Sleep Training: A Lifeline for Exhausted Parents
Exhausted parents, take heart! Sleep training, a process to teach babies to fall asleep independently, is here to help. Pediatrician Noah Schwartz recommends the 'Pause-Play-Play' method, typically taking 7 to 14 days. Other methods like Ferber's, pick up-put down, and cry-it-out also exist. Studies show sleep training boosts parents' mood, babies' sleep quality, and attachment.
Babies can start sleep training around 4 months, when they're old enough to self-soothe. The Ferber method involves timed check-ins, while pick up-put down soothes babies mid-cry. Cry-it-out, on the other hand, involves leaving the baby to settle independently overnight.
Night weaning helps transition babies away from night feeds. Bedtime fading adjusts bedtime gradually, and the chair method involves moving away from the crib until the baby sleeps alone. All these techniques aim to help babies learn this crucial development skill.
Sleep training, with its various methods, is a lifeline for tired parents. It improves babies' sleep, parents' mood, and strengthens the bond between them. With patience and consistency, babies can learn to self-soothe, making nighttime peaceful again.
