Getting started
Begin your regular night routine by putting your child in bed without nursing, rocking, or bouncing to sleep.

Soothing
Initially, soothe your child with your voice. If that doesn’t work, and you hear a more urgent cry or feel that the cry is asking for help, pick your child up.

Responding to an urgent cry
Once picked up, soothe your child any way you can; you can bounce, rock, sing, or talk. Continue until your child has calmed down or the cry has changed from a more urgent cry to a fussing or whiny cry.

Back into bed
Pop them back into bed. Don’t worry if they jump back up, roll over, or get to sitting again. At this stage, they wonder why you are not helping them sleep like you always have.
It’s okay to talk to your child to settle them, and you may find being a little hands-on helpful when soothing. Don’t be afraid to touch your child at this stage if it helps.

Keep going
Repeat picking them up, soothing as needed. As long as you pop your child back into bed when they have calmed and before they have fallen asleep (or gotten drowsy), you can’t go wrong.
If your child is sitting or standing in the crib and doesn’t need picking up to soothe, lay them back down every 3 to 5 minutes.
Repeat until your child becomes sleepy and tired. You can tell when your child grows tired as they don’t jump up as quickly. They may roll around, rub their head against the mattress, or seem to slow down physically; this is your cue for a change in tactic.

Hands-on comfort and help to sleep
Now, you want to lean over the bed and be hands-on. You can rub his head or chest or pat his back. Singing, talking, or shushing may also help your child sleep. Of course, you can continue to pick up if needed. 

Gradual withdrawal
Take your time, don’t rush off as soon as your child has fallen asleep. First, gradually stop talking, singing, or shushing. After a few minutes, stop the patting or rubbing, but keep your hand on your child for a minute or two and then lift your hands.

Night feeds
If you are continuing to have night feeds, use the same technique throughout the night when it is not feed time.

Eliminate support
Every 4th night, eliminate one aspect of how you were helping your child to get to sleep. You may start by removing the patting or the shushing.
After four nights of the new, reduced pattern, eliminate one more element.
Continue removing the help every fourth night until your child gets to sleep without your help.
By implementing this method thoughtfully, you can help your child develop healthy sleep habits while still providing the support they need during the transition.