When you think of the term ‘Sleep Training’ do you immediately assume that this is synonymous with “Cry it Out”.
*****I couldn’t disagree more!
Every day I talk to so many parents who call me for advice and help, they are nervous that sleep training will involve hours of crying, and they’re nervous of the distress this will cause.
–I don’t blame you.–
If someone told me to leave my child to cry it out, while making no other changes, I would tell them to take a hike! There is more to sleep training than leaving a child to cry.
When I book someone in for a consultation to do some sleep training, I am going to be looking at every aspect of their child’s sleep.
*Nap timing and length
*Sleep associations
*Sleep environment
*Bed time routine
*How does the child fall asleep
*Is there any sleep debt?
*Nutrition
*Nighttime sleep habits
*Medical issues influencing sleep
*Parental factors influencing sleep
If we don’t review all of these factors and incorporate them into a sleep plan, then this is when ‘Sleep training’ gets a bad rep! Leaving a baby or toddler to cry when none of the above has been assessed often leads to hours of crying and very little sleep. No one wants that!
Even once the above has been assessed, if we need to change how your child falls asleep, we have options!
Gentle or cry based, there is a big spectrum of options when it comes to actually changing the way your child falls asleep.
If you would love some help or know someone that needs help please let them know that we do exist.
