Effective Sleep Training Methods

Sleep training is a hot topic; some highly believe it, and some are against it. There are sleep training methods that involve crying and leaving the room, and there are methods that use a more gentle approach. It’s important to understand the logic behind sleep training, what it is, which age is ideal, the methods out there, and whether it really works. It is a broad topic, but throughout this article, we are going to go through some important points of sleep training and break it down for you.

What is sleep training?

Sleep training is simply teaching your baby to fall asleep without your help. It sounds pretty simple, however your help significantly affects your baby’s sleep habits. The result of sleep training entails placing the baby in his bed, drowsy but awake, and having them fall asleep on their own. There is no interference from parents shushing, rocking, singing, cuddling, nursing or feeding. This means that a midnight wake will consist of the baby self-soothing and falling back asleep independently.

What is the ideal age to start sleep training?

Many experts recommend sleep training as early as four to six months. This stage is known as the sweet spot since it is usually the age at which babies will go a six-hour stretch at night. Additionally, they don’t always need feeding at night, and the comfort that parents provide for them is not yet a sleep association.

Sleep Training – The Methods Available

There are many different methods of sleep training, and there’s no one right or wrong way. Below are some of the most common methods.

Cry it Out

Many don’t agree with the cry-it-out method. Simply put, the baby is put in his bed and left to cry without interference from the parents until he falls asleep. So long as the baby is fed, changed, and burped, you cannot enter the room until the morning or, in some cases, when he needs to eat next. As hard as it sounds, the key here is consistency. In three to four nights, your baby will cry less and fall asleep faster.

Ferber Method

Many parents are not fans of the cry-it-out method. The Ferber method is a great midpoint. This method is done by letting the baby cry it out for 10/ 15 minutes ( a set period of time) and then entering the room to comfort them. The secret here is letting the time intervals increase by a few minutes each time until the baby falls asleep.

Over the course of a few nights, the time intervals should be increased, which will minimize your presence in the room and let your baby soothe himself. After a few nights, this will teach your baby to soothe himself without you entering the room.

Chair Method

This method is usually more relevant for older babies. The chair method consists of sitting in a chair beside your baby’s crib until they drift off to sleep. Every night, the chair will be moved further away, towards the door. The goal with this technique is for your baby to fall asleep without you in the room.

Pick up Put Down Method

After completing your baby’s normal bedtime routine and putting him down in bed drowsy but awake, you’re going to wait until they cry. If they have trouble resettling after a few minutes, you’re going to pick him up, soothe him, and place him back down once calm. Repeat this until they finally fall asleep. Unlike the other sleep training methods we discussed, the pick-up-put-down method can take a little longer, so be patient.

How long does sleep training typically take?

Most sleep training methods take three to four nights; however, some take up to two weeks. Remember that certain methods may not work for your baby. If you have been training consistently for two weeks and you don’t see a sign of success, you can try different methods of sleep training.

Tips to Keep in Mind When Sleep Training

Whatever sleep training method you choose, it’s important to remember these tips throughout the process.

• Consistency is key – stick to a bedtime you choose

• The right way to sleep train your baby is right for you and your family; not every baby will succeed with the same method you chose.

• The road is bumpy; expect bumps along the way. There will be nights that will go smoothly and some nights that will be harder. Be ready, be patient, and accept the process.

• In the end, you’ll be successful. Don’t be discouraged; try another if one method doesn’t work.

Conclusion – Sleep Training Methods

Sleep training can be difficult; however, some babies adjust quickly. Parents must be patient and know that consistency is key to sleep training. Throughout this article, we discussed some popular sleep training methods; however, there are more methods. Whichever method you choose, give it two weeks to see results. Choose a method that best works for your family, and be patient and know that it takes time and commitment to sleep train a baby.