Sleep training is a hot topic in postpartum lingo – and for good reason! The term “sleep training” is often associated with teaching your baby how to self-soothe. And there are plenty of ways new parents can go about it.
Today’s blog reveals when to start sleep training, as well as our infant care team’s tried-and-true methods to help your little one start sleeping more independently.
When To Start Sleep Training
Wondering when to start sleep training? Well, fostering healthy sleep habits can — and should! — start from day one. However, the term “sleep training” is often associated with teaching your baby to self-soothe, which is recommended for babies who are at least 12 lbs and three or four months of age. As early as eight weeks, many babies can sleep 11+ hours at night without feeding. Some babies need a bit longer, and most babies are ready by three or four months of age to sleep all night without eating.
Sleep Training Methods
As many parents can attest, there’s no one way to sleep train. Our nurses and newborn care specialists have found that a combination of the following sleep training methods is often the most effective:
Foster Healthy Sleep Habits Early
Fostering healthy sleep habits early on is our preferred approach, as it avoids sleep training later. By implementing the appropriate schedule, swaddle, sleep associations, routines, and environment, infants will sleep through the night and naturally drop their night feeding around eight weeks old.
Ferber Method
The Ferber Method is a kind of gradual extinction where you allow your baby to cry for a set period of time before going in to check on them. Over the course of several nights, slowly increase the length of the crying intervals by a few minutes. After some time, you won’t need to check on your baby at all, as they will have learned how to self-soothe. Of course, the appropriate schedule, environment, sleep associations, and routines are needed for success.
Cry It Out Method
The cry-it-out method — also called “extinction” — is exactly what it sounds like. Essentially, you’ll put your baby to bed and let them cry until they’re able to fall asleep – without any comforting from you. While this method might seem harsh, it’s often tougher on the parents than it is on the newborns. And your little one should start falling asleep on their own within three or four nights. Again, the appropriate schedule, environment, sleep associations, and routines are needed for success.
Sleep Training Tips
Regardless of which method you choose, these sleep training tips can help ensure a smoother transition:
Establish a bedtime routine. Stick to a consistent bedtime routine to help your little one transition from awake to asleep.
Put your baby down awake. If you rock your baby to sleep and then transfer them to the crib, you are a sleep association for them. When they wake between sleep cycles, they will feel like something is missing and need you to come back and rock them again.
Delay your response time. Resist the urge to rush into your baby’s room at the sound of the first cry. Babies make a lot of noise at night, and responding to every little one might disrupt your baby’s efforts to self-soothe.
Follow your schedule. Consistency is key! After the two-week mark, stop following cues and follow your age-appropriate schedule instead.
Night Nurse Houston
If you’re still unsure when to start or implement sleep training — or don’t want to tackle it on your own — our night nurses in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and beyond are here for you. Schedule a consultation with our team or get in touch to learn more about how we can serve you.
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