Ashwin Lewis
Sleep training is a common practice that parents use to help their babies sleep through the night. While some parents swear by it, others worry that letting a baby cry is harmful. The goal of sleep training is for babies to learn to self-soothe and sleep for several hours through the night on their own. There are several methods of sleep training, such as the 'cry-it-out' method, also known as extinction, where parents put their baby to bed and then leave the room, not responding if the baby cries. While some studies have found that sleep training programs work, others have found that they don't always lead to better sleep for babies and can even be harmful. Additionally, there is limited research on the long-term effects of sleep training, and it may not be suitable for all families or babies. Ultimately, the decision to sleep train is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
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What You'll Learn
Sleep training methods
The goal of sleep training is to teach your baby to fall asleep independently and self-soothe when they wake up. While some parents swear by sleep training, others choose not to sleep train their baby for various reasons. Some parents worry that letting their baby cry is harmful, while others believe that their baby is too young or that there may be an underlying medical issue.
Cry-It-Out (CIO) or Extinction Method
This is one of the most well-known sleep training methods. With this approach, parents take their baby through a bedtime routine, cuddle with them, and then leave the room. If the baby cries, the parent does not respond. The baby will eventually tire themselves out or self-soothe back to sleep. Proponents of this method say that it works quickly, but many parents feel uncomfortable letting their baby cry without comforting them.
Ferber Method
This popular method, developed by Dr. Richard Ferber, allows parents to acknowledge or reassure their baby with timed interval check-ins throughout the night. After putting the baby down when they are tired but still awake, parents will re-enter the room at designated intervals (for example, every three, five, and then ten minutes) to briefly soothe their baby with a word or two. However, parents should not pick up their baby during these check-ins.
Gentle Sleep Training Method
This method focuses on helping your baby learn to sleep on their own without any crying. While there is limited research on this approach, one long-term study found no long-term negative mental health impact on babies or mothers at the two-year and five-year follow-ups.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of sleep training methods can vary, and there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach. The right method for you will depend on your baby's unique needs and preferences, and you may need to adjust and be consistent as you go along.
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Sleep training effectiveness
The effectiveness of sleep training varies depending on the child and the method used. While some parents swear by it, others say that letting a baby cry is harmful. The "cry-it-out" method, also known as extinction or CIO, involves putting a baby to bed and not responding if they cry. While proponents say it works quickly, critics worry that it will cause babies stress and trauma and lead them to think they can't rely on their parents. Research has shown that babies who sleep alone are measurably more stressed, and that their mothers are also stressed, even if they can't hear the crying.
There is limited research on the effectiveness of sleep training, and much of the evidence comes from parents' sleep diaries. While sleep training may accomplish its main goal of getting a baby to stop "signalling" for support when they wake, studies show that sleep-trained babies sleep more or less the same as babies who are not sleep-trained. The longest-term study in this area found that by age two, sleep problems had largely been resolved in both sleep-trained babies and a control group. By age six, there was no difference in sleep patterns between the two groups.
Some parents find that sleep training is the only way for them and their babies to get any sleep. However, for about 20% of babies, sleep training doesn't work. Sleep training may not be effective for children who are too young, experiencing separation anxiety, or have an underlying medical issue. Even if sleep training does work, the effects may not last, and some parents have to redo the training.
There are several different sleep training methods to choose from, and it's important to find the one that works best for your child and your family. Some methods are more gradual and gentle, while others are faster-acting but more likely to involve crying. Consistency is key during sleep training, and it may take a few days or weeks to see results.
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Sleep training and breastfeeding
Sleep training is a common practice that parents turn to in the hopes of getting their babies to sleep independently. While some parents swear by it, others worry that letting a baby cry is harmful. The ""cry-it-out" method, also known as extinction or CIO, involves putting the baby to bed and not responding if they cry. While this method can work quickly, it can be stressful for parents who worry about their baby's well-being.
The goal of sleep training is to help babies sleep through the night and learn to self-soothe if they wake up. While sleep training can be effective for some babies, it's important to note that it doesn't work for everyone. Research suggests that sleep-trained babies sleep more or less the same as babies who are not sleep-trained. Additionally, sleep training may not lead to long-term results, and parents may need to redo the training as the child grows.
When it comes to breastfeeding and sleep training, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, exclusive breastfeeding can already impact a parent's sleep due to the frequent feedings required to maintain milk supply. Second, many sleep training programs are designed for formula-fed babies, as they focus on controlling feeding amounts and schedules, which is not compatible with breastfeeding. These programs often promise that babies will sleep for 8-12 hour stretches, which can be unrealistic and even harmful for breastfed babies, as it may lead to underfeeding and a decrease in milk supply.
