Babies sleep a lot, needing 9 to 12 hours of sleep daily in their first year, plus naps. However, they sleep in short bursts, both day and night.
By three to six months, babies develop a circadian rhythm, sleeping more at night. Sleep training can help parents teach their babies to sleep through the night without waking for soothing.
This article discusses seven sleep training methods and offers tips on when to start and how to choose the best method for your family. By around four months, babies should start self-soothing to sleep.
What is Sleep Training?
Sleep training teaches babies to self-soothe and fall asleep independently. Starting at 4-6 months, most babies can sleep six hours at night between feeds, with many sleeping through the night by six months.
Successful sleep training requires commitment from both parents and may involve support from groups or a physician. Signs to start include frequent night waking and the baby’s readiness.
Key tips include establishing a bedtime routine, timing it right, recognizing sleep cues, and putting the baby down awake.
Consistency and patience are essential, as sleep training can vary in duration and method. Ultimately, it leads to better sleep for the baby and parents.
Sleep Training Methods for Babies
There are several popular sleep training methods. It’s important to choose a method that feels right for you and your partner, as not every approach works for every family.
You might need to try a few different methods or a combination to find what suits your baby best. The key is to find a technique that you and your baby are comfortable with, ensuring a smoother sleep training process.
1. Ferber Method
The Ferber method, or “graduated extinction,” involves putting your baby to bed even if they cry and checking on them at gradually increasing intervals (e.g., every 5, 10, 15 minutes). You can pat or talk to them, but avoid picking them up.
Over several nights, you extend these intervals, helping your baby learn to self-soothe. This method is gradual and involves comforting your baby with progressively less interaction until they can sleep independently.
Studies show no long-term negative effects from this method, though it does involve some crying.
2. Chair Method
The chair method, also called the sitback method, involves placing a chair next to your baby’s crib. You sit in the chair while your baby falls asleep, without picking them up.
Each night, you gradually move the chair farther away until it’s out of the room. This method can be challenging because you must watch your baby cry without intervening.
It may take longer to see success and might work better for older babies. The chair method offers a gentler alternative to cry it out or Ferber but may lead to more tears if your baby wakes and finds you gone.
3. Fading Method
The fading method is a gentle sleep training approach where you gradually reduce the amount of help you give your baby to fall asleep. You start by using your usual soothing techniques but lessen them over time (“fade” them out).
For example, if you rock your baby to sleep, you might rock less each night until your baby learns to fall asleep independently.
Parents can also apply the fading method by staying in their child’s room until they fall asleep, then gradually moving further away each night.
This method acknowledges that babies may cry as they adjust but aims to minimize distress by maintaining a parental presence.
Research shows that both the fading method and similar approaches like the Ferber method improve infant sleep and parent well-being without causing long-term negative effects on children’s mental health.
4. Pick Up, Put Down Method
The pick-up, put-down method is a gentle approach to sleep training. You start by putting your baby down to sleep and allowing them to fuss for a short period.
If they don’t settle, you pick them up to soothe them, then place them back in the crib while they’re still awake. Repeat this process until your baby falls asleep.
This method involves patience and dedication as it may take some time for your baby to learn to fall asleep independently.
5. Cry It Out Method
The cry-it-out (CIO) method is a controversial sleep training approach where you put your baby to bed and let them cry until they fall asleep, without intervening.
After establishing a bedtime routine and ensuring your baby is fed and safe, you leave the room and do not return until morning or the next feeding time.
Despite its effectiveness in teaching babies to self-soothe and sleep independently within a few nights, many parents find it emotionally challenging to hear their baby cry without providing comfort.
Critics worry about potential stress and trauma for the baby, though studies haven’t shown long-term negative effects.
6. Respectful Sleep Training
Respectful sleep training, also known as Gentle Sleep Training, emphasizes creating a secure attachment with your child while guiding them to sleep independently.
Unlike more rigid methods, it avoids leaving the baby to cry alone. Instead, parents respond to their cues and gradually help them learn to fall asleep on their own. This approach relies on consistent bedtime routines to signal the transition to sleep.
Parents using Gentle Sleep Training may incorporate elements of the Ferber method, such as periodic check-ins, or aspects of the Fading method, gradually increasing the distance from the baby while providing comforting reassurance.
The goal is for the baby to develop confidence in falling asleep independently, rather than relying on being held.
While this method reduces emotional stress, it may require more time and commitment from parents and may lead to prolonged sleep deprivation before achieving success.
Choosing the Right Method For You
Choosing the right sleep training method for your baby and family can be challenging. It’s crucial to explore different options and imagine how they align with your parenting style.
If one method doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to try another. This process may be taxing, so patience and support are vital.
However, if you follow a sleep training method consistently and it’s still not working after two weeks, you may want to call your doctor or a professional sleep consultant for tips and advice.
Ultimately, finding a technique that suits your baby’s needs and preferences will establish healthy sleep habits and enhance family well-being. For more expert tips on baby care and sleep training, visit Moon Mystical today.
FAQs
What is the importance of sleep training?
As babies grow and settle into their routines at home, around 4-6 months old, it’s beneficial to consider sleep training. This process can lead to significant improvements in both babies and parents’ sleep patterns.
Babies learn to sleep through the night and self-soothe, reducing the need for nightly interventions. For parents, this means more restful nights and less stress from interrupted sleep, fostering a healthier family dynamic overall.
Can sleep training have any negative effects on babies?
Sleep training, despite concerns and debates, has not been found to have negative effects on babies according to research. While it may involve initial tears as babies learn to sleep independently, studies do not indicate long-term harm.
Some argue sleep training is crucial for establishing healthy sleep patterns early on, while others express concerns about potential stress for infants.
It’s important for parents to navigate these discussions, prioritize their child’s well-being, and choose methods aligned with their family’s values and needs.
How long does sleep training take?
Sleep training duration varies depending on the method chosen. Methods like Ferber or Cry It Out can often lead to significant progress within three to four nights, with babies becoming sleep-trained despite some initial fussing.
However, methods such as bedtime fading, the chair method, and pick up, put down typically require more time and patience. It’s important to stick with your chosen method consistently for at least two weeks to assess its effectiveness.