Sleep Training Methods
Evidence shows that a well-rested child is
curious, energetic, happy, playful, and eager to learn.
Can You Help My Baby Sleep Through the Night Without Crying It Out?
When you are with your child, comforting and nudging your child in the direction of sleep, your child will cry a lot less. Your child’s stress will be a lot less than if you left your child to cry. And even less than if you checked on your child every few minutes.
Babies learn so fast and welcome the changes. In only a few nights, parents often report that their babies cry less than before they made sleep changes.
If Your Baby Won’t Sleep, Help Is Here
I will show you how to watch for signs of success, even while your child is protesting change. Signs of success are signs that your child is actively working to put himself or herself to sleep, and these can look like: sucking on hands and fingers, kicking legs, turning head from side to side, rolling onto one side, bringing a blanket or lovey up to the face, and more.
The program works because I’ll show you a simple, step-by-step process that includes exactly what to do every day and night. And I stay with you every step of the way.
There’s no confusion. There’s no guessing. I’ll explain to you WHY the steps are important and then support you completely as you follow them. The plan is customized to your child. A sensitive child will respond better to one approach, whereas an active child will respond better to another.
My Sleep Training Methods
Baby Not Sleeping? How I Can Help
Every child is different, and my approach varies at least slightly with every child I work with, so please keep in mind that this is a general outline of the methods that I use for each age group.
The best thing about working with me is that I will tailor a sleep plan for your child and work with you for up to a month, supporting you, encouraging you, and navigating challenges as soon as they arise, before they snowball into major issues.
With that being said, here are the general methods per age group that I most often use, and the ones that I don’t use, and why.
Sleep Help For Newborns and Younger Babies
Can You Help My Newborn Baby Sleep?
How Will You Help My Newborn Baby Sleep?
As with older babies and toddlers, I take an in-depth assessment of each family’s daytime and nighttime situation to come up with a personalized sleep plan. This personalized plan, along with my unlimited support for the few weeks that we work together, will ensure that your newborn will be on the way towards healthy sleep for nighttime and naps.
Sleep Help For Babies 3 Months and Older
In the first week or two of sleep training, a child is learning how to go to sleep without sleep props. Your baby may also have a sense of “object permanence” (your baby will know when you are out of the room). Being away from a parent, along with the new change in sleep habits may cause even more crying. I have found that babies cry a lot less when parents are in the room. Babies cry less when parents comfort and soothe their child without re-stimulating them.
In some cases, an interval method, or leave and check method may be the better method of choice. This all depends upon your family situation and how your baby responds. I work with you to know when and how to use different methods.
Often I combine various approaches of sleep training. In all cases, guide you to soothe and comfort. And I show you how to do this without confusing or re-stimulating which causes excess crying.
Sleep Help For Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Older Children
Don’t believe it’s possible? Book a call with me and I will point you in the direction of several of my toddler parents who will happily tell you their success stories!