Sleep training is teaching a baby to fall asleep without help. This means the baby is put down for
bed drowsy but awake and drifts off without being rocked, swayed, cuddled, nursed or shushed. It
also teaches the baby how to fall back to sleep when inevitably up overnight.
When To Start Sleep Training
It is recommended to start when a baby is about 4 -6 months old. This age range is the sweet spot
since the baby is old enough to physically make it for six to eight hours overnight without needing
to eat.
Sleep Training Methods
? Cry it out: This is also called the extinction method. It involves putting the baby to bed,
and letting him or her cry without no comfort until asleep.
? Ferber Method: This involves letting the baby cry for a set period and then checking up on
him or her.
? Chair Method: This involves sitting in a chair near the baby's crib until asleep without
picking him or her up.
? Bedtime Fading Method: This method involves paying attention to the baby's cues and
putting him or her to bed. Hopefully, the baby falls asleep but if not, take out of the crib for
a set amount of time and try again.
? Pick Up Put Down Method: This involves going through the baby's normal routine,
putting him or her down to bed drowsy but awake. When the baby cries, the mother waits
a few minutes to see if he or she settles down and if not, the mother picks and soothes the
baby.
Sleep Training Tips
1. Sold early but not too soon: New-borns can’t follow a schedule but it can be implemented
after about 2-3 months based on personality and snoozing habits.
2. Be familiar with the baby’s sleep patterns and wake-up windows
3. Be flexible when implementing routines as the baby might prefer it highly planned or go with
the flow. Adjust schedules accordingly sticking to natural rhythms as much as possible.
4. Watch for sleep cues: Watch out for cues like eye-rubbing, yawning, or crankiness when the
baby is tired. The goal is to put the baby down when drowsy but not yet asleep, learning how
to fall asleep without help. If this doesn’t work, try again.
5. Follow a Pre-sleep routine: Routines are reassuring to babies and reinforce rhythms, signaling
them to go to sleep. The routines can be a bath, reading a book, cuddles, massage, lullaby, etc.
6. Incorporate a schedule throughout the day: Babies feel comforted by the additional structure
and rhythm of a rough daytime schedule, including the same waking up, nap, feeding and
playtime. A daytime routine can make bedtime go smoother.
7. Don’t jump at the first noise: Once babies are at 3 months, they are capable of self-soothing,
don’t immediately jump to pick up when fussing during the night or day. Wait a few minutes
to check if the baby can fall back asleep. If fussing continues, try to check up without picking
up the baby.
8. Adjust accordingly: Babies are unpredictable and sleep schedules will evolve. A trial and
error will help figure out what’s best for the baby.
Comments