12 Mar LOOKING TO SLEEP TRAIN YOUR CHILD: HERE ARE SOME TIPS
Sleep training is the process of training young children to fall asleep on their own. It is typically by means of different techniques used by parents to adjust their child’s sleep behaviors. Sleep training is more about being able to teach your child that they are capable of falling asleep independently. You want your child to be able to fall asleep on their own—ideally without nursing, rocking or using a pacifier.
These are the different types of sleep training techniques:
1. Teaching your baby to self-settle or self soothe-this means teaching your little one how to fall asleep on his own without needing your help.
2. Gradual retreat, or ‘disappearing chair’– this technique is best for parents who want to be in the room with their little one as he learns how to fall asleep on his own. It provides a more gentle approach to baby sleep training.
3. Controlled crying– this is an (often controversial) form of sleep training, where you allow your baby to cry for short, specified periods of time before going in to offer comfort.
4. Pick up, put down -this approach means that once you’ve officially put your little one to bed, you pick your baby up when they start fussing and put them down once they are falling asleep again.
5. ‘No cry’ approach -the ‘no cry’ approach doesn’t mean that your sleepy baby will never cry, but means that you remain with them to comfort them or at least take a flexible approach to bedtimes.
In previous research done it appears that some parents prefer to use the ‘No cry’ approach. This is a better approach as most parents don’t want to frustrate their kids when sleep training. Here are some practical tips in finding a no tear solution:
• Establish a regular nap schedule. A consistent sleep routine during the daytime helps regulate nighttime sleep.
• Put your baby to bed on the early side, such as 6:30 or 7 o’clock. Do not fall into the trap of keeping your baby awake so that they will be more tired. An overtired baby may actually have a harder time getting to sleep. Some experts say babies who go to bed earlier sleep longer, too.
• Make changes slowly. If your baby is on a later schedule, do not suddenly move bedtime from, say, 9:30 to 7 o’clock. Make bedtime a little earlier each night until you reach the time that seems best for your baby.
• Find a soothing bedtime routine and stick to it. For example, a bath, then a book, then a lullaby, then bed, at the same time every night.
• Develop some keywords to signal to your child that it is time for sleep. It could be a simple “ssshhhh” sound or a softly spoken phrase like “It is sleep time.” Repeat the sound or phrase when you’re soothing your child to sleep or back to sleep so they will associate it with bedtime.
• Create a comfortable sleep environment that is tailored to your child. Some babies need more quietness and darkness than others. Soft music or nature sounds can be soothing.
• Do not respond to every noise your child makes. Learn to distinguish a real cry from a sleepy whimper. If you’re not sure, it is okay to wait for a minute outside the door so you will not disturb them if they are actually asleep.
This post is from Nairobi Nanny, a company that offers experienced house managers and nannies. For more information email us on info@nairobinanny.com or call +254708518470.
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