Sleep Training Misconceptions

“Sleep training.”

Does that sound awful to you? For some parents, the word “training” is so off-putting. It has such a negative association and my goal today is to fix that.

I’m sure you plan on teaching your child appropriate behavior. I’m also sure you’ll teach your child how to use the toilet. Teaching your child healthy sleep habits is the exact same concept.

Call it sleep training, call it sleep coaching or sleep learning, whatever you want to call it, your child is learning sleep habits and YOU are the one that is shaping them.

For starters, sleep training DOES NOT mean cry-it-out. Yes, that is ONE method, but it is the most firm method out there and may not be the best choice for your child. There are gentle methods and I choose the method that is best fit for your baby and your family. I would never encourage you to say goodnight to your baby and not return to them until morning.

You can still cuddle your baby! Many parents come to me with concerns that they won’t be able to rock their baby or cuddle them anymore. I will be the first parent to tell you that cuddles are SO IMPORTANT during bedtime routines. I have 3 of my own kids, ages 1, 3 and 4 and I still cuddle each of them at bedtime. There is a time and a place for everything and cuddling belongs in the bedtime routine, just not necessarily used as a way to get your baby to fall asleep. Self-soothing is still an important factor in independent sleep. Your baby won’t love you any less for teaching her self-soothing skills, she will actually be happier when she wakes up well-rested.

Sleep training does not damage your baby. In this article by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the authors conclude that “parents and health professionals can feel confident using behavioral techniques for managing infant sleep.” There is no evidence that sleep training causes any long term physiological effects on your child. Not only will your child benefit from being well-rested, but as parents, you will also improve your mental health and feel more rested, more patient, more energetic and more like yourself and less like a zombie. You will be able to enjoy the little moments with your baby and help her practice milestones, instead of chugging coffee in hopes of finding a few hours of energy at the bottom of your mug. You’ll be able to spend more time with your spouse in the evenings after your child goes to bed (and you don’t have to go in her room every 45 minutes).

If you still have questions, email me: helloslumberandbloom@gmail.com

I am proud to say that I am a loving mother and my kids are HAPPY and well-rested. All 3 of my kids have been sleep trained and I would never do anything to damage my kids. Knowing that I’ve been in your position and helped teach my children healthy sleep habits should encourage you and help you understand that my strategies to help your family come from my heart and my desire to help families in need. You don’t have to struggle and you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re ready to start working together, let’s set up a time to chat!

Some things to think about when deciding when you want to start sleep training your baby/toddler:

Sweet Dreams!

Missy Yandow

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