Herbie Murray
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 without any parental intervention. There are several methods of sleep training, including the Cry It Out (CIO) method, the Ferber method, and bedtime fading, each with varying levels of parental involvement. While sleep training can be a bumpy road, it is not harmful to your baby's health or their attachment to you, and experts recommend starting when babies are 4 to 6 months old.
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What You'll Learn
The Cry It Out method
There are different ways to approach the Cry It Out method. One way is to feed, burp, and change your baby, place them in their crib or bassinet drowsy but awake, say goodnight, and then exit the room without returning until the next scheduled feeding or when they wake in the morning. This approach can be challenging for parents as they listen to their baby cry, and it may take a few rough nights or even a week or more for the baby to fall asleep on their own. However, it is important to remember that crying will not harm the baby in the long run.
Another approach to the Cry It Out method is a more graduated version that involves keeping track of the time between checking in on the baby and briefly soothing them. This approach can help parents who are worried about letting their baby cry for too long without comfort. By using this graduated approach, parents can gradually increase the time between check-ins, allowing the baby to become more comfortable with self-soothing over time.
It is important to note that sleep training does not have a "one-size-fits-all" solution, and what works for one family may not work for another. The Cry It Out method may be effective for some families, but it is not suitable for everyone. Additionally, while sleep training can help babies sleep through the night, it is not about preventing babies from waking up during the night, as everyone wakes up multiple times throughout the night. Instead, the main goal of sleep training is to teach babies to fall asleep independently and self-soothe when they wake up.
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The Ferber method
The goal of the Ferber method is to train young children to self-soothe, allowing them to fall asleep without attention or intervention from a caregiver. This method is considered a gentler form of the cry-it-out method, as it lets caregivers check in on their child at timed intervals to comfort them with soft words and gentle touches. During the check-ins, caregivers should reassure the crying child for fewer than two minutes. The point is not to stop the child from crying or to get them to fall asleep, as this would likely deter the child from learning to self-soothe.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), self-soothing teaches babies an important life skill, allowing them to learn calming strategies. The Ferber method is simple and straightforward. After a bedtime routine, put your baby into their crib. They should be drowsy but awake. Tell them goodnight and leave the room. If your baby cries, wait for a set amount of time, then go back in to briefly comfort them. Don't pick them up or feed them. Leave the room and repeat as needed if your baby continues to cry, going back in to reassure them at specific timed intervals.
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The Chair method
To begin, parents should stick to their baby's familiar nighttime routine. This could include a final feeding, a short book or two, a lullaby, and some cuddling. The baby should then be put down while still awake but drowsy, so they learn to fall asleep alone in their crib.
The parent then finds a seat next to the crib and offers verbal reassurance until the baby is asleep. Over time, the chair is gradually moved towards the door each night until the parent is finally out of the room. This process allows the baby to learn to fall asleep without being picked up when they cry, and it can take a few weeks to accomplish.
Consistency is key in sleep training, and parents should stick to a chosen method for at least two weeks to give it a chance to work.
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The importance of consistency
Consistency is key when it comes to sleep training. The goal is to teach your baby to fall asleep independently and to self-soothe if they wake up during the night. Creating a consistent bedtime routine is crucial to achieving this.
Firstly, pick a bedtime and stick to it every night. This will help your baby develop an internal body clock or circadian rhythm, which will naturally lead to them wanting to sleep more at night and be awake more during the day. A consistent bedtime also helps to establish a new schedule for your child, which is an essential part of sleep training.
Secondly, establish a bedtime routine that you follow consistently. This could include activities such as a bath, reading books, or cuddling before putting your baby to bed. A consistent bedtime routine helps signal to your baby that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. It's important to start the routine early enough so that your baby doesn't become overtired, which can make it more difficult for them to fall asleep independently.
Additionally, be consistent with the sleep training method you choose. Give the method at least one to two weeks to see if it's working for your baby. It may take a few nights for your baby to adjust and learn to fall asleep on their own. If one method doesn't seem to be working after a couple of weeks, don't be afraid to try something else. It may take some trial and error to find the right approach for your baby and your family.
Remember, the "`right`" way to sleep train is the one that works best for you and your baby. Consistency in your chosen method and routine will help your baby learn the valuable skill of falling asleep and staying asleep independently.
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When to start sleep training
When it comes to sleep training, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to start. The ""right"" time to begin sleep training is when you and your baby are ready. For some parents, sleep training is a necessity from the very beginning, while others may not need to implement a strict sleep training regime at all.
That being said, there are some general guidelines and indicators that can help you determine the ideal time to start sleep training your baby. Firstly, it's important to allow your baby's natural sleep patterns to emerge and cater to them. This usually occurs around the 4- to 6-month mark, when babies develop their internal body clock or circadian rhythm. At this age, they will naturally want to sleep more at night and be awake more during the day. This is also the age when babies are physically capable of sleeping for 6 to 8 hours overnight without needing to eat, making it an ideal time to start sleep training.
However, it's crucial to remember that every baby is unique, and there is no "sleep training age." Some babies may not be ready for ""formal"" sleep training until they are 5 months old or even older. Before starting sleep training, it's essential to ensure your baby is healthy, and there are no upcoming disruptions to the routine, such as travel or big transitions. Additionally, you should be prepared to commit to the process, as consistency is key to successful sleep training.
If you're unsure about when to start sleep training, your baby's healthcare provider or pediatrician can offer personalized advice and guidance. They can help you determine if your baby is ready for sleep training and recommend specific methods that align with your family's values and comfort level. Remember, sleep training is a process that requires patience and perseverance. It may involve some trial and error to find the approach that works best for your baby and your family. Research and establishing healthy sleep habits from the start can also make sleep training easier and ensure that both you and your baby are well-rested.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep training is a way to teach your baby to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own without help from their parent or caregiver.
Experts recommend beginning sleep training when babies are 4 to 6 months old. This is the ideal age range as babies are old enough to physically make it for six to eight hours overnight without needing to eat.
With some sleep training methods, babies can sleep on their own within a matter of days. For other methods, particularly gentler methods that minimize crying, the process can take longer. There is no "right" amount of time to let your baby cry when you're trying to sleep train.
Some of the most popular sleep training techniques are the fading method, the pick-up/put-down method, and the Ferber method. The Cry It Out method is also well-known, but many parents feel uncomfortable letting their baby cry without comforting them.
Sleep training often accomplishes, at least temporarily, its main goal of getting a baby to stop "signalling" for support when they wake. However, there is limited data on the effectiveness of sleep training, and it does not work for all children.
