How to Sleep Train

Contrary to popular belief, sleep training does not scar your child for life. I sleep trained my son at 15 months old. I read articles online and got advise from moms on www.cafemom.com. With all that information, I pasted it together and came up with my sleep training approach. Everyone must tweak the sleep training technique to fit their own children. I will give you some basic tips and pointers to get you started on the road to a good night's sleep.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A consistent routine
• Maybe a favorite blanket or stuffed animal of your child's
• A few good movies or distracting activities (for the parents)

1. If you don't already have one, get a consistent bed time routine going for your child. I would suggest a bubble bath first (with lavender scented soap to sooth your baby), dress for bed, brush their teeth (or gums if they are not teething yet), say night night to the family with hugs and kisses, favorite stuffed animal or blanket in hand and time for bed.

2. Pick a bedtime. Part of having a consistent routine is having a set bedtime every night. I realize life happens and we can't be on the minute every night, however, I don't suggest straying more than half an hour before or after the set bedtime. Consistency is the key.

3. It is up to you if you want to lay your child straight down to bed or sing them a lullaby first. Either way keep bedside good night routine brief. Do not let them fall asleep on your shoulder either, they must realize bed is for going to sleep. Say good night, kisses and hugs, lay them down and walk out of the room.
   I am not going to lie to you, the first 3-4 nights are usually filled with lots of screaming and crying. Hang in there, it gets better.

4. The experts say to check on them every 15-20 minutes until your baby falls asleep (www.askbaby.com). We tried that the first night and it took our son 3 hours to give up and go to sleep. The next night we tried just letting him cry it out without going in at all and he was asleep within 35 minutes. Like I previously stated, every parent must tweak the technique to their child.

Tips & Warnings

• I waited to sleep train until my son was completely weaned from nursing. Since the baby usually falls into a fairly deep sleep while nursing it can make sleep training inconsistent and more difficult.
• Having a good movie to watch or an activity for you to do while your child is crying it out helps the nerves. It is also a good way to stay busy so you don't go in every 5 minutes to pick them up.
• White noise is an awesome tool. Whether you put a soothing CD on repeat or have a fan going all night, if there is soft noise in your babies room they are less likely to be disturbed by typical house hold noises.
• If your baby throws up from crying it out try tweaking the technique a little bit. Be sure to check diapers and bedding. If something is uncomfortable they will not go down very easily.