Should You Consider Baby Sleep Training?
Nowhere is there more Talk of the Village than in baby sleep training. This method of teaching children to sleep on their own, has both advocates and opponents. So, new parent suffering from sleepless nights: Baby sleep training – is it really in your best and baby's interest?
Baby Sleep Training Explained
Baby sleep training encompasses the many techniques that are used to help infants learn how bake asleep on their own. The basic principle is to help baby sleep good and in turn, help the parents have some effing peace if mind. The techniques themselves can differ greatly, from gentler methods that involve soothing the baby to more structured ones where parental involvement decreases slowly.
Pros of Sleep Training
- Better Sleep for All": One of the biggest benefits of sleep training is that it can mean an all-around better rest experience for both baby and parent. Consistent bedtime routines help your baby determine when sleeps come and can reduce waking up at night.
- Developing Independence : Your baby will become more independent by learning to fall asleep on their own. As they age and encounter new obstacles, this is a skill that can continue to benefit them.
- Routine: Babies love routines and sleep training can help regulate a schedule. It produces a sense of safety for the baby as well as its parents.
Considerations Before You Start
While sleep training can be helpful, there are a few things to keep in mind before starting down that path:
- Your Baby's Age: Most experts recommend sleep training from 4 to 6 months of age — but you can implement a form of "early" (from one month old, though we are not recommending it) or "rushed" (like when your baby is already seasoned at waking up every few hours for feeding).
- The Parent's Playbook: There are all sorts of sleep training methods so it is very important to select a technique that you believe gels with your parenting style. Depending on the style, some may want to employ a gentle hand while other chose more of an organized form.
- The post Consistency is The Key appeared first on MyBabySleepGuide.com. Expect to see results within a few weeks of following your chosen method
Ferberizing and Other Popular Sleep Training Methods
There are several popular sleep training methods, including:
- The Ferber Method: This style involves some crying and is built around letting your baby develop self-soothing mechanisms by leaving her to cry for different durations before going in to offer comfort.
- The No Tears Method — This method is one where you attempt to calm your baby and put them down for sleep before they have the chance to become upset.
- Chair Method– This method consists of slowly moving the chair further and further away from your baby's crib every night until they can finally fall asleep on their own.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, whether or not you want to give baby sleep training a try is deeply personal as each family has their own priorities and values. If you decide to do some form of sleep training, just like with everything else in parenting—consistency is key—and patience. All babies are unique and different, what may be right for one family ,might not work for another.
Regardless of whether it is something that you feel will work for your family or not, the ultimate goal is to do needful things to make sure your baby receives sound sleep while creating a loving environment. These can be tough but rewarding waters to navigate with the right approach and mindset.