I was always afraid to have children because of the lifestyle I would of have to give up. I was a Cirque du Soleil performer, which means I was going to bed at 3 AM after shows and waking up around 10 AM. I loved my routine and it worked great for my husband and I, a performer as well. I couldn’t imagine getting up at 6 AM, being productive and taking care of a little human. Just the thought of it was inconceivable.

Next thing you know, I got pregnant and here we were! When I had my son Luca, I was up in the middle of the night searching the internet for some help on how to sleep train your newborn. My beauty sleep was gone forever, and I would never be able to sleep in AGAIN!! Or so I thought…

Quite the contrary, not only do I get loads of sleep, but I am making it a priority for my whole family.

I started to sleep train my baby boy at 4 months and he was sleeping from 7:30PM to 7AM. He took 3 solid naps during the day, one cat nap in the evening, would fall asleep easily at bedtime and would sleep through the night. If I would be tired, it would be because I was going to bed too late, and that was my fault! It was not because my little man was waking me up at night. If you are interested in feeling rested, like a champion, and ready to accomplish all the things you love, I would say to sleep train your newborn and get them on a schedule.

Disclaimer!! This is not for everyone. Having your baby on a schedule might be too strict for you. And that is ok! But for us, with sleep training, we have so much freedom because of our routine. My husband and I get to plan our day and we have our nights to do what makes us happy! We have some “ME” time and that’s what works for us. Our baby goes to bed at 7:30PM and we have a couple of hours to ourselves. For us, this is priceless and that’s what we want for our family.

This is what worked for us! Every child is different and every family has their reality and lifestyle. But I believe that establishing a schedule for your baby is the way to go. I am a true believer that you can have it all. For us, knowing when our baby is going to sleep gives us freedom and we can have a busy and accomplished life while having a rested child.

When you think of sleep training, you might think it means a rigid schedule and you want flexibility: for your own sanity and to allow your family to be out and about. However, by having a predictable routine, this actually allows for flexibility. Instead of wondering when the heck or how the heck you are going to get your child down, you will have CONFIDENCE and ASSURANCE that with your guidance, baby will be down within minutes of being in the crib. If there is a variation in schedule, they will know how to go back to their routine quickly and they will take less time to readjust to the new schedule. It’s a win-win for everyone.

The best thing you can do to help your baby to become a great sleeper is to teach them how to fall asleep independently. Without sleep training, many factors can mess with your newborns ability to sleep. Newborns are developing so fast and we need to constantly adjust to their needs. You may think you got things figured out, yay!… The next thing you know they are changing again! Your baby used to fall asleep rocked in your arms in 2 minutes. You think, wououuu that’s easy, I can do this. Next thing you know, 3 days later, that trick doesn’t work anymore. Newborns keep the parents on their toes and switch things up so fast! Thus, training your newborn to fall asleep independently is crucial – they will literally adjust to their own changes.

Facts about sleep for newborns

Now that your baby is a few weeks old, what can you do to teach them how to fall asleep unassisted (1)? Before talking about how to sleep train your newborn, here are some facts about sleep.

Fact # 1- Newborns sleep 16-18 hours a day total in 6 -7 short sleep periods.

Fact # 2- Newborn’s sleep is random. They usually sleep for about 2 hours followed by a varied period of wakefulness, then sleep again for 2 hours.

Fact # 3- At around 3-4 months, most babies circadian rhythm (2) changes. Mainly, rather than random sleep patterns, they will stay awake for longer periods of time during the day and most of their sleep will happen at night.

Tips to help your newborn become a great sleeper

1- Teach your baby to develop self-soothing techniques (3).

2- Watch your baby’s sleepy cues and put them down as soon as they show any signs of tiredness, usually between 1 to 1.5 hours of being awake.

3-Establish a eat, play, sleep routine for daytime.

4- Put your baby down awake, but drowsy.

5- Keep the night feedings boring and in the dark, no play!

6- Try to put your baby down in their crib at least once a day if you are used to rocking, bouncing or walking them to sleep. It will teach him the skills to fall asleep without your help at least once a day.

7- Create a calming environment for your baby to sleep in (4).

8- Use a white noise machine.

9- Swaddle your baby. If your baby is able to roll, wean the swaddle.

10- Keep a sleep log. It helps to establish a sleep schedule for your little one and his sleep progression.

11- Dress your baby comfortably for naps and bedtime.

12- Create a consistent bedtime and a naptime routine.

13- Keep your baby awake during feedings.

——>  You got this!

