Gina Johnson
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep independently. Most babies are developmentally ready for sleep training at 6 months and older, as by this age they are old enough to physically make it through the night without needing to eat. However, some babies can start sleep training slightly earlier than 4 months, while others do better a little later, around 9 months. The goal of sleep training is for your baby to be comfortable sleeping for several hours through the night on their own, and there are several methods that parents can use to achieve this.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal age to start sleep training | 4-6 months |
| Goal of sleep training | Teach your baby to fall asleep independently |
| Techniques | Cry it out, Ferber method, fading, pick-up put down, night weaning, etc. |
| Benefits | Better sleep for baby and parents, improved quality of life for the family |
| Challenges | May involve tears, unpredictable periods or illness can derail efforts |
| Tips | Consistent bedtime routine, gradually decrease night feeds, don't rock baby to sleep |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of a bedtime routine
Establishing a bedtime routine is crucial when sleep training your six-month-old. A consistent routine helps your baby recognise sleep cues and settle more easily. It also improves their overall sleep quality and ensures a well-functioning family dynamic.
A bedtime routine can include various activities that signal to your baby that it is time for sleep. For instance, playing white noise or singing lullabies can be soothing sleep cues that don't involve your presence and help your baby learn to self-soothe. Other activities like feeding, burping, and diapering can also be incorporated into the bedtime routine. However, ensure your baby doesn't fall asleep during the feed.
It is also important to avoid habits that may hinder your baby's ability to self-soothe and sleep independently. For example, rocking your baby to sleep or letting them fall asleep in your arms can make it challenging for them to adjust to sleeping in their crib or cot.
Additionally, pay attention to your baby's nap schedule and bedtime. If your baby takes two naps a day and is fussy in the early evening, consider adding a third short nap to their schedule a few hours before bedtime. On the other hand, if your baby takes long naps but struggles to sleep at night, try capping their nap time. Similarly, if your baby fights sleep for an extended period, their bedtime might be too early.
Remember, the goal of sleep training is to teach your baby to fall asleep independently and self-soothe when they wake up during the night. It is a process that may involve some tears, but it is not harmful to your baby and can lead to significant benefits for both your baby and you.
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Self-soothing techniques
The goal of sleep training is to teach your baby to fall asleep independently and self-soothe when they wake up in the middle of the night. This is a skill that all babies need to learn, just like learning to walk and talk.
Sleep training can begin when your baby is between 4 and 6 months old. By this age, babies have typically developed enough to start self-soothing. However, every baby is different, and some may need more time to develop the ability to self-soothe.
There are several sleep training methods that you can use, and you may want to try out a few to see what works best for your baby. Here are some self-soothing techniques to try:
- Establish a bedtime routine: A calming nightly ritual that includes activities such as taking a bath, reading a story, singing a lullaby, and cuddling can help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep.
- Set a consistent bedtime: Putting your baby to bed at the same time every night sets their internal clock, so they're more likely to feel sleepy at a predictable time. A bedtime between 7 and 8 pm often works well for young children.
- Break the habit of feeding to sleep: If your baby associates feeding with falling asleep, try moving their feeding earlier in the bedtime routine.
- Use a pacifier: A pacifier can help your baby calm down and may even reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Try the Ferber method: This technique involves gradually increasing the amount of time you let your baby cry before comforting them. While some parents find this method traumatizing, studies have shown no evidence of long-term negative effects.
- Cry it out (CIO): With this method, parents put their baby to bed and leave the room, only returning the next morning. While proponents say it works quickly, many parents are uncomfortable with letting their baby cry without comfort.
Remember, learning to self-soothe takes time, and some babies will need more time and patience than others. Be patient, stick to a calming bedtime routine, and know that some days will be easier than others.
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Sleep training methods
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep independently. Most babies are developmentally ready for sleep training at around 4 to 9 months old. By this age, babies can self-soothe and may no longer require night feedings.
There are several sleep training methods that parents can use, and it is important to find a method that works for your baby and your family. Here are some of the most common sleep training methods:
Cry it Out or Extinction Method
This method involves putting your baby to bed and letting them cry until they fall asleep without any comfort or help from you. This does not mean withholding feeds from a baby who needs them, but rather recognising what is hunger and what is a need for comfort. You can gradually increase the time between check-ins to help your baby settle without intervention.
