Baby sleep training is the process of getting your little one into a regular sleep routine. The ultimate aim is to train your baby to settle themselves down to sleep independently of you, and to stay asleep throughout the night. There are different approaches to sleep training, so it may take some time to find out which method works best for you.
Before you begin
If you are having difficulty with getting or keeping your baby asleep, then first of all it’s a good idea to get them checked over by a doctor or health visitor. This will rule out any health problems and identify issues such as reflux, colic, or teething. Babies tend to get their first teeth around the age of three or four months.
Telltale signs of teething include flushed cheeks, chewing on objects, and being fretful and finding it more difficult to sleep than usual. Massaging their gums with a cold cloth can help to ease the pressure. If your baby is very distressed, you may need to give them a mild painkiller.
Some parents find that a holistic approach to teething works well, including the use of alternative therapies such as raw unpolished baltic amber teething necklaces. These contain small amounts of a natural analgesic that is released and absorbed into the bloodstream when the necklace is warmed next to the skin.
Sleep training methods
There are broadly speaking two approaches to sleep training: the ‘no-cry’ and the ‘controlled crying’ method. There is no right or wrong method; it’s just a case of finding out what works best for you and your baby. The most important thing is to be consistent in your approach, because it will take a few weeks to get your baby into a routine.
The controlled crying method
Controlled crying, sometimes also referred to as the ‘cry it out’ method, involves putting your baby to bed and allowing them to cry for a controlled period of time. Some parents mistake this for leaving the baby to cry until it falls asleep, but this is not the correct approach. At first, leave your baby for no longer than two to five minutes before going to them.
Briefly reassure your baby but don’t linger and talk or play with them, and leave the room as soon as possible. If they cry for you again, extend the time by a couple of minutes between each visit, until gradually they learn that they can go to sleep without you.
Some parents are uncomfortable with leaving their babies to cry for any length of time, and this method will not be suitable for everyone. However, research has shown that it is not harmful and can be a very effective method of teaching your little one to go to sleep independently of you.
The no-cry method
The no-cry method involves either going to your baby as soon as they cry, or staying with them until they fall asleep. You may want to rock or cuddle your baby until they are on the point of falling asleep, and then putting them to bed. Gradually distance yourself from your baby over a week or so, so eventually they are able to self-soothe themselves to sleep.
Some babies respond to cues such as being picked up and briefly soothed before being placed back in their cot, or verbal cues such as gently repeating a word or phrase.
Be flexible
As previously mentioned, there is no right or wrong way to sleep train your baby, and you do not have to do it at all if you think it unnecessary. All babies are unique, and some are naturally calmer and better sleepers than others.
To give sleep training the best chance of success, establish a regular bedtime routine so your baby comes to recognise the signals that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Make sure that their nursery is dark and quiet, and not too hot or too cold.
Avoid chopping and changing between methods after the first few weeks so that the sleep training has chance to take effect. Remember that there will always be the occasional setback, so be patient and consider if there are any reasons for it, such as illness or teething.