However, this doesn't mean that sleep training and breastfeeding are incompatible. Some parents have shared their experiences of successfully combining the two. Gentle sleep training methods, starting around 6 months, can help with resettling without needing to breastfeed every time. Additionally, side-lying breastfeeding can be a useful technique, as it allows the baby to feed and fall back asleep without fully waking up. It's also important to note that as babies start solids, wake-ups related to hunger will naturally decrease.
Overall, when it comes to sleep training and breastfeeding, it's essential to be cautious and consider the baby's age, nutritional needs, and the potential impact on milk supply. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a certified lactation consultant can provide personalized guidance and support.
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Sleep training and cortisol levels
Sleep training is a common practice that parents use to help their babies sleep better. The ultimate goal of sleep training is for the baby to be comfortable sleeping for several hours at night on their own. While some parents swear by it, others are opposed to letting a baby cry and not comforting them.
The Cry It Out (CIO) sleep training method, also known as extinction or Ferber, involves putting the baby to bed through a bedtime routine and then leaving the room. If the baby cries, the parent does not respond. The baby will eventually tire themselves out or self-soothe back to sleep. While this method is popular and proponents say it works quickly, many parents are uncomfortable with this method as they worry it will increase the baby's stress levels, cause trauma, and lead the child to think they cannot rely on their parents.
Research on the effects of sleep training on cortisol levels, often referred to as the "stress hormone", has shown conflicting results. Some studies have found that babies who were sleep-trained using the CIO method had elevated levels of cortisol in their blood, which may lead to "learned helplessness", impairing the human brain's ability to process stress and resulting in anxiety and depression in later childhood and adulthood. On the other hand, a study from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, found that babies who were sleep-trained fell asleep more quickly and woke up less during the night, and they had lower levels of cortisol during the sleep training interventions. Another study found that cortisol levels were far higher in babies and children who were overtired than in those who underwent some form of sleep training.
It is important to note that the research on sleep training and its effects on cortisol levels is limited and flawed, and more independent trials are needed to validate the findings.
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Sleep training and the risk of SIDS
Sleep training is a common practice that parents turn to in the hopes of getting their babies to sleep on their own. The goal of sleep training is to get a baby to be comfortable sleeping for several hours at night on their own. If they wake up, they'll learn to self-soothe and fall back asleep. While sleep training is often believed to help babies sleep better, evidence suggests that sleep-trained babies sleep more or less the same as babies who are not sleep-trained.
Sleep training does not increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) as long as safe sleep practices are followed. SIDS is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant, usually during sleep. It is the most common type of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), with about 4,000 cases occurring in the United States each year. To reduce the risk of SUID, caregivers should provide a high-quality sleep environment and follow safe sleep practices, such as placing babies on their backs to sleep and using a firm sleep surface.
The Cry It Out (CIO) method of sleep training, also known as extinction or full extinction, involves putting the baby to bed, saying goodnight, and then leaving the room, ignoring the baby's cries. While some parents swear by this method, others feel uncomfortable letting their baby cry without being comforted. There is no consensus on whether the CIO method is harmful to babies. Some believe it may elevate the baby's stress levels, cause trauma, and lead the child to think they can't rely on their parents. However, others argue that it helps babies learn to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own.
It's important to note that sleep training may not work for all children. Some babies may not be ready for sleep training due to their age, separation anxiety, or underlying medical issues. Additionally, the effectiveness of sleep training can vary, and it may need to be repeated multiple times. The success of sleep training also depends on finding the right approach for each child, as some may require more soothing or check-ins, while others may need less.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, sleep training can work, but it may not work for every child. The goal of sleep training is to teach your child to fall asleep independently and be comfortable sleeping for several hours through the night on their own. If they wake up, they’ll learn to self-soothe and fall back asleep. It can take some time and dedication, and consistency is key.
The Cry It Out sleep training method, also known as extinction or CIO, involves taking your baby through a bedtime routine, giving them a kiss goodnight, and then leaving the room. If the baby cries, the parent does not respond. The baby will eventually tire themselves out or self-soothe back to sleep. This method works well and quickly, according to its proponents. However, many parents feel uncomfortable letting their baby cry without comforting them.
It takes babies around three to six months to develop their internal body clock or circadian rhythm. At this point, they’ll naturally want to sleep more at night and be awake more during the day. This could be a good time to start sleep training. However, it's important to note that for about 20% of babies, sleep training just doesn't work. They may be too young, going through separation anxiety, or have an underlying medical issue.
