Baby Sleep Training Techniques: A Guide for Tired Parents
Being new parents is a joyous and life-changing experience. It often comes with the exhaustion of sleepless nights. If you are struggling to get your little one to sleep through the night, you are not alone. Sleepless nights are common and the biggest challenges new parents face, the happy news is that there are proven techniques to help your baby develop sleep habits. We’ll explore effective baby sleep training methods to help your little one and you get restful nights ahead.
UNDERSTANDING THE SLEEP NEEDS OF INFANTS
Newborns require 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day waking every 2 to 3 hours for feeding. For infants 12 to 16 hours of sleep is required including naps. As baby grows, your approach to sleep training will require adjustments as their sleep patterns evolve. With this in mind, let us go through a few effective sleep training techniques you can try.
POPULAR SLEEP TRAINING TECHNIQUES
The Ferber Method
This is developed by Dr. Richard Ferber, it highlights letting your baby self-soothe. This technique involves a consistent routine where you establish a bedtime standard to tell your baby it’s time for sleep. It could be a quiet reading, a warm bath, or a lullaby. You leave the room after putting your baby down to sleep and let them cry for a fixed interval of time before returning to comfort them and then gradually increase the time between check-ins.
No Tears Method
This is a much gentler approach to your parenting style. In this method, you stay with your baby until they fall asleep gradually reducing your involvement over time. Simultaneously help your baby build positive sleep associations like favorite stuff toys or blankets or soothing sounds.
Chair Method
This approach balances comforting baby while encouraging independent sleeping. Place a chair next to your baby crib and sit with your baby until asleep. Gradually, keep moving further away from the crib until you are out of the room.
The Pick-Up/ Put-Down Method
A hand on approach for babies that requires parental comfort. Place the baby in the crib while drowsy yet awake and let them fall asleep on their own. When they do start crying, pick them , soothe them and put them right back in the crib. Repeat as needed and the number of pick-ups gradually.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL SLEEP TRAINING
● Babies thrive on routine, be consistent , stick to the chosen method for a while. This will give babies a sense of security and predictability.
● Keep the room dark, use black out curtains and consider white noise to mask any disruptive noise.
● Be patient and flexible and remember that every baby is unique. Adjust according your baby needs.
● Be attentive to the cues of your baby such as yawn and rubbing of eyes to determine the time to initiate bedtime.
Sleep training is a challenging phase yet rewarding for both parents and the baby. What works for some baby may not work for another. Choose a method that aligns with your parenting style and baby’s temperament. Consistency and patience will help your little baby develop healthy sleep habits. If you are looking for a more-in-depth guidance and strategies we have comprehensive baby sleep training course.
Share your experience, victories, and challenges in comments below and let’s support each other in this beautiful journey of parenthood.
