Miya Pearson
Sleep deprivation is a common issue for new parents. The Taking Cara Babies Newborn Course, Will I Ever Sleep Again?, aims to address this issue by providing parents with tools and strategies to improve their newborn's sleep habits. The course covers topics such as understanding newborn sleep patterns, recognizing sleepy cues, and establishing sleep schedules. While some parents have found the course helpful, others argue that free resources and building a support system are more effective in addressing sleep challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Class Name | Will I Ever Sleep Again? |
| Instructor | Cara |
| Target Audience | New parents, veteran parents who have struggled with baby sleep in the past |
| Format | Online class, ebook |
| Age Range | 0-4 months |
| Topics Covered | Sleep foundation, days and nights, baby's developmental strides, sleep regression, newborn sleep schedules, expectations, wake windows |
| Additional Features | One-on-one phone consultation with a certified sleep consultant, SITBACK formula |
| Reviews | Positive: Helpful for consolidating information, game-changer, helped baby sleep through the night; Negative: Waste of money, free information available elsewhere |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep training methods
Sleep training is a tool that can help your newborn sleep through the night without constantly waking up, crying, or needing you to soothe them. The goal of sleep training is to help your baby sleep for several hours through the night on their own. Once they've been sleep-trained, babies can sleep for 9-12 hours at night.
Sleep training is not synonymous with the "cry-it-out" method. In fact, there are gentler approaches that work too. For example, some sleep training methods involve having the parent sleep next to the baby's crib, a method called "camping out", or simply educating parents about baby sleep.
There are a few things to keep in mind when sleep training:
- Consistency is key: It's important to stick to a consistent bedtime. You're creating a whole new schedule for your child, so it's important to pick a bedtime and stick to it every night.
- Allow your baby to learn to self-soothe: 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’ll be more equipped to put themselves back to sleep without your help.
- Separate yourself from your baby: Your baby doesn't need their own bedroom to sleep train, but it’s important to find a way to separate yourself from them so they can learn to self-soothe.
- Be consistent but flexible: Choose a sleep training method that you're comfortable with and that you think your child will respond well to. Observe how your baby reacts and if they're very resistant or you see a negative change in their overall mood and behaviour, stop and wait a week or so before trying again or choosing another approach.
- Timing is important: Most experts recommend starting baby sleep training when your baby is between 4 and 6 months old. By 4 months old, most babies can sleep for six hours between feeds overnight. By 6 months, most children can sleep through the night.
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Newborn sleep patterns
Newborns sleep differently from older babies, children, and adults. They usually sleep in short bursts during the day and night, and wake up multiple times at night. Their sleep patterns can change a lot in their first year.
Newborns generally sleep for 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. However, this can vary, and newborns may sleep for as few as 11 hours or as many as 19 hours in a 24-hour period. They sleep in short bursts, known as sleep cycles, which are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long. Newborns usually sleep for 2-3 hours at a time, and some newborns sleep for up to 4 hours at a time.
Newborns do not know the difference between day and night. They do not have established sleep-wake rhythms. Their sleep patterns are mostly affected by their need to be fed and changed. They will usually wake up every 1 to 3 hours. At around 4 to 8 weeks, their sleep will start to respond more to light and dark, rather than hunger. After 8 weeks, they might also begin to sleep for longer. By the time a baby is around 3 months old, they might regularly be having a longer sleep at night, for example, around 4 to 5 hours. However, most babies don't start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) without waking until at least 3 months of age, or until they weigh 12 to 13 pounds. This can vary, and some babies don't sleep through the night until closer to 1 year.
Babies may not be able to form their own sleeping and waking patterns, especially when it comes to falling asleep. You can help your baby sleep by knowing the signs of sleep readiness, teaching them to fall asleep on their own, and providing a safe and comfortable sleeping environment. It is important to create positive sleep associations for your newborn. For example, holding your baby until they fall asleep may create a negative sleep association, resulting in them needing to be held to fall asleep.