It is definitely easier to “survive” your baby’s first weeks of life if you get some rest while your baby sleeps. I would suggest you put the chores on the side for a few weeks. Take time to recover from the birth, (yes dads that is for you too!) and to focus your little one’s need. If you are a breastfeeding mother, bond with your baby to establish and facilitate easy latching.

I hope this is helpful! I honestly think that the newborn phase is a blessing and it goes way too fast. I am sure that as parents you have heard this a lot, but I’ll say it again! ENJOY your little bundle of joy while you can. They are growing so fast and soon these moments will be memories!

As Always, Sleeping Babies=Happy Families

Much Love

Eve

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Sleep training at 12 weeks

Your baby is 12 weeks old…Where did the time go? At this age, your little one is going through incredible transformations and rapid development (1). Just as you are getting used to sleeping a little more and for a longer period of time, heads up, your baby is now likely to go through a growth spurt.

When babies go through development milestones (2) or growth spurts, their little bodies are working extra hard. They might wake up more frequently to feed, or they may want to eat larger amounts and more often, or they might seem a bit more restless than usual. However, they will also need to sleep more. There is nothing you can do about it, as it is a natural milestone that every baby goes through. Some babies won’t show signs of going through this growth spurt, while others will definitely be affected by it. It is the beauty of life, and we have to roll with it!

By 12 weeks old, your baby is probably sleeping 12 hours at night, broken up by two or three feeds between their bedtime and when they wake up. They’ll also be taking about three to four naps a day, of varying lengths. You’ve probably begun to notice a sleep pattern, so it is recommended to start to introduce a routine. You can start to create a routine for your baby as early as a few weeks old! It’s worth doing while they are little, so they get used to the idea of going to bed at certain times during the day. Their circadian rhythm, our internal clock, is starting to be established, another reason to put them down roughly at the same time for naps and night time.

Babies and toddlers need regular daytime sleep (3) in order to sleep well at night. If they get over-tired, they actually have a harder time to settle at night. I know it sounds funny, doesn’t it? It will be harder for your baby to go down at bedtime and they might wake up more often at night.

It’s too early to start sleep training at 12 weeks old. BUT it is not too early to foster great sleeping habits and to create healthy sleep routines. Here are a few steps you can start to implement now:

Sleep training at 12 weeks old

1- Always put your baby on their back to sleep and make sure there are no fluffy blankets, pillows or stuffed animals in the crib.

2- Try to put your baby down in their crib at least once a day. This is a great time to introduce the crib for naps and to stop using the swings, bouncers, etc. to put her to sleep.

3- Look at your baby’s sleepy signs, such as; rubbing eyes, pulling ears, zoned-out stare, fussiness, etc. Look at the clock. BUT don’t swear by it either. The clock is a tool to help you create a schedule. Being in sync with your baby’s sleepy cues is more important. They should be awake for an hour, more or less, between each nap. If you miss your baby’s sleepy signs, they will become over tired and will have a hard time to fall asleep.

4- Because they are more aware of their surroundings, they need more than ever, to start to use their self-soothing skills to fall asleep. It will become more difficult to fall asleep on their own and they might need your help. It is at that point that most families start to need sleep guidance because they don’t know how to support their baby’s need. It is often around 12-18 weeks of age that sleep starts to regress. Teaching self-soothing skills to your baby is the best thing you can do to create healthy sleeping habits. You will also benefit from it, because once they are sleeping through the night, you will sleep like a baby yourself!

5- Create a soothing, predictable and consistent bedtime routine, that is the same every time. Take a bath, play a song, read a book, sing a song, do a massage, use essential oils etc.…If you have a consistent routine, your baby will eventually know what’s going to happen next…bedtime!

6- Put her down when she is drowsy but awake. Refrain from the temptation to put her down completely asleep. The goal is for them to learn how to put themselves to sleep without your help.

7- Encourage your baby to practice self-soothing skills. Don’t rush into the room as soon as they squirm. Give them a chance to learn how to fall asleep unassisted and to find their own way to self-sooth. This is sooooo important!

8- At 12 weeks of age, more or less, your baby may start to go to bed earlier at bedtime. Nap times are still very erratic and inconsistent. It might be very frustrating, I know it! In a few weeks though, she will be able to sleep for longer periods of time, she will be able to self-soothe and they will be able to sleep for even longer periods of time! Hang in there moms and dads. You got this!

