10 Things to Know Before Beginning Sleep Training

If you’re a new parent struggling to sleep, I’m here to tell you this one thing: sleep training is a godsend! 

No, sleep training doesn’t just mean cry-it-out. Here are 10 things you need to know about sleep training before deciding if this is for you and when to get started.

1. There are professionals out there to help you!

I am a pediatric sleep consultant, and my job is to help you teach you how to teach your baby to sleep independently. My role as a sleep consultant is to assess your personal situation with your unique child and your opinions about how you want to approach sleep training. I will make you a customized sleep plan and support you through the changes you are making. You are not alone!

2. Know your child’s specific sleep needs

Before beginning sleep training, you must have age-appropriate sleep expectations: how much your child should sleep, how often they need to sleep, where, when, and how they need to sleep. Knowing all these things will allow you to go into sleep training with the proper expectations.

3. Have a commitment to consistency 

Forget the mentality of “I’ve tried everything!” There’s no need to try one thing one night and a new strategy another. That’s not how babies, toddlers, kids, or even adults, learn! Consistency is key!

4. You need good communication with all caregivers 

Whether or not your child is being cared for by yourself, grandparents, or a daycare provider, everyone needs to know what exactly your child needs to fall asleep. Everything in your child’s sleep plan should be communicated to everybody who cares for your child.

5. Proper timing with life events 

It is not time to sleep train if you are moving houses, changing jobs, if your child is starting daycare, or having a new baby: if any significant life changes are happening, it’s not the best time to introduce new sleep habits. You want to ensure a calm, even time of life before jumping into sleep training.

6. Have realistic expectations with crying

Anytime you change your child’s routine, there will, unfortunately, be some tears. Even the most gentle sleep training methods involve significant change; your child will react to that! Yes, there are sleep training methods that avoid crying as much as possible. However, it is unrealistic to expect there will be no tears in the process.

7. Have flexibility in reading your baby’s cues 

Sometimes your baby will cry differently than the night before, and sometimes you must adjust and make changes. Yes, you need to stay consistent, but it’s essential to read your baby’s cues and meet them where they are. You need to ensure you are meeting your baby’s needs, and sometimes: things happen in the middle of the night! These are humans, not robots! It’s essential to have the flexibility: maybe your baby pooped, maybe they soaked through their diaper, perhaps they are teething! Having the flexibility to adjust your plan as needed to fit your child’s needs is so important!

8. Make sure everything is GOOD!

This is what I call the category of GOOD!

Make sure your baby has the following: 

Good health

• Self-explanatory! You don’t want your child to be sick while trying to sleep on the train. Everyone has higher sleep needs when sick. Sleep is healing!

Good feeding routines

• This goes for younger babies who are 4-6 months old. They are still very new to this world and how and when to eat! Making sure you have those routines established before sleep training is critical. 

Good sleep environment 

• you need to make sure you are following the ABCs of sleep: Alone, on their Back, and in the Crib. You also want to ensure the bedroom around them is appropriate. The room should be blackout dark, have white noise, and be between 68 and 72 degrees so your baby is not too cold or too hot.

Once everything is all GOOD! You know your child’s needs are met, and you can proceed with sleep training!

9. Emotional Support During the process

Whatever sleep training method you choose: gentle and gradual, or quick like a rip of a bandaid: it’s vital to have an emotional support system. Whether that’s with your partner, your mom, a friend, or anyone! And HELLO! That’s precisely what I do as a sleep consultant. I can’t tell you how many times I tell moms, give yourself more credit, don’t be so hard on yourself! You’re not screwing up your kid! Your kid will not hate you! They will love you so much because they will be well-rested and happy! Having that support through sleep training is so important for you and your baby.

10. Expectations of sleep regressions 

Just because you are sleep training and your baby is learning to sleep through the night does not mean they will not go through regressions, because spoiler alert: they are! Whether or not your baby learns how to sleep independently, there will be sleep regressions. 

I have several videos covering sleep regressions:

4 month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW-QU8qUHPA

8-9 months: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx5kAKKLIJ4

18 months: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f21skpPksLs

2-year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V1As2309cM

With that, I also have a video about BURST NIGHT! Which is the first thing that will happen with sleep training. It’s going to get better: but then your child will regress for about one night, and then things will get better again. For more details about burst night, watch the full video here:

Ready for a sleep coach NOW?

if you’re ready to start sleep training, let’s set up a time to chat!