, sleep training with daycare or a babysitter takes a bit more coordination, but it’s absolutely doable.

With clear communication, a little flexibility, and a lot of consistency at home, your baby can learn to sleep well no matter who’s watching them. There might be bumps along the way, but hey, that’s parenting, right?

You’ve got this — and your baby will thank you (eventually… probably not at 3 a.m., but someday).