Whether you’re a first-time parent or a veteran mom or dad, getting an infant to sleep through the night is a tiresome task. Sleeping for long periods of time is not something babies can do right away, though. Temperament, developmental phases, and tummy troubles can all keep a baby from sleeping all night long.
It can be really disappointing for parents when their babies aren’t sleeping. But don’t lose hope! Even though it may not feel like it, your baby is probably right on schedule. And with a little bit of sleep training, you can help them build strong sleep habits that help them get to sleep a little faster. Here is the information you need on sleep training to make it through the night and not lose your mind.
Setting the (Safe) Environment
First thing’s first — set the scene. If babies are going to learn to sleep through the night, their sleeping environment needs to be one that helps them fall asleep.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following criteria for a safe sleeping environment. Following these guidelines has proven to help babies fall asleep and lower the potential of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Put your baby on their back for all naps and at night.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface.
- Instead of bed sharing, room share with your baby.
- Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area.
- Don’t let your baby get overheated.
Click here for more sleep-safe resources.
When to Start Sleep Training
One of the most important things to know is that babies are not ready to sleep train until they are at least 3 months old. Many babies aren’t ready until they are 6 months old. That’s because they won’t know how to self-soothe until their brains have developed a little bit. They will need someone to help regulate their emotions and comfort them so they can fall asleep. If you leave a baby in a crib who isn’t able to self-soothe, they will cry until someone helps them. They won’t “get over it” or “cry themselves out.” They really truly honestly need help finding rest.
Sleep Training Tips
No matter what method you decide to try, here are some tips that apply to them all.
- Create a consistent bedtime routine. This is particularly important for the No Tears Method of sleep training, but it’s important for any child to have a good bedtime routine. (Who are we kidding, it’s suitable for adults, too!) Establishing a predictable routine can signal, “It’s time for me to wind down and go to sleep.” It’s hard to be consistent, but putting in the time and effort is definitely worth it.
- Watch for the signs. Babies have “tells” when it comes to being sleepy. If they start to rub their eyes, yawn, turn away from lights or sound, or get suddenly fussy, start getting them ready for bed.
- Put your baby down awake. Like mentioned earlier, put your baby down drowsy regardless of the sleep training method you decide on. Rocking your baby to sleep doesn’t teach them how to self-soothe.
- Don’t respond right away to crying. This is a “Pavlov’s dog” situation: If your baby learns that all they have to do is cry for you to appear instantly, they will keep doing it! Don’t feel like you need to respond to every little cry they make, and don’t feel bad if you make them wait a few minutes before you respond.
- Stick with it. Sleep training takes time and consistency. Stay committed to the approach you’ve chosen, and be patient.
No matter what you choose, none of the sleep training methods listed above have proven to cause long-term emotional damage or harm. No baby is the same, so one method may work great for some but not others. You may find a hybrid approach of different sleep training techniques is what works for you and your child. So pick what’s best for you and stick with it. You’re doing great!