Every parent dreams of their baby sleeping peacefully through the night. But to achieve this, some kind of sleep trainingwhich can be difficult. It’s not just about teaching your baby to sleep, but also about learning to manage new sleep-related challenges. parents.
One mother shares that she remembers watching her baby sleep soundly on the monitor and feeling relieved to finally be able to sleep alone. But it wasn’t easy to get to that point.
Before sleep training, she and her husband slept next to their baby, either with the baby in a bassinet or sleeping together in their bed. “While I tried to accept this as the new normal, it became clear to me that it was not sustainable,” she says in an interview with Parents.
After a while, they were both exhausted. “Our baby would wake up every two to three hours and I would breastfeed him whenever he asked for it. I was so tired that I didn’t even notice when he would accidentally hurt me during the day. This made us realise that if we couldn’t stay alert, we might not be able to take care of our baby properly,” she says.
What is sleep training?
Train your child to sleep comfortably for several hours on his or her own. It also means letting your child be alone for a while so he or she can learn to self-soothe and fall back to sleep. Coaches help parents with various strategies related to sleep training that can improve a child’s sleep and help parents as well.
The journey toward sleep training began after her pediatrician told them at her six-month appointment that she was ready to sleep through the night.
After listening to their friends, they contacted sleep consultants who guide parents in sleep training.
Why is it so difficult for parents to train their children to sleep?
Research shows that sleep training can improve mental health for some parents, but it could vary for many.
Change of routines:
Sleep training often involves breaking habits you’re already comfortable with. It means you’re adjusting to a new schedule, and that can be difficult, especially when you’re already sleep-deprived.
For many, sleep training involves changing their baby’s wake-up times, naps, and bedtime rituals. Many also stop breastfeeding their babies to get them to sleep, which can be a significant challenge.
Emotional struggles:
Hearing your baby cry during sleep training can be incredibly difficult. For many, it can trigger memories of their childhood in a difficult environment, making the experience even more intense.
As parents, we have a natural instinct to respond to our baby’s cries, and resisting that impulse can feel overwhelming.
Information overload:
There is a lot of conflicting advice out there about sleep training, from social media to family members. It can be overwhelming to sort through all the information and figure out what works best for your child.
Fear of failure:
When sleep training doesn’t go as planned, it’s easy to feel like you’ve failed as a parent.
Stay constant:
Consistency is key to successful sleep training, but it’s easier said than done.
How to Make Sleep Training Work for Your Family
Be gentle with yourself: Teaching your child to sleep can be one of the hardest things you have to do as a parent. Remember to be gentle with yourself throughout the process.
Don’t think you’re failing: Sleep training can be difficult, but it’s not a sign that you’re failing as a parent. Focus on the positive outcomes and remember that you’re helping your baby learn an important skill.
Stay consistent: Consistency is key. Stick to your plan, even when it’s difficult, and give it time to work.
Working as a team: If you have a partner, make sure you’re both on the same page when it comes to sleep training. Supporting each other can make the process easier.
Limit social media: Try not to compare your experience to other people’s on social media. Focus on what works best for your family.
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