What Is the ‘Le Pause’ Method of Sleep Training – and Can It Work for Your Baby?

In recent months, I’ve become increasingly fascinated by how different cultures approach baby sleep. One method that has sparked my curiosity is Le Pause – a French-inspired approach popularised by Pamela Druckerman in her book Bringing Up Bébé.

Rather than being a strict sleep training method, Le Pause is best described as more of a parenting philosophy - one that encourages calm observation, confidence, and allowing babies the space to develop self-soothing skills.

So what exactly is Le Pause, and how can parents in the UK apply it?

French Parenting vs Anglophone Parenting: A Different Mindset

Pamela Druckerman describes how French parenting differs from her experiences of UK and US parents:

• French parenting is often described as calm, confident, and enjoyable

• Anglophone parenting is more frequently described as intense, exhausting, and anxiety-driven

  
  

This contrast isn’t just Pamela’s opinion -a Princeton research study found that mothers in Ohio, US rated parenting as twice as unpleasant as mothers in Rennes, France.

One of the most interesting observations in Bringing Up Bébé is that many French babies were reported to sleep through the night from as early as two to three months of age.

But before you fall off your chair in shock that babies are being ‘sleep trained’ as early as two months, it’s important to know that Le Pause isn’t about forcing independence too early. Instead, it’s about creating the conditions for babies to practise settling, while still having a caregiver nearby.

Babies are encouraged to self settle in a supportive and responsive way

What Is ‘Le Pause’?

In principal, Le Pause simply means waiting before intervening.

French parents recognise that babies are noisy sleepers. They grunt, squirm, cry out briefly, and transition between sleep cycles roughly every two hours. Rather than responding immediately to every sound, parents pause, observe, and think about what their baby actually needs.

Pamela Druckerman explains:

When a French baby cries in the night, parents go in, pause, and observe for a few minutes. Often the baby settles on their own. If the baby truly wakes and cries properly, they are comforted and picked up.

In contrast, many UK and US parents rush in at the first whimper – often waking a baby fully when they may have been able to settle on their own.

Le Pause Is Not Cry-It-Out

This distinction is important.

Le Pause is not:

• Cry-it-out

• Leaving a distressed baby unattended

• Ignoring your baby’s needs

  
  

Instead, it’s about responding thoughtfully rather than reactively. You’re still near your baby, still responsive, and still offering comfort when your baby genuinely needs it.

One parent who tried Le Pause shared:

“I learned how to pause to my own anxiety — learning that much of the time, there was nothing wrong.”

Risa Kerslake, I Tried “Le Pause” With My Newborn, & It Was A Game-Changer

Often, this pause benefits the parent as much as the baby.

Why Is This So Hard for Parents?

The world of modern parenting in the UK and the US can make us more anxious due to:

• Video monitors amplifying every sound and movement

• Room sharing for 6–12 months or beyond

• Guilt-tripping parents into believing that babies must be soothed instantly

  
  

While room sharing and being responsive to our babnies are important, intervening too much can sometimes interrupt sleep, making it harder for them to practise self-settling.

What Can We Learn From the French Approach?

French parenting values:

• Independence alongside strong boundaries

• Confidence in a child’s capabilities

• Less “helicopter parenting” and more calm leadership

  
  

When applied to sleep, this means:

• Not rushing in at every noise

• Avoiding unnecessary sleep associations

• Trusting your baby to work through light sleep transitions

  
  

As Dr Craig Canapari (Director of the Yale Paediatric Sleep Centre) explains:

“Parents worry that they will harm the child (by sleep training), but I can reassure you that this is not the case.”

How to Practise ‘Le Pause’ with Your Baby

Here’s how you can gently incorporate Le Pause into your baby’s sleep routine:

• When your baby grunts, whimpers, or briefly cries, pause for a moment

• Observe: Are their eyes still closed? Are they settling?

• Give them a short opportunity to resettle on their own

• If crying escalates or your baby needs support, respond calmly and confidently

  
  

This approach allows your baby to learn how they like to settle, while knowing you’re always there when needed.

Final Thoughts

Le Pause isn’t about being hands-off or rigid. It’s about confidence, patience, and trust – in your baby and in yourself.

By pausing before intervening, you may find your baby settles more easily, sleep becomes less stressful, and bedtime feels calmer for everyone.

If you’d like personalised guidance on supporting your baby’s sleep in a responsive, developmentally appropriate way, There are a few ways I can help...

The Snooze Package - Sleep plan and 2 weeks support

Downloadable Sleep Guides - Available from newborn to 4 years