Miya Pearson
Sleep training is a tool that can help teach your child to fall asleep without your assistance. However, it can be difficult to know when your baby is ready for sleep training, and it can be a bumpy road even when they are. If your baby is healthy and at least 5 months old, they are likely ready for sleep training. If sleep training isn't working, it could be that your baby is waking up because they need feeding, or that they need a little longer to fall back to sleep. It could also be that they need more time to wind down, or that your sleep training method isn't right for your family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Baby's age | 5 months or older |
| Baby's development | Developmentally ready to fall asleep independently |
| Baby's health | Healthy |
| Baby's sleep patterns | Falling asleep on their own at night |
| Baby's feeding habits | Not waking up outside of their feeding time |
| Baby's sleep environment | A separate space from the parents |
| Parental comfort | Parents are comfortable with the sleep training method |
| Consistency | Consistent bedtime routine |
| Time taken to fall asleep | 10-20 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
- The Cry It Out method: leave the room and don't return until morning, regardless of crying
- Gradual extinction: let the baby cry for longer periods, slowly moving bedtime to the desired time
- Pick-up/put-down method: put the baby down, soothe if they fuss, but put them down before they fall asleep
- Self-soothing: separate yourself from the baby so they can learn to self-soothe
- Readiness: babies should be at least 5 months old and developmentally ready for sleep training
The Cry It Out method: leave the room and don't return until morning, regardless of crying
The Cry-It-Out CIO method, also known as the extinction or unmodified extinction method, is a sleep training technique that involves putting your baby to bed and allowing them to cry or fuss until they fall asleep without any intervention from caregivers. This method is intended to teach babies to self-soothe and fall asleep independently, a vital skill for their development.
- Ensure that all caregivers, including parents, grandparents, and babysitters, are on the same page about using this method and its timeframes.
- Pay attention to your baby's sleepy cues, such as yawning, eye-rubbing, or clinginess, and start their bedtime routine when these signs appear.
- Meet your baby's needs, such as feeding and changing their diaper, before placing them in their crib while they are still drowsy but awake.
- Go through your typical bedtime routine calmly, using low or dim light. Cuddle, kiss, and say goodnight to your baby.
- If your baby starts to fuss, use soothing words and light touch to calm them, but try not to pick them up.
- Leave the room and close the door behind you. Your baby will likely protest and cry, especially during the initial nights of sleep training.
- Do not return to the room or respond to your baby's crying. This is a crucial aspect of the CIO method. The idea is to give your baby the opportunity to independently soothe themselves and fall asleep, without relying on a caregiver's intervention.
- You can watch your baby on a video monitor if it helps reassure you during this challenging process.
It is important to note that the CIO method may not be suitable for all families. Some parents and healthcare providers consider it too rigid, stressful, and potentially harmful to both parents and babies. However, there is no scientific evidence that the CIO method causes long-term social-emotional issues or resentment in children. Ultimately, the decision to use this method depends on what works best for your family, and there are alternative sleep training techniques available if you feel uncomfortable with this approach.
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Gradual extinction: let the baby cry for longer periods, slowly moving bedtime to the desired time
The Ferber method, also known as graduated extinction, is a well-known sleep training approach. It is a variation of the full extinction or "cry it out" method, which involves leaving a baby to cry until they fall asleep without intervention. With graduated extinction, parents can put their baby down for bed awake and aware, then leave the room, returning to offer comfort intermittently. This method aims to reduce the time spent with the baby each night, allowing them to adapt to falling asleep without the parent being present.
The Ferber method is intended to be more parent-friendly than the cry-it-out method, which can be stressful for parents and babies. It empowers the child to develop self-soothing and self-regulation skills. The method can be used once a child is at least five or six months old, and it is recommended that parents consult a pediatrician if they have any concerns.
There is no strict formula for how often to check in on the baby, and parents should do what feels comfortable for them and their baby. Some sources suggest starting with check-ins after 2, 4, and 6 minutes, then repeating every 6 minutes until the baby falls asleep. Others suggest checking in every 5, 10, or 15 minutes, or at whatever frequency feels right. It is important to be consistent with the chosen method and to stick with any changes made.
Research has shown that graduated extinction can reduce the time it takes for a child to fall asleep, as well as the number and duration of night wakings. However, it is important to note that not all babies will respond the same way to this method, and there may still be rough nights. Additionally, sleep training does not have to be done, as babies will eventually learn to sleep on their own.
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Pick-up/put-down method: put the baby down, soothe if they fuss, but put them down before they fall asleep
The pick-up/put-down method is a sleep training technique that can help your baby sleep through the night and take longer naps. It is a gentle, gradual method that involves lots of parental involvement and can be used for babies from four months old, although some sources suggest it can be used for newborns. The method is simple:
- Put your baby down in their cot as normal.
- If they start to fuss, go to them and pick them up for a cuddle until they calm down.
- Once they are calm but still awake, put them back down in their cot and leave the room.
- Repeat these steps until your baby is settled and falls asleep.
The first night you try this method, you may need to pick your baby up and put them down over 100 times before they fall asleep. This could take over an hour, so the method requires patience and perseverance. However, each night that follows is likely to be faster, and you should start to see results within a few days.
The pick-up/put-down method is intended to help your baby fall asleep independently without needing props or cuddles. It is a middle ground of sleep training, aiming for a baby who isn't dependent on you to fall asleep but doesn't feel abandoned. It is important to be calm and quiet when you pick up your baby to comfort them. You can also try soothing techniques such as stroking, rubbing, and verbally reassuring them while they are in the cot, and limiting picking them up for intense crying.
This method may not work for all babies, and it is important to be consistent with your sleep training approach. It is also recommended that you seek advice from a pediatrician before attempting any sleep training method.
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Self-soothing: separate yourself from the baby so they can learn to self-soothe
Sleep training is not about getting your baby to sleep through the night. No child or adult ever sleeps through the night without waking up at all. Instead, sleep training is about teaching your baby to self-soothe when they wake up in the middle of the night and need to get back to sleep.
Self-soothing is an important life skill that babies will eventually learn. However, sleep training can help them learn these skills more quickly. By putting your baby down when they're getting drowsy, they'll get in the habit of falling asleep on their own. Then, when they wake up at night, they're more equipped to put themselves back to sleep without your help because they've practised.
To help your baby develop the skills they need to fall asleep on their own, you can try the "'wake-and-sleep' method. Every evening at bedtime, swaddle your baby and turn on some rough and rumbly white noise, making it as loud as a shower. These elements work to activate your baby's innate calming reflex, which is like an "off switch" for fussing and an "on switch" for sleep. Then, feed and burp your swaddled baby.
Another method is the "cry it out" (CIO) method, in which parents take their baby through a bedtime routine, cuddle with them, and give them a kiss goodnight, and then leave the room. If the baby cries, the parent does not respond. Eventually, the baby tires themselves out from crying or self-soothes back to sleep. However, many parents feel uncomfortable letting their baby cry without comforting them, worrying that it will elevate the baby's stress levels, cause trauma, or lead the child to think they can't rely on their parents.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for sleep training. The right way to sleep train is the right way for you and your baby. Consistency is essential, so pick a bedtime and stick to it every night.
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Readiness: babies should be at least 5 months old and developmentally ready for sleep training
Readiness is a key factor in determining whether sleep training will be successful. While there is no exact right age to begin sleep training, it is generally recommended that babies be at least 5 months old before attempting it. This is because younger babies are not developmentally able to self-soothe and their sleep patterns are still immature. Starting at around 3-4 months, babies may be able to learn to fall asleep independently some of the time, but they won't be able to fully master this skill until they are a little older.
At 5 months, babies are typically capable of sleeping through the night, and sleep training can help them learn to fall asleep and get back to sleep independently. However, it's important to note that this is just a general guideline, and every baby is unique. Some babies may be ready for sleep training earlier, while others may take a little longer to reach this milestone. It's always a good idea to consult with a pediatrician or sleep consultant to determine if your baby is developmentally ready for sleep training.
In addition to age, there are other signs that your baby may be ready for sleep training. For example, if your baby starts to fall asleep on their own at night, even if they wake up throughout the night, it's a good indication that they are ready to learn to self-soothe. Another sign of readiness is when your baby starts to develop a consistent bedtime routine. Consistency is crucial in sleep training, as you are creating a whole new schedule for your child. Pick a bedtime and stick to it every night to help your baby adjust and develop healthy sleep habits.
It's important to remember that sleep training is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach, and there are various methods to choose from. Some popular methods include the Cry-It-Out (CIO) method, where parents put their baby to bed and do not respond if they cry, and the pick-up/put-down method, where parents soothe their baby when they fuss and then put them down before they fall asleep. The right method for your baby will depend on their unique needs and your parenting style.
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Frequently asked questions
If your baby starts to fall asleep on their own at night, they’re most likely ready for sleep training. However, there is no exact right age to begin sleep training, and babies will eventually learn to sleep on their own.
If your baby is waking up outside of their feeding time, it could be a sign that sleep training is working. Research shows it takes a baby around 10 minutes to fall back to sleep in between cycles. So, if your baby wakes up in the middle of the night and you know it's not time to feed, make sure you give them a good 10-15 minutes before going into their room.
Sleep training isn't a "one-size-fits-all" solution, and there are plenty of different methods to choose from. If one method isn't working, you can always learn about and try a new one. You can also consult a sleep trainer or consultant to help create a customized method for you and your baby.
