When parents hear “sleep training,” many immediately think one thing: cry it out.

But are sleep training and "cry it out" really the same thing?

In this episode of the Surviving Tiny Humans podcast, Dr. Kailey Buller breaks down one of the most common misunderstandings in baby sleep.

We unpack:

• Why sleep training became synonymous with cry-it-out in the first place
• The difference between extinction, modified extinction (Ferber), and total extinction
• Why night weaning and sleep training are not the same thing
• Parent-present methods like pick-up/put-down, the sleep ladder, and the Sleep Lady Shuffle
• Why some crying is often part of learning—but that doesn’t mean neglect
• How temperament and family capacity matter more than internet opinions

This episode also introduces a flexible, customizable approach Dr. Buller calls the “Block Method”—a simple, developmentally appropriate system that allows you to choose:

• how long you might expect baby to go between feeds
• how much reassurance you provide
• and how much independence you’re ready for

Because sleep training isn’t one rigid method. It’s a spectrum of tools—and some families truly need those tools.

Key takeaway:

Sleep training is optional.

Cry-it-out is one method—not the definition.

And you’re allowed to choose the approach that protects both your baby’s sleep and your sanity.

If this episode helped, take a look at the Sleep Quick Tools linked here:

https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep-quicktools

These are easy-to-implement supports that can help

• decipher night wakings
• navigate sleep regressions
• create a sustainable (and fair) overnight plan

Or, for more guidance on what to know and how to start supporting sleep, download the free “7 Lies You’ve Been Sold About Sleep Training” guide:

https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep7

And, as always, be sure to follow so you don't miss the next episode!

Newborn crying can feel endless — and when you’re sleep-deprived, it’s hard to know what’s normal and what might be something more.

In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans, Dr. Kailey Buller breaks down the difference between typical newborn crying (yes, it can be hours a day) and colic, using the classic “rule of threes” — and explains why colic isn’t really a diagnosis so much as a description of how much crying is happening.

We’ll walk through the most common reasons babies cry excessively, including:

• an overstimulated nervous system (and how to use the 7 S’s to soothe)

• reflux (what to look for, and how to troubleshoot)

• an immature GI system (and simple ways to help)

You’ll also learn one of the most practical, low-risk things to try if your baby is colicky or fussy, like reducing cow’s milk protein (not lactose) in your diet or choosing the right type of hydrolyzed formula.

And at the end, Dr. Buller shares one of the only supplements with solid evidence for helping colic .

If you’re in the trenches with a baby who won’t settle, this episode will help you feel less helpless and more clear on what’s worth trying next.

If you want an even deeper breakdown, Surviving Tiny Humans covers colic and troubleshooting in more detail:

https://a.co/d/0hNEhhnH

Resources mentioned: the 7 S’s, cow’s milk protein vs lactose, and the probiotic Lactobacillus Reuteri -- strain DSM 17938.

And don't forget to follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage!

Does sleep training harm your baby’s attachment… or their brain?

If you’ve ever heard “crying raises cortisol, cortisol is the stress hormone, so sleep training is harmful” and felt completely uneasy about the idea of prioritizing sleep — this episode is for you.

In this 10-Minute Triage, Dr. Kailey Buller slows the fear down and breaks it apart with calm, evidence-based clarity. We’ll cover what secure attachment actually is (and what it isn’t), why cortisol gets misunderstood online, and what high-quality research shows about sleep training and long-term outcomes — including when there’s some crying involved.

You’ll also hear what is associated with harm (hint: chronic stress, severe sleep deprivation, and untreated parental distress matter), why short stress isn’t the same as trauma, and when sleep training might not be the right move right now.

If you’ve been stuck in the exhausted-anxious loop, afraid to make any change in case you “do damage,” consider this your permission to be precise — not dramatic.

Grab the “7 Sleep Training Lies” guide linked here:

https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep7

Next up: Sleep training doesn’t have to mean cry-it-out — we’ll talk options and how to choose a method that fits your baby and your nervous system.