How to Choose an Infant Sleep Training Method

The commercials showing a smiling newborn and a happy mother aren't exactly realistic. Several days after you bring your baby home, you might wonder if you're ever going to get a full night's sleep again. But you can train your baby to sleep through the night using an infant sleep training method. There are different types of methods and all of them can be successful. It all depends on your family and, most of all, your baby.

Instructions

1. Research the different options. Most sleep training methods revolve around two options: crying or not crying. The cry it out method says you should put your child to bed awake, and let him fuss until he falls asleep. There are limits on how long you should let your child cry and how often you should check on your child without picking him up. The other method involves no tears. You comfort your child as soon as he cries, with the understanding that your baby understands what he needs and will feel more comfortable falling into a routine if he feels confident that you'll take care of him.

2. Find a method you're comfortable with. If you don't feel comfortable letting your baby cry it out, you won't stick with it. The key to successful sleep training is finding a routine that works for your entire family.

3. Be consistent, but allow some flexibility. Consistency is vital to training your child to sleep. Establish a routine as a family and decide that everyone in the family will follow the same guidelines. However, not every method is right for every child. Give it some time, but if your child is resistant, you might need to change your routine.

4. Choose your method based on your child's age. For the first 3 months, you shouldn't try to train your baby to sleep because he's usually eating round the clock. Around 6 weeks old, start teaching your baby the difference in night and day. Once your child no longer requires night time feedings, you can start sleep training.

5. Understand that sleep training is two parts. You will teach your baby to fall asleep at bedtime, and teach him to fall back to sleep if he wakes up in the night. You need to be consistent with the same sleep training method at both of these times.

6. Talk to your doctor. She may have tips and tricks that would work for you. She can also inform you of any medical conditions that may affect your baby and his sleep.

7. Allow for common sense. Sometimes this is the best method. You don't have to follow an entire method rule by rule. Pick and choose what works for you and create your own sleep training method.

8. Remember every baby is different. Some babies easily fall into a sleep training routine, while others take more work. Be patient and consistent and your baby will soon be sleeping all night long.