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3 Day Sleep Training!
Mothers need sleep just as much as babies do! I believe that sleep training is as rewarding for the baby as it is for the mother. Here are my secrets!! My babies have all been exclusively breastfed but I'm sure formula fed babies can benefit from this post as well. I do my sleep training later than most, but it's what works best for me. I have a hard time moving my baby from my room to their room; it's the first sign that they are growing up! But there definitely comes a time when we are both ready for the change, and that is usually around 7 months. I try to wait until after I begin solids so that I know they have enough in their belly to go a full 8 hours. I do feed 1 time per night until after they turn one. I had the hardest time when I had my first and everyone talked about their baby sleeping through the night. After a lot of research I came to the conclusion that 'sleeping through the night' meant sleeping 8 hours. It's not until later that they sleep the full 12 hours without waking up. I have done this method with all 3 of my kids and I have 3 of the best sleepers! I feel bad for people that have kids waking up all night long. We aren't even quiet and my kids never wake up. It's awesome!! So, the first night you decide to take the plunge and sleep train you have to be strong!! They will cry a lot this first night. Put them to bed as you normally would and then hope for the best. When your baby wakes up you can't go in there at all. I know a lot of people will try to put the binkie back in the mouth, rub their back, let them know you are there, etc. But you just can't! That night you will feel really bad, like you are abandoning them...but just know that they will forgive you! The first night they might cry anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, or even 2 hours. It's usually just off and on crying, fussing, getting mad and frustrated but they WILL go back to sleep. Let them cry until after it's been about 6 to 8 hours since you put them to bed. My daughter likes to eat at 6 hours and go the extra 6 before she is up for the day. My son liked the 8 and 4. Whatever works for you is just fine, as long as it's only once!! Day 2 you will notice the crying is much less. Maybe only 30 minutes of fussing. They should remember that crying all night didn't get them anywhere and just go back to sleep. (as long as you didn't break down and cheat and go in there!) Day 3 is always amazing. They might wake up or they might just sleep right through the night! It's really crazy how fast it works. You just have to commit to the process and let it work!! Yes, there will be one million reasons why this might not work for some. But so far, with 3 kids, it's worked for me! (and a few of my siblings/friends). If you can't commit, then don't waste your time. Also, I have found that if you wait too long the results vary. If they can stand up and scream at the top of their lungs or try to crawl out of the crib, you waited too long. After they learn to self sooth you can begin to put them in their crib for naps and nighttime without rocking them to sleep. You can start using their cues to know that they are tired; rubbing eyes, yawning, fussiness, etc. Then you just lay them in their bed and they will go to sleep. It might take a time or 2 for them to get used to this but eventually they will know the drill. Wait until you are finished sleep training at night before you try nap time :) Teething, upset tummy, sickness, gas, etc, etc, etc....these things can all affect how your baby sleeps. But try your best to use your judgment. I can always tell when my baby is upset vs just trying to self sooth. I try not to ever get her unless I know she needs me. You are the mom and you know them best. Once they are through the training it will be easier to know if you need to go in and get them or just let them self sooth. Good luck and enjoy your sleep!!