9- Remember…whatever you do to help your baby to fall asleep, don’t do too much to help them fall asleep. It takes a few nights for your baby to realize you can put them to sleep and that they don’t need to work for it. I know you may be tired and all you want is for them to fall asleep quickly and you want to help them. I totally understand that, I think every parent goes through that. But trust me… in the long run, it will be more difficult for you, and less sleep for everyone if you try to help them go to sleep. If you spend some time now to show your baby how they can fall asleep on their own, the better your life will get! You will get some rest, have more time for yourself and your baby will be learning a lifelong skill! It’s a win-win!

Sleep training at 12 weeks old may be too soon, but there are so many things you can implement in your routine to create a solid sleep foundation for your baby. It is not only healthy for your baby, but it is also fundamental for the parents to get some “ME” time. A well-balanced life is key to survival with or without kids!

As Always, Sleeping Babies=Happy Families

Much Love, Eve

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For some parents, the DockAtot is a life saver, literally! Most families using it swears by it. Others wish they would of never use it because their baby won’t sleep without it. Some have a love hate relationship with it, for the simple reason that babies and parents love it but when it’s time to transition out of the DockAtot, it is sometimes difficult.

What is a Dockatot?

According to the DockAtot company, “they have beendesigned to offer a snug and soothing environment for babies. We like to think it’s the next best thing to the womb. Babies can rest, play and lounge.”

To my opinion, newborns love them and fall asleep easily in it because they give the womb-like feeling they crave and they feel safe and snug. It provides a smooth transition from the utero to the real world. I think it is a great tool to use, while keeping in mind that it may become a sleep association and you will have to transition him/her out of it sooner than later.

The American Association of Pediatrics recommends room sharing but NOT bed sharing, so I can’t recommend using the DockATot in a parent’s bed. I also want to disclaim that I do NOT judge the parents who chose to use the DockAtot. It is my role to share the right information and to educate you on the safety guidelines. To prevent SIDS, “the baby should be placed in a crib with no cover, pillows, bumper pads or positioning devices.”  That means that the DockAtot should not by placed in the crib! OHHHHH that’s news for a lot of parents! Including me! What now?!!!

Where should you use the Dockatot

The DockAtot company suggests to take the crib mattress out of the crib and put it on the floor. Then, place the DockATot on top of the mattress. This prevents a baby from rolling out of the it and becoming entrapped between the crib rail and the DockAtot.

The first option would be to go cold turkey. I would suggest you do it when your baby is 5 month of age, when he/she most likely don’t have the startle reflex anymore and when she/he will have more control over their extremities!

Put your baby in the crib at bedtime. Yes, you may have some hard nights, but to my experience you’ll have the fastest results. It easier to implement this new way at bedtime as the drive to sleep is stronger at night and it will be easier for your baby to fall asleep without it. Focus on eliminating it just for nighttime sleep first. Once your baby is sleeping well through the night without the DockATot, then you can focus on naps.

The second option is to gradually wean from it. For some parents, using the cold turkey method doesn’t seem to be the best option. In that case, I suggest to wean from the DockAtot gradually. This method takes more time and patience.

Put your baby in the crib without the DockAtot and try to elongate the time he/she is without it. When your baby wakes up at night, try to put him/her back to sleep. If you are not successful, put your baby back in the DockAtot and try again the night after. Each night try to get a bit longer in the crib without it and be patient as this could take a few weeks!

If removing the DockAtot is absolutely not working for your child and he/she is regressing a lot with her/his sleep, it might be time to hire a sleep consultant to help you with the process.

Each child is different and each family unique. If you find yourself lost because you have tried everything to help your baby sleep better and through the night, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Your baby will thank you for it!

For more information about the DockAtot, visit their website at https://dockatot.com/!

As Always, Sleeping Babies=Happy Families

Much Love, Eve

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Best Way to Sleep Train Your Baby

There comes a point in life when as a parent, putting your baby down to sleep is difficult and hard, especially when they are crying. If you are like most parents, this idea your baby crying at bedtime or for a nap, is heartbreaking… it might be time that you look for the best way to sleep train your baby without the tears.

Establishing a bedtime routine is key. It cues the child that it is time to sleep for the night. You also need to create short nap routines. Forming the best nap routines is essential to give your baby some time to transition from the busy and playful day to a quiet and calming environment that is designed for him or her to sleep.

It is also paramount to understand that families have unique dynamics and routines and that choosing the best way to sleep train your baby is important and different for each family. I recommend you don’t compare yourself and your child’s sleeping patterns with other families, because each family is not the same.

Everyone will have different advice to give you when it comes to parenting. This is similar when it comes to your child’s sleep! The techniques used to make your baby fall asleep will be different because your baby is unique! It doesn’t mean that the sleep training method that worked for your friend will work for you.

