Sleep Training: Which Method is Right for My Little?

If you’re reading this, chances are you have or are expecting a baby. It’s all so wonderful and magical, but one of the most challenging things to get adjusted to is the lack of sleep. I recently wrote an Instagram post about the affects of sleep deprivation on parents. They range from physical symptoms like lack of sex drive and blood pressure fluctuations to emotional issues like struggles with mood, anxiety and/or depression.

Just because you become a parent doesn’t mean you have to function on little to no sleep. I am a big believer in “do what works for you family.” Some people can function well with little sleep. I was NOT one of those people, which is why I chose to sleep train my son at 6 months. Sleep training has many benefits for everyone in the family. Consolidated night sleep aids in infant brain development, increases cognitive function and fosters positive parent relationships. However, sleep training gets a pretty bad rap. Lots of people hear the term “sleep training” and immediately think “Cry It Out.” NOT TRUE. As a sleep consultant, CIO is a last resort. In fact, I have never had to utilize true Cry It Out with a client, ever.

Sleep Training Methods

Cry It Out (Extinction): You place baby down awake, close the door, and return 12 hours later. There will be some crying, but your baby will eventually learn to put themselves to sleep. It works the fastest and usually takes 1-2 days before baby is sleeping soundly through the night.

Ferber Method (Check In and Console): Many families are familiar with this method as it is often recommended by pediatricians. There are different variations (Gentle 3/ Controlled Crying) of this method but the basis of these methods encourage parents to check in with their baby at certain time intervals. There is crying involved. However, you are able to provide your baby reassurance throughout the process as they learn to put themselves to sleep. This method takes about 3-5 days before seeing significant improvements.

Sleep Shuffle/ Fading Out Method: This method is also known as the Chair Method and is usually used with older children making the shift from crib to toddler bed. It involves staying in their room until they fall asleep and returning to their room during night wake ups. Every few nights, you will gradually increase the space between you and your child until you are completely faded out of the room. They will gently learn to fall asleep and stay asleep independently with your reassurance. When using this method, it takes about 2-4 weeks before seeing significant improvements in your littles sleep.

Camp Out Method: This is a similar approach to the Sleep Shuffle/ Fading method. It is a great option for families who want to move away from co-sleeping or bed sharing. Once you have a separate sleep space for your little, you begin by place your it right next to your bed. You will stay in the room until your baby falls asleep. If your babe is having a hard time settling, it is ok to pick them up until they calm down and place them back down. Once they are asleep, you are free to leave the room or go to your own bed to get some rest. If your baby wakes during the night, you will return to their bedside. Every few days, you will gradually move their sleep space away until they are as far away as possible (or in their own room). This method takes 3-5 weeks before seeing significant improvements in their little's sleep.

How Do I Know Which Method is Best for My Baby?

When choosing a method for a client I consider a few different things: baby’s personality, parenting style, and level of crying.

Each family has their own ideas about what they hope sleep training will look like. Some methods involve more crying than others. Typically this occurs in the beginning only and tends to yield faster more consistent results. Whereas, methods like the Camp Out Method can take 2-4 weeks to work, if at all.

I know what you’re thinking. “Is crying always involved?” The answer is yes. Some level of crying will always occur. The extent of the crying really does depend on your baby’s personality and how fast they take to the sleep training process. Let me explain why. Imagine you’ve fallen asleep every night for the past 10 years in your nice, comfy bed. All of sudden, you have to fall asleep one the floor. How would you feel? Pissed, right? This is exactly what happens to your baby after they’ve fallen asleep by rocking, snuggling or at the breast or bottle for the first few months of life and all of sudden are put down in their crib awake expected to fall asleep on their own. Crying is just part of the process.

When is The Best Age to Sleep Train?

Typically, the ideal age to sleep train is between 4-5 months of age . Any baby prior to 4 months is considered a newborn. It is not recommended to sleep train during the newborn stage as we do not want to limit caloric consumption. It is perfectly normal for babies ages 0-3 months to be waking for 2-3 night feedings.

I recommend sleep training around 4.5 months, AFTER the Four Month Sleep Regression. I suggest this age because, a four month old baby protests WAY LESS than a 12 month old baby. They are still learning about object permanence (when you are and are not present) and chances are will not cry nearly as much or as intensely as an older baby.

If you have a little who is not quite at the four month mark or is not cleared for sleep training yet, check out my blog post titled Building The Foundations of Sleep During the Newborn Stage.

If you're tired of DIY-ing your baby's sleep and you're ready to get the sleep you deserve, you can schedule a free consultation with me here!