Evie Summers
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep by themselves. While there is no perfect age for sleep training, most babies are developmentally ready by 4 to 6 months old. However, sleep training a 1-year-old comes with its own set of challenges, such as mobility and budding independence. The good news is that 12-month-olds are very sleep-trainable, and there are a variety of methods that can be used, such as establishing comforting bedtime rituals, using a lovey or nightlight, and setting consistent nap schedules. Sleep training can take longer for toddlers than younger babies, and it's important to be realistic and patient during the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal age for sleep training | 4-6 months |
| Number of hours of sleep required for a 1-year-old | 12-16 hours in a 24-hour period |
| Number of hours of sleep required for a 1-year-old at night | 7-10 hours |
| Time taken to sleep train a 1-year-old | 2 weeks or more |
| Techniques | Crying it out, pick up and put down, longer and longer, comforting bedtime rituals, OK-to-wake clock |
| Factors to consider | Child's temperament, sleep-training method, consistency, collective attitude of the household |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep training methods for 1-year-olds
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep by themselves, whether that's at the beginning of the night or when they wake up in the middle of the night. While there is no one "best" sleep training method, the ideal approach will depend on your child's temperament, your goals and parenting style, as well as your ability to remain consistent.
The Fading Technique
This method involves gradually reducing the amount of assistance your child needs to fall asleep. For example, if your child usually falls asleep while feeding, you can start by trading the feeding for rocking, then gradually reduce the rocking until you are putting them in the crib while they are still awake.
The Chair Method
This is a gradual sleep training technique where you sit in a chair next to your child's crib while they learn to fall asleep on their own. Over time, the chair is moved further away from the crib and closer to the door until you are out of the room. This method is often used after the fading technique.
Pick-Up, Put Down
This method is a combination of the "pick-up, put-down" and the chair method. You put your child down in their crib, and if they get upset, you briefly comfort them and then put them down again. You repeat this process until they fall asleep.
Longer and Longer
This method is a twist on the "cry it out" approach. You put your child through their comforting bedtime routine, put them into their crib, say good night, and exit. After three minutes, you pop your head in to make sure they're okay and offer comforting words. Then, wait five minutes, then 10 minutes, and so on, gradually increasing the waiting interval until your child falls asleep.
5-Minute Check-Ins
This method involves doing 5-minute check-ins when your child wakes up in the middle of the night. You briefly comfort your child and then leave the room, gradually increasing the time before returning until they fall back asleep on their own.
It's important to remember that sleep training can be a bumpy road, and it may take a few weeks to see results. Consistency is key, and it's normal to hit a few bumps in the road before making progress. Additionally, sleep training is not an exact science, and there may be external factors that affect your child's sleep, such as teething, stuffy noses, or outside noises.
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How long it takes to sleep train a 1-year-old
The time it takes to sleep train a 1-year-old varies depending on the child's temperament, the sleep-training method, and the consistency of the caregivers. While some parents report seeing improvements in their child's sleep within a few days, others may take a few weeks or even months to see complete success.
It's important to note that sleep training is not an exact science, and there are many factors that can influence how long it takes. For example, the child's temperament can play a role, as some children may be more resistant to change or have a stronger desire for parental presence at bedtime. The chosen sleep-training method can also impact the timeline, with gradual approaches like the fading technique or the chair method taking longer than more direct methods like the "cry it out" approach.
Additionally, the consistency of the caregivers is crucial. Being consistent with the chosen sleep-training method and maintaining a predictable bedtime routine can help expedite the process. It's also important to be patient and persistent, as there may be setbacks or rough nights along the way.
On average, most parents can expect to see some progress within 3 to 4 nights when using a gradual or total extinction technique. However, gentle methods that minimize crying may take longer, and it's not uncommon for sleep training to take a few weeks or even longer to be fully effective.
It's worth noting that sleep training a 1-year-old may take longer than sleep training a younger baby. This is because toddlers are more active and may have a stronger desire for independence, which can make the process more challenging. Additionally, factors such as teething, stuffy noses, outside noises, constipation, and separation anxiety can impact a 1-year-old's sleep and may prolong the sleep training process.
In summary, sleep training a 1-year-old can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or even months, depending on a variety of factors. The key to success is finding a method that aligns with the family's values, being consistent with the chosen approach, and having patience throughout the process.
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The impact of temperament on sleep training
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep independently. While some babies can start sleep training earlier than 4 months, most babies are developmentally ready for sleep training by 6 months old. However, sleep training a 1-year-old comes with its own set of challenges, such as mobility and budding independence.
Temperament plays a direct and forceful role in children's sleep. Children with a "difficult" temperament (hard to soothe, prone to crying) tend to have more sleep problems. Traits like intensity and reactivity, adaptability and distractibility, low and high sensory thresholds, as well as some positive traits like sociability, extroversion, and engagement, all directly and negatively impact sleep. In a large parent survey on temperament and sleep, temperament traits predicted every aspect of challenging sleep, including poor sleepy signals, difficulty falling asleep independently, and frequent wakings.
