Stress-Free Sleep Training with 2 Key Understandings

Just before the school year began the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents. Just yesterday the New York Times podcast The Daily headlined their episode The Parents Aren't All Right. 

It's true - parents are stressed out! They are trying to be the best, do all the things, and stay connected 24/7. 

And honestly, I'm waivering on continuing with my social media posts. It's feeding into this idea of "shoulds" and "need to" with constant comparisons and realizations of everything we do wrong (as parents and as people)!

Last night I hosted a free zoom 5 Reasons Why Your Child Woke Up Last Night.

There was a large group of registrants, and I packed in a ton of information in under an hour.

Before I launched into my PPT, I emphasized 2 key understandings. I probably should have made the entire workshop about these points! 

Here's why I'm placing high value on number 1 and 2 listed below. 

IDEA:

Sleep training involves supporting our unique child as they learn new skills. 

1. Putting yourself to sleep is a learned skill.

Notice the language I use: 'putting yourself to sleep.' I don't say 'sleeping independently.' That phrase is misleading! (I know, I'm repeating myself). 

Please understand this - babies need to learn and practice the skill of putting themselves to sleep and back to sleep throughout the night. 

1. Temperament, temperament, temperament.

There is no one size fits all. What worked for one child may not work for your child. Understanding who your child is and adapting your approach will make the sleep training process much less stressful! 

RESOURCE:

This article written by sleep training researcher Macall Gordon is a great summary of how temperament can affect the sleep training process. 

https://sleeplady.com/baby-sleep/baby-sleep-and-temperament/

TIP:

Observe your child as they learn new sleep skills.

Try to put them down calm and awake.

What do they do as they are falling asleep? How do they soothe themsleves? 

Try to intervene less and less as they do more and more!