Sleep training. It's a phrase that can fill new parents with dread or excitement. Depending on your sleep situation, it may be something you're eagerly anticipating or something you're desperately trying to avoid. No matter where you fall on the sleep training spectrum, it's essential to have a general understanding of what sleep training is, when to start and what to expect. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. So let's get started and hopefully provide a little more sleep for everyone.
What is sleep training?
Sleep training refers to any number of methods or techniques used to help a toddler learn how to sleep independently. There are many different sleep training approaches, but the most common involve gradually teaching your child to fall asleep and stay asleep on their own. So, how does this work?
Sleep training usually starts with establishing a bedtime routine and sticking to it like clockwork and being strict about bedtime or farewell to all the progress you’ve made.
The second step is to put your child down for bed when they’re still awake but drowsy. This means no more late-night cuddles or rocking your child to sleep.
The third step is checking in on them, but only if they’re making noise or if they haven’t fallen asleep within a reasonable amount of time. Otherwise, you should let them be and allow them to learn how to soothe themselves to sleep.
The fourth and final step is to gradually reduce the time you spend checking in on them. Eventually, your child will learn how to fall asleep on their own and will be able to sleep through the night.
When should you start sleep training?
The short answer is: it depends. I know, not a definitive answer, but bear with me. Every child is different and will reach developmental milestones at other times. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. As a general rule, most sleep experts recommend starting sleep training when your toddler is around six months old.
However, suppose you’re experiencing sleep problems with your child before six months old or feel like you can’t wait any longer for them to start sleeping through the night. In that case, there is no harm in starting earlier. Just be sure to speak with your pediatrician first to make sure they are developmentally ready for sleep training.
What can you expect during sleep training?
Again, this varies from child to child. Some children will take the process like a duck to water and fall asleep within minutes of being put down in their crib. Others may take a little longer and require more patience. This means that there may be restless nights and a lot of crying (both from the child and the parents) in the beginning. But hang in there. This doesn’t mean rocking your child in your arms until one of your arms goes numb.
There are many different sleep training techniques that can help you achieve success. For example, using a pacifier or white noise machine may help soothe your child and make it easier for them to fall asleep independently. Sleep training can be a complicated process, but it’s ultimately worth it. By teaching your child how to sleep independently, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of good quality sleep on their own. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? But like everything with parenting, there’s a lot more to it than that.
Best practices for sleep training
There are a few key things to keep in mind when training your toddler. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Be patient. This process can take time, and there is no set timeline for how long it will take.
- Stay consistent. Follow the same bedtime routine each night and be strict about bedtime.
- Create a positive sleep environment. Make sure your child’s bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
- Avoid letting them sleep in your bed. This will only make it more difficult for them to learn how to sleep independently.
- Don’t give up. It’s essential to be persistent and consistent with sleep training to be successful.
What might help
A few things can help your toddler get a good night’s sleep. Here are some of the most common ones:
Some parents use sleep aids like noise machines or blackout curtains to help their children sleep.
Tired minds don’t plan well. Sleep first, plan later.
Walter Reisch
If your child is waking up in the night, you can try to soothe them back to sleep by patting them on the back or rubbing their back.
Remember, every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Don’t be discouraged if you’re struggling to get your child to sleep through the night. Many different sleep training techniques can help you achieve success. Now let’s get into a few sleep techniques to bring your little one to dreamland and your parenting skills to the next level.
Sleep training techniques
The Ferber Method
This sleep training technique was developed by Dr. Richard Ferber, a pediatrician and sleep expert. This method aims to help your child learn how to fall asleep on their own.
Here’s how it works:
- Start by putting your child to bed awake but drowsy. This means they should be in their crib and ready for sleep but not yet asleep.
- Leave them alone for a few minutes and then check on them. If they’re still awake, leave them alone again. Do this until they fall asleep.
- The next night, increase the amount of time you leave them alone before checking on them.
- Once your child can fall asleep on their own without needing help from you, you can stop checking on them altogether and go enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep yourself.
The Pick Up/Put Down Method
This sleep training technique is based on the idea that your child will eventually learn to fall asleep on their own if you put them down in their crib. At the same time, they’re still awake and then pick them up again when they wake up.
Here’s how it works:
- Start by putting your child to bed while they’re still awake.
- If they start crying, pick them up and comfort them but don’t put them back down in their crib until they’re calm.
- Once your child is quiet, put them back down in their crib and leave the room.
- If they start crying again, repeat the process of picking them up and putting them down until they fall asleep.
- Increase the amount of time you leave your child alone in their crib each night until they’re able to sleep through the night without crying.
The Cry it Out Method
This sleep training technique is also known as the extinction method. The goal of this method is to make your child so frustrated with not being able to sleep that they eventually give up and fall asleep on their own.
Here’s how it works:
- Start by putting your child to bed while they’re still awake.
- If they start crying, let them cry until they fall asleep. I know this may hurt your heart hearing them cry, but it’s essential to be firm and consistent with this method.
- Repeat this process each night until your child can sleep through the night without crying.
While all of these sleep training techniques can successfully teach your child how to sleep through the night, it’s important to note that not every method will work for every child. Don’t be discouraged if you’re struggling to get your child to sleep through the night. Many different sleep training techniques and sleep aids can help you achieve success. Believe me, this is new territory, as I have been down this path, raising two girls. Be brave, be consistent, and believe in your ability to help get your toddler the sleep they need.
Who knows, by implementing some of these sleep techniques, you may just get a few more hours of peace and quiet for yourself.
Sum it up:
Parenting is no easy task, and sleep training can be one of the most challenging aspects. But don’t worry; many different techniques can help you get your child to sleep through the night. Try out a few until you find one that works best for your family.
And remember, be brave, be consistent, and believe in yourself. So put on your game face – you can do this! And in the meantime, go enjoy a few extra hours of peace and quiet. You deserve it!
Now that you know more about sleep training, which technique will work best for your family? Comment below and let us know!
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