You’re not the only one who is up at 2 a.m. with a baby who won’t sleep. One of the hardest things for new parents to deal with is not getting enough sleep.
The good news? There are sleep training methods that have been shown to work that can help your baby develop good sleep habits without making you or your baby cry all the time.
We will talk about the best ways to train babies (0–2 years) to sleep, the pros and cons of each method, tips from real parents, and advice from experts in this article. By the end, you’ll have a plan that works for you and your family to help your baby sleep better.
Why Sleep Training is Important
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that babies need 14 to 17 hours of sleep a day (0 to 3 months) and 11 to 14 hours by age 2.
- Getting enough sleep is good for your brain, mood, and growth.
- Sleep training isn’t about being strict; it’s about slowly teaching your baby how to calm down on their own.
Common Ways to Train Babies to Sleep
1. The Ferber Method (Graduated Extinction)
- How it works: Parents put the baby in the crib while they’re awake, leave the room, and come back at longer and longer intervals to comfort the baby without picking them up.
- Best for: Babies who are 6 months or older and can calm themselves down.
- Good things: Fast results, well-researched.
- Cons: Some crying was involved, which isn’t great for parents who are easily upset.
- Affiliate Suggestion: A video baby monitor and a white noise machine make this method easier.
2. The Chair Method
- How it works: The parent sits in a chair next to the crib and moves the chair farther away each night.
- Best for: Parents who want to stop their kids from crying.
- Pros: Soft and slow.
- Cons: It takes time and patience; it could take weeks.
3. The Pick Up / Put Down Method
- How it works: When the baby cries, the parent picks them up, calms them down, and puts them back down when they are sleepy but not asleep.
- Best for: Babies 4 to 8 months old.
- Pros: Builds trust and responsive parenting.
- Cons: Takes a lot of time and could make sleep training take longer.
4. The No Tears Method (Gentle Sleep Training)
- How it works: Parents rock, nurse, or pat the baby to sleep until the baby learns to do it with little stress.
- Best for: Parents who don’t like any crying.
- Pros: Caring and safe for your feelings.
- Cons: It takes longer to get used to, and there is a chance of sleep associations (rocking to sleep).
5. Cry It Out (Full Extinction)
- How it works: Parents put the baby to bed while they are still awake and let them cry until they fall asleep on their own.
- Best for: Babies older than 6 months (if the parents can handle it).
- Pros: The results come the fastest.
- Cons: It’s hard for parents emotionally; it’s controversial.
Tips for Successful Sleep Training in Real Life
- Make a bedtime routine that you stick to: bath, story, lullaby, and then bed.
- Use things that help you sleep, like blackout curtains, swaddles, and white noise.
- Don’t get too excited before bed.
- Stay with it; consistency is important.
💡 Parenting Tip: Keep a sleep log to keep track of patterns and progress.
Safety Tips and Expert Advice
- The American Academy of Pediatrics says that babies should sleep in a crib on their backs without pillows, bumpers, or blankets.
- Co-sleeping raises the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
- Before you start sleep training, you should always talk to your child’s doctor.
Summary: Important Points
- There isn’t a single method that works for everyone to train their sleep.
- For patient parents, gentle methods like the Chair Method or Pick Up/Put Down work well.
- If you’re okay with some crying, faster methods like Ferber or Cry It Out can work.
- Tools like white noise, blackout curtains, and sleep sacks can help with training.
- The most important thing is to be consistent.
Questions and Answers
1. What age is best to start training for sleep?
Most experts say that babies should start around 4 to 6 months, when they can calm themselves down.
2. Will sleep training hurt my baby’s feelings?
No. Research indicates that sleep training does not inflict enduring harm when conducted with consistency and affection.
3. How long does it take for sleep training to show results?
Some methods work in 3 to 7 days, while others take a few weeks.
4. Is it possible to mix different sleep training methods?
Yes. A lot of parents change their plans to fit their baby’s personality.
5. What if the sleep training doesn’t work?
Take a break, check to see if your baby is ready, and then try again later. Every kid is different.
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