To help your newborn learn to sleep more at night, you can expose them to light and play with them during the day, and provide a dim and quiet environment at night. Having a consistent bedtime routine can also help your baby learn to sleep through the night.
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Sleepy cues
- Rubbing eyes
- Yawning
- Crying
- Looking away
- Becoming quiet or still
- Pulling at their ears
- Fussing with their clothing or bedding
- Showing signs of restlessness or irritability
Recognising these cues can help you identify when your baby is ready for sleep and create a consistent sleep schedule. This can also help you avoid overtiring your baby, which can make it more difficult for them to settle and fall asleep.
While every baby is different, understanding and responding to their sleepy cues can help you navigate the challenges of newborn sleep and establish healthy sleep habits from the very beginning. This can include creating a soothing sleep environment, implementing bedtime routines, and providing comfort and support to your baby as they drift off.
Remember, the first few months with a newborn can be challenging when it comes to sleep. However, by recognising sleepy cues and implementing gentle strategies, you can lay the foundation for healthy sleep habits and improve sleep for both your baby and yourself.
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Sleep schedules and expectations
The Taking Cara Babies Newborn Course, "Will I Ever Sleep Again?", provides parents with the tools and confidence to thrive during the newborn stage. The course covers newborn sleep schedules, expectations, and wake windows.
The course recommends delaying formal sleep training until the baby is at least five months old. This is because, by this age, babies have typically adjusted to their sleep cycles, and melatonin, the hormone essential for sleep, begins to regulate, making sleep training more effective.
Prior to five months, the course equips parents with strategies to navigate the first few months of their newborn's sleep. It helps parents understand their newborn's sleepy cues, which are signs that the baby is tired and ready for sleep. Additionally, the course offers guidance on nap schedules, recommending the appropriate number of naps based on the baby's age group.
The SITBACK formula, a component of the course, has been praised by a parent for helping their 9.5-week-old baby sleep through the night for the first time. This formula emphasizes the importance of independent sleep, allowing babies to self-soothe and sleep for extended periods.
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Safe co-sleeping practices
- Prepare your bed: Keep your bed as safe as possible for your baby. Remove pillows, adult bedding, and any other items that could cover your baby's head or cause them to overheat.
- Avoid sofas and armchairs: Never fall asleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby. The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is much higher in these locations, and babies can easily slip into a position where they are trapped and can't breathe.
- Avoid co-sleeping under the influence: If you are unwell, have consumed alcohol, or have taken medications that make you sleepy, your baby should sleep separately in a cot or Moses basket.
- Keep other children and pets out of the bed: This will help reduce the risk of accidents.
- Check for entrapment hazards: Ensure your baby cannot be trapped in the bed frame or headboard, or fall out of bed and become trapped between the mattress and the wall.
- Follow safe sleep positions: Place your baby on their back to sleep, and avoid putting them on their front unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.
- Breastfeed: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS.
For more detailed information, you can refer to resources such as the Safe Sleep Seven checklist, which provides comprehensive guidelines for safe co-sleeping practices. Remember, it is important to always prioritize the safety and well-being of your baby when considering co-sleeping.
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Frequently asked questions
The "Will I Ever Sleep Again" newborn class is a Taking Cara Babies course that provides parents with tools and strategies to improve their newborn's sleep.
The class covers topics such as newborn sleep schedules, expectations, and wake windows. It also teaches parents how to recognise sleepy cues, which are signs that a newborn is tired and ready for sleep.
The class is designed for new parents who are struggling with their baby's sleep. It is recommended to take the class before the baby arrives, but it can be taken at any time.
The class is suitable for newborns up to 4 months old. For babies older than 4.5 months, Taking Cara Babies offers a different course called "The 5-24 Month Collection: Everything You Need for Great Sleep".
The effectiveness of the class may vary from person to person. While some parents have found the class to be a game-changer, others have considered it a waste of money. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether the class is worth taking.
