Sleep training your child at the right time will help them acquire the right skills to enable them to stay awake or sleep independently. The process should start when the child is four months and above.
Parents with children who are yet to acquire the ability to have a nap on their own can attest to the exhaustion they face at the end of the day.
Before your child learns to sleep independently, you have to soothe them during bedtime and at night when they wake up. That is why it is essential to train babies to learn when to sleep and how to sleep.
Sleep training is the act of training a child on how to sleep without acquiring any help from their caregiver. In this guide, we will discuss
• Methods used to sleep train a child
• Sleep training tips
• When to try it
Common methods that train your child on how to sleep
The objective of a successful sleep training technique is to assist your kid in acquiring the capabilities of falling asleep independently. The following are some of the methods you can use to train your kid to sleep.
• The chair method
The methods entail putting your kid in their baby cot while they are heavy-eyed while you sit in the chair next to them. When they fall asleep, you can walk away and leave the room. Be that as it may, in case the child wakes up, go and repeat the procedure.
• Pick up and put down method.
This method aims to give your kid a face-to-face solace. Just pick your child up when they start fussing, soothe them, then put them down when they settle.
• Cry it out method
This technique entails placing your child on their baby cot when you notice they are tired and awake. As a result, they learn how to put themselves to sleep. However, the procedure requires you to ensure the baby is fully fed, have fitting boys pyjamas, and clean the diapers.
Sleep training tips
The following are some sleep training tips that can help your newborn have a smoother transition to dreamland.
• Always put down your baby when awake
The key objective of undergoing sleep training is to assist your kid in sleeping independently. You should not rock your baby in your arms until they sleep. Always put down your child when they are still awake.
• Don’t be quick to respond
When your baby is sleeping, it is okay for them to cry and then fall back to sleep. The first whimper is not enough for you to rush and pick them up. Don’t respond to every noise your baby makes.
• Know how to checkout for tiredness signs
it is advisable for mothers or child caregivers to check for sleeping cues like crankiness, yawning, or eye rubbing. These signs happen almost the same time during the night. It is recommendable that you should put your child to bed when they are sleepy and not overtired. On most occasions, when a baby is overtired, it will take them more time to sleep. However, ensure your baby is well-fed, the diaper is dry, and it has comfortable boys pyjamas.
• Have a sleep routine
it is recommendable that you should follow a baby sleep routine of 30 to 45 minutes. Adhering to this schedule will help your little one to develop awake time to sleep time.
When should you try it?
Professional doctors recommend that you begin sleep training your young child when they are about four months old or a little later when they are six months.
When babies are within this age, most of them can calm down on their own and may not need you to feed them at night. For instance, when your baby is four months, their sleeping cycle should start maturing. If you are not sure when to begin the process, it is advisable to consult your paediatrician.
Conclusion
Parents should aspire to see their babies learn how to fall asleep on their own. Whether your child wakes during the night or wants to sleep, they should learn to fall asleep independently without your assistance. This action gives parents and care gives enough time to rest and relax.