"Difficult" babies usually do best with consistent boundaries and lots of preparation. Gradual methods may be more drawn out and troublesome for these babies. A systematic approach is recommended, where parents respond in the same way each time. On the other hand, "slow to warm" babies will do well with gradual and supportive methods coupled with consistency. Easily distracted babies will likely respond better to gradual sleep training, while a baby who cannot be distracted may be better suited to a faster transition.
It is important to note that temperament is often overlooked in sleep training research and advice, which tends to focus on parental behaviour as the primary cause of sleep problems. However, inborn traits like temperament play a significant role in sleep development, and sleep training methods should consider a child's temperament for optimal success.
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The impact of naps on sleep training
Naps are often the most complicated part of sleep training. During the first week of sleep training, your baby may learn to fall asleep quickly and independently for their nap but may not be able to connect sleep cycles, resulting in shorter naps. Being able to connect sleep cycles during naps comes with time and consistent practice.
It is recommended to focus on teaching your baby to fall asleep independently at naptime during the first week of sleep training. It will take longer for your child to develop this skill during the day than at night because they are less tired. It may take a week for your child to learn to fall asleep quickly during the day and then give it a good two weeks for them to be able to connect sleep cycles. Learning to connect sleep cycles during the day is even harder than learning to fall asleep independently at naptime. This is because, after one sleep cycle, there is less adenosine in the body left to drive the next nap. As a result, children are even less motivated to fall back to sleep.
A completely dark environment is key for naps during sleep training. If your baby sees that it's still light out, they will be less motivated to fall asleep. It is also recommended to lie your baby down 15 minutes before you want them to be asleep. This is usually the perfect amount of time for a baby to get bored and self-soothe to sleep without getting fussy. Try for at least an hour. Once your baby falls asleep, give them at least an hour to fall asleep. If your child is consistently resisting sleep in that hour, you may want to consider 1.5 hours.
If your child is 7 months or older, it is best to apply the same strategy at bedtime and naps. This is because babies at this age are developing a stronger understanding of the connection between cause and effect. If your baby is struggling with short naps, start practising your sleep training techniques during the first nap and possibly the second, depending on how things are going. Give them a break for naps 3 and 4 and use the car or stroller to help them get some good sleep. The goal here is to avoid pushing your baby into overtiredness territory.
If your 12-month-old's naps are too long and too close to bedtime, it will make going to bed in the evening difficult. To help, make sure your baby doesn't nap for over 2 hours and wakes from their nap at least four hours before bedtime. Most 1-year-olds happily take two naps a day, but between 12 and 18 months, some may be ready to drop a nap.
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The impact of separation anxiety on sleep training
Separation anxiety is one of the most common concerns for parents considering sleep training. It is completely normal for parents to feel upset or like they are abandoning their child when they are experiencing separation anxiety. However, it is important to remember that separation anxiety can impact your child's sleep and sleep training progress.
Separation anxiety can cause your toddler to resist bedtime or cry repeatedly during the night. It may also lead to new sleep challenges and contribute to sleep regression, which is a sudden worsening of sleep patterns. During this time, your child may wake up more frequently and may need extra comfort and reassurance. It is important to handle these situations with a loving and consistent approach, as giving in to short-term solutions, such as rocking them to sleep or staying in their room until they fall asleep, can create new sleep associations that may be challenging to change even after the separation anxiety has passed.
To help your child through separation anxiety, you can provide comfort and reassurance through patting and soothing techniques. Offering a lovey, such as a cuddly toy, can also provide your child with a sense of security and comfort. Additionally, establishing comforting bedtime rituals, such as turning off screens, dimming the lights, and engaging in quiet play or reading, can help your child fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
It is important to remember that separation anxiety is typically a temporary phase, and it usually ends by the time a toddler is three years old. However, every child is unique, and the duration and intensity of separation anxiety may vary. By providing support and comfort while encouraging your child's independence, you can successfully navigate through this challenging time and improve their sleep patterns.
Sleep training a one-year-old can be challenging due to their growing mobility and independence. However, it is a good age to start as they are developmentally ready and capable of learning to self-soothe. The process may take about two weeks, and you can expect bumps along the way. Remember to be patient and consistent, and consider seeking advice from pediatric sleep consultants if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Ample long-term research has studied sleep training, and there is no evidence of any physical or psychological damage to babies and children. Sleep training is safe and healthy as long as your baby is old enough and in a safe environment.
Establish comforting bedtime rituals. About an hour before bedtime, turn off all screens, dim the lights, and engage in quiet play or reading. After 30 minutes, turn on low white noise. You can also add a bath, massage, quiet cuddling, or singing into the routine.
It may take two or so weeks to sleep train a 1-year-old. If you're still struggling after about three weeks, it's time to take a break and reevaluate your strategy and your child's readiness.
One method is the "longer and longer" method, also known as the "cry it out" method. After putting your toddler to bed, let them cry for three minutes. Then, pop your head in to let them know you haven't left. Repeat this process, gradually increasing the time intervals.
