Sleep training newborns is a process that allows babies to rest more soundly, get the sleep they need, and ultimately catch up on development. A good sleep schedule is key to healthy physical and mental development. As a parent, you may not know the best sleep training method for your newborn. Keep reading to learn more about different sleep-training methods for newborns.
Getting your newborn to sleep can be an overwhelming task and it’s important to be knowledgeable about what sleep training tactics will work for them. Research shows that sleep training is beneficial to your baby’s overall health, development, and adult sleeping habits in the long term. So, let’s take a look at some of the best sleep-training methods for newborns.
It’s important to note that while all of these methods may be helpful, each baby responds differently. Depending on your baby’s temperament and developmental level, one of these sleep-training methods may be more beneficial than others.
The Gradual Withdrawal Sleep Training Method
The gradual withdrawal method is also known as the “Ferber” method. The theory behind this method is to comfort your newborn, but then leave the room before they are fully asleep. As time passes, you gradually increase the intervals between checks. Research shows that this method can be successful in training your baby to sleep within a week.
With this method, it is important to be consistent, allowing your newborn to learn the new sleeping habit. Remember to be firm, but also gentle with your newborn throughout the training process.
The Extinction Method
The extinction method is also called the “cry it out” method. Parents practicing this method will put their newborn in their crib, and then simply allow them to cry until they fall asleep.
Oftentimes, parents experience a great deal of guilt or anxiety when using the extinction method. However, it is important to remember that studies have shown that it is an effective sleep-training technique. The most important advice when using this method is to never allow your newborn to cry for more than the recommended length of time.
It is also important to make sure you stay consistent and patient while implementing this method. If your baby doesn’t seem to understand the sleep training process, they may take a few nights to get the hang of it.
The “5 S’s” Sleep Training Method
This sleep training method is based off of Dr. Harvey Karp’s book, “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” The 5 S’s stands for: Swaddle, Side/Stomach position, Swing, Shush, and Suck.
The goal of this method is to simulate the womb environment for your newborn. The rocking and shushing helps the baby to feel comfortable and at ease before bedtime. Additionally, the swaddle helps the baby to feel warm and safe while sleeping.
As with all sleep-training methods, consistency is key. Following this method to the same routine each night should help your newborn get used to the bedtime process.
Additional Tips To Try
- Adding a sleep time routine can help your baby to understand when it is time for sleep.
- Make sure the environment is dark and quiet, and the temperature is comfortable.
- Consider using a white noise machine or fan in their bedroom if they have trouble sleeping.
- When putting your newborn down for sleep try to avoid picking them back up.
Conclusion
Sleep is an important part of your newborn’s development and it is important to find the right sleep training method for them. Remember to be patient and consistent with your newborn and the sleep training process. The right sleep-training method should help your newborn sleep through the night.