Overcoming Sleep Training Fears

If you are feeling nervous about sleep training your child, I completely understand your fear and trepidation! I was in the exact same position a few years ago when I was considering sleep training my firstborn. I must have read hundreds of blog posts and articles on how to get my baby to sleep as well as at least 4 books. Sleep was all I could think about but I just wasn’t getting any. And of course the next thing I knew, the feeds on my socials were flooded with advice from both camps. Each sharing their emotionally driven feelings on the subject rather than sharing evidence based research. Here’s the thing, not everybody needs to sleep train! However, healthy sleep is so important for every member of the family. And I know that I am certainly a better mum when I am getting good sleep. Hopefully these points help you to decide if it’s right for you and your family.

1. What is Sleep Training?

First of all, what exactly is sleep training, and more importantly, what is it NOT? Sensationalised articles often claim that sleep training means completely ignoring your baby until the morning but that is absolutely not the case. It’s simply helping your child to learn how to fall asleep independently and teaching them healthy sleep habits. 

2. How do you sleep train?

There are various methods of sleep training. What’s most important is finding the approach that works for you. There are gradual and gentle approaches where the parents are very hands-on throughout the process, as well as less involved approaches that suit some children’s temperaments better. 

3. A common concern: Crying

• Will my baby cry? The most common question I get asked as a child sleep consultant is will my baby cry? With all methods of sleep training, you should expect that your baby will cry. It’s the only way they have to communicate and we have to allow them to use their voice. However, sleep training is not about ignoring your child’s needs and of course, you can respond to them. 

• Do I have to let my baby “cry it out”? Absolutely not, if you are not comfortable with allowing your child to cry then this method isn’t for you. We can find a method that works for your parenting style.

• If my baby cries, will it change our bond? Again, absolutely not. There have been many studies, with large sample sizes and control groups that showed that there was no impact on the parent-child attachment after sleep training. 

• Will crying stress my baby out? No. These studies also showed that cortisol (the stress hormone) was not elevated during sleep training that included crying. These studies are often the ones most mis-quoted. One particular study measured cortisol levels in both mothers and babies during sleep training, and while mother’s cortisol was measured higher, the babies’ cortisol levels remained the same. 

4. Benefits of sleep training:

Healthy sleep is the foundation to a healthy life. As parents it’s our job to help our children get the sleep to support the growth and development that their brain and body needs. An added benefit is that you and the rest of your family will get a more restful night's sleep as well, which means more energy and patience for your little one. 

✨Final Thoughts✨

Prioritising sleep for your entire family means that everybody wins. Remember that you are the expert in your baby, trust your gut to know what’s right for them. If you’re ever feeling uncertain or worried, don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family or professionals for support. You’re doing an amazing job!

Ready to Get Better Sleep?

Choose your preferred child sleep consultancy package to help your family to Get Better Sleep.