Fading and Pick-Up, Put-Down
These gentle sleep training methods focus on gradually weaning the baby from needing help to fall asleep. For example, with the "pick-up, put-down" method, you would put your baby in their crib awake and if they fuss or cry, you would gently pat their tummy, offer soft shushes, or pick them up to help them calm down. Then, you would promptly return them to the crib and leave the room.
Night Weaning
Night weaning is the process of transitioning your baby away from waking up in the evening or early morning to feed. This can be done by ensuring your baby eats their meals during the day and does not need to wake up to eat during the night. Night weaning is safe as long as your baby is healthy and at an appropriate weight.
Bedtime Routines
Creating a simple, consistent bedtime routine can help your baby recognise the cues for sleep time. This can include things like playing white noise or ensuring your baby feeds well before bed.
Remember, sleep training can be a bumpy road, and it may take a few nights or weeks for your baby to adjust. It is important to be patient and consistent with whichever method you choose.
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Night weaning
By 6 months old, most babies are physically capable of sleeping for longer stretches at night without needing to eat. They get enough calories during the day to sustain them for five to twelve hours at night. However, some babies may continue to wake up to feed out of habit.
There are several methods to night wean your baby:
- Gradually reduce the amount of milk your baby drinks during night feeds over 5-7 nights. For example, reduce the volume of milk by 20-30ml every second night.
- Gradually reduce the duration of night feeds over 5-7 nights. For example, reduce the feeding time by 2-5 minutes every second night.
- If your baby is formula-fed and having 60ml of milk or less during a night feed, you can stop the feed altogether and resettle your baby using other sleep techniques.
- If your baby is bottle-fed, slowly decrease the number of ounces offered overnight.
- If you're breastfeeding, shorten the duration of nighttime feeds and/or offer milk from only one breast.
- The "core night" method focuses on consolidating feedings during the first half of the night before tackling early morning feedings.
It's important to remember that every baby is different and will be physically ready to night wean at their own pace. Consult with your medical provider if you're unsure whether your baby is ready for night weaning. Additionally, night weaning may not be suitable for babies who need to gain weight or have other medical conditions.
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When to start sleep training
When it comes to sleep training, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The best method depends on the child's temperament and parenting style. The goal of sleep training is to teach your baby to fall asleep independently and get better sleep. Most babies are developmentally ready for sleep training when they are between four and nine months old.
At four months, babies can start learning to self-soothe and fall back asleep on their own. However, some babies may need more time and might be ready around the six-month mark. By six months, babies are typically old enough to sleep for six to eight hours without needing to eat. They also start developing their internal body clock, or circadian rhythm, which helps them sleep more at night and be awake during the day.
If your baby is six months or older, they are likely capable of falling asleep independently. However, it is essential to remember that every baby is different, and some may take more time to adjust to sleep training. It is normal to experience bumps in the road, and you may need to try different techniques or combine approaches to find what works best for your baby.
Before starting sleep training, ensure that your baby has a predictable bedtime routine with consistent sleepy-time cues that do not involve your presence, such as playing white noise. Additionally, pay attention to their nap schedule and bedtime. If your baby takes two naps a day and is fussy in the early evening, consider adding a third catnap to their schedule. On the other hand, if your baby takes long naps, try capping them at two hours. Adjusting their bedtime may also be necessary if they fight sleep for up to 60 minutes, as it may be a sign that their bedtime is too early.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep by themselves. The goal is for your baby to be comfortable sleeping for several hours through the night on their own.
Most babies are developmentally ready for sleep training at 6 months and older. However, some babies can start sleep training slightly earlier than 4 months, while others do better a little later, like around 9 months.
There are several sleep training techniques to choose from, such as the "'cry it out' or 'extinction' method", the "'wake-and-sleep' method", and the "'pick-up, put down' method".
It is important to have a predictable bedtime routine that doesn't involve your presence, such as playing white noise. Additionally, make sure your baby is eating well before bed and doesn't fall asleep during the feed. If your baby wakes up in the night, you can try soothing and patting them back to sleep or offering cooled boiled water instead of milk.
