Ashwin Lewis
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. The Cry It Out (CIO) method is one of the most well-known and controversial sleep training methods, where parents put their baby to bed and do not respond if they cry. However, some parents may be uncomfortable with this method and prefer gentler alternatives. Gentle sleep training includes strategies such as the chair method, the pick-up/put-down method, and scheduled awakenings, which gradually teach babies to sleep independently with minimal crying. The effectiveness of sleep training methods varies for each baby, and it may take some trial and error to find an approach that suits your family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cry-it-out method | Controversial method where the baby is put to bed when tired but still awake, and left to cry until they fall asleep |
| No-cry sleep training | Gradual approach that involves soothing the baby and putting them down before they fall asleep, then gradually reducing the soothing until they can fall asleep independently |
| Consistency | Key to success for any sleep training method |
| Flexibility | Important to be flexible and find a method that works for your baby and family |
| Timed check-ins | Some babies benefit from timed check-ins while falling asleep, while others become more upset |
| Age | Babies should be at least 4-6 months old before starting sleep training |
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What You'll Learn
The chair method
To start, parents should stick to their baby's familiar nighttime routine. This could include a last feed, a short book or two, a lullaby, and some cuddling. The baby should then be put down while still awake but drowsy so they can learn to fall asleep alone in their crib.
The parent should then sit in a chair next to the crib, offering verbal reassurance and comforting their baby if necessary until they fall asleep. Each night, the chair is moved slightly further away from the crib and towards the door. Eventually, the chair will be outside the room, and the baby will be falling asleep without the parent present.
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The pick-up/put-down method
This method is grounded in behavioural psychology principles and is a high-soothing approach, which means you will be providing comfort and reassurance to your baby throughout the sleep training process. It is a good option for parents who are uncomfortable with the cry-it-out (CIO) method, which involves leaving your baby to cry without providing comfort.
There is no strict age limit for using the pick-up/put-down method, but it is recommended for babies between four and six months old. This is because babies under four months old are not recommended to undergo CIO, and babies over six months have more established sleep cycles. However, it is important to note that all infants are different, and the pick-up/put-down method may not be successful for every baby.
To implement this method, follow these steps:
- Put your baby down in their crib after their normal bedtime routine.
- If your baby fusses or cries, go to their room to hold them and provide comfort.
- Once your baby is calm, put them back in their crib.
- Repeat these steps as needed until your baby settles down.
Remember, sleep training can be a draining and time-consuming process, and it may take several weeks or longer to see results. It is important to be consistent and give the method time to work. If the pick-up/put-down method is not working for your baby, there are other sleep training paths you can explore, such as the cry-it-out method, the Ferber method, or the chair method.
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Scheduled awakenings
To start, note your baby's sleep patterns over the course of several days to determine the approximate times they wake up every night. Set your alarm clock to about 15 to 30 minutes before your baby usually wakes up. When the alarm sounds, gently wake your baby, then console them until they fall back asleep. Repeat this process every time your baby wakes during the night. Gradually increase the time between awakenings until your baby sleeps through the night without crying out for you.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep training. The best method for your family will depend on what you and your baby are most comfortable with. Consistency and patience are key to success, and it may take a week or longer to see results.
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Gradual intervals
Gentle sleep training, also known as no-cry sleep training, is a gradual approach that involves fewer tears. It includes several strategies for gradually teaching your baby to sleep without your help. While this approach can take longer than cry-it-out techniques, proponents say that it's worth it in the long run. Consistency and patience are key to success.
One such gentle sleep training method is the chair method, which involves the parent sitting next to the baby's crib until they fall asleep. The parent should minimise eye contact and talking, only picking the baby up if necessary, and putting them back down before they fall asleep. Gradually, the parent moves their chair further and further away from the crib, towards the door, then outside the door, and eventually closes the door. This method is also known as "camping out".
Another gentle sleep training method is scheduled awakenings, which involves setting an alarm clock to 15 to 30 minutes before your baby usually wakes up. When the alarm sounds, wake your baby up and console them until they fall back asleep. Repeat this process every time your baby wakes during the night. Gradually increase the time between awakenings until your baby sleeps through the night without crying out for you. This method does have some drawbacks: it is time-consuming and only works if your baby wakes up at regular, predictable intervals.
The pick-up/put-down method is another gentle sleep training technique. With this method, you put your baby down for bed, and if they start to fuss, you let it happen for a little bit. If they don't settle down, you pick them up, soothe them, and put them back down before they fall asleep in your arms. Repeat this process until they fall asleep. This method can take a long time to work and requires dedication and patience.
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Consistency and patience
The chair method involves putting your baby in their crib while they're drowsy and then sitting in a chair next to them until they fall asleep. Every few nights, you move the chair a little farther away until you're eventually out of the room. This method can also be adapted to be more structured, where you sit next to the crib but don't make eye contact or talk to the baby, only picking them up if absolutely necessary.
The pick-up/put-down method is another gentle approach where you put your baby down for bed, and if they start to fuss, you let it happen for a little bit. If they don't settle down, you pick them up, soothe them, and then put them down before they fall asleep in your arms. You repeat this process until they are asleep. This method can take a lot of dedication and patience, but it may be worth it if you're looking for a more gradual approach that involves fewer tears.
Scheduled awakenings is another gentle method that involves setting your alarm clock to about 15 to 30 minutes before your baby usually wakes up. When the alarm sounds, you wake your baby and console them until they fall back asleep. You gradually increase the time between awakenings until your baby sleeps through the night without crying out for you. This method can take several weeks, but it may be a good option if you're looking for a way to increase your baby's stretches of uninterrupted sleep.
Remember, the most important thing is to be consistent and give the method you choose time to work. It may take a week or longer to see results, and you may need to stick with it through setbacks due to illness, travel, teething, or developmental milestones. Sleep training can be emotionally and physically challenging, so make sure you have support from your partner or other caregivers, and consider joining support groups or speaking with a physician for guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby to fall asleep by themselves. The goal of sleep training is for your baby to be comfortable sleeping for several hours through the night on their own.
There are several gentle sleep training methods that can be used to help your baby sleep without your help. These include the chair method, the pick-up/put-down method, and scheduled awakenings. The chair method involves putting your baby down when they're calm, not crying, and not waiting until they're drowsy. The pick-up/put-down method involves putting your baby down and letting them fuss for a bit. If they don't settle, pick them up, soothe them, and put them down before they fall asleep in your arms. Repeat this process until they fall asleep. Scheduled awakenings involve setting an alarm for 15-30 minutes before your baby usually wakes up, and then gradually increasing the time between awakenings.
Your baby should be around 4-6 months old, which is when they take about three to six months to develop their internal body clock or circadian rhythm. It's important to discuss sleep training methods with your partner and ensure you are both fully committed to making it work, as it can be emotionally and physically challenging.