This is why hiring a sleep coach is helpful. We are here to assess your situation, address your sleep concerns and change your routine as your baby progresses with his sleep journey.

When To start Sleep Training

Most sleep training experts would recommend that parents start sleep coaching their babies between the age of 4 to 6 months. They most likely have the capacity to self-soothe and to sleep for longer periods of time. That being said, feeding your baby at night should be a priority, so ask your pediatrician if your baby is ready to start sleep coaching! If you get the green light from your doctor, call me and I will be more than happy to help you reach your sleeping goals.

Keep in mind that every child is different. Some tend to be fast learners while others may not be ready to start using sleep training techniques, until they’ve reached a certain age. It is never too late though! The sleep training method (1) will be different obviously; we would not use the same tools to help a baby, as we would to help a toddler! So yes, the method chosen will vary but the end goal is the same; helping your little one to get a good night of sleep and restful naps.

What to do before sleep training your child (2)

1-Keep your room dark

I also suggest to use blackout curtains, to create a dark environment for your little child. Especially if your baby is an early riser, or if she/he has a hard time napping. If your children see a slight ray of light at 5am-5:30am, it can be enough for them to wake up for the day! If they have been waking up at that time for days and weeks, it will be difficult to change this habit. Because of their circadian rhythm, the internal clock, they are used to waking up at that time. To help you understand that concept, here is an example you can probably relay to. If you are usually getting up at 7am in the morning and I ask you to wake up at 8 or 9am, you would have a hard time. You could stay in bed, but you would roll and turn until 9am. It would not be restorative sleep! This is the same for babies. If they are used to getting up at 5am, it will be very difficult to wake up later. And we all know that getting up at 5am is extremely difficult! Soooo, keep your room dark!!!

2-Talk to your pediatrician

Visit your pediatrician to rule out any medical conditions and certain underlying conditions that can affect your child’s sleep. Such conditions like sleep apnea, where your child stops breathing while sleeping, need to be addressed immediately. Addressing these sleep conditions and finding a treatment is important not only for their health but also important for sleep training and helping them to learn how to fall asleep on their own. You can resume your sleep training program after confirming that the underlying conditions are under control.

3-Routine, routine, routine (3)

Consistency is key when it comes to sleep training and maintaining predictable results, which helps minimize the tears from baby and parent! A lot of parents are at their wits end, cannot deal with crying anymore and are in need of a sleep coach. I totally understand, we don’t like to hear our little ones cry because they are struggling with sleep. I highly suggest to reach out to a sleep professional who will design a personalized plan to meet your child’s needs.

That being said, following a plan and a routine will help your baby and the whole family sleep better and have a more relaxing and predictable lifestyle. Write a sleep log and come up with a nap routine, and a bedtime routine. Try to find your child’s sleeping windows, when he/she is showing signs of being tired, and put your baby down at the same time everyday. This alone will help their sleep patterns tremendously.

4-Don’t rush in the room

It’s normal to take 20 minutes to fall asleep. If you put your head on the pillow and fall asleep right away, you were exhausted and you didn’t have to put yourself down to sleep. You were overtired and crashed on your bed! In normal circumstances, you would need few minutes to fall asleep. It is the same for our babies. They need a few minutes to soothe themselves to sleep. If we go in to check on them and they were on the verge of falling asleep, they would probably be very upset. If they could talk they would probably say: “Hey, why are you here? I was just about to fall asleep!” I understand, as parents we want to check on our little ones to make sure they are ok. But I suggest you wait a little bit before intervening, to let them find their own way to fall asleep, to self-soothe. If you go in too soon, they are not being given the opportunity to learn.

Be patient!

Be patient! Think about your own sleep. If you need to change your sleep schedule, it won’t happen in one day! It will take days to adjust and get good, restorative sleep. Same for babies! When we teach them how to fall asleep independently, it takes time. Especially if they have months or years of inconsistent sleeping habits. It is never too late to find the best way to sleep train your baby!

As Always, Sleeping Babies = Happy Families

Eve

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How to Sleep Train An Infant at night

If your child is struggling to develop good sleeping habits (1) or is consistently waking you up in the middle of the night, then it is high time that you consider adopting an effective sleep training method. If you are ready to sleep coach your infant, sleep needs to become your priority for a little while. I promise you that if you focus on your child’s sleep for a few days, it will pay off! The more a baby sleeps, the more they will need to sleep! I know it sounds funny, but it is true!

First, I suggest you need to learn to put your baby down awake but drowsy so that they learn how to fall asleep without being assisted. It’s even more important to do it at a tender age, as this is the perfect age to teach them how to fall asleep independently. Keep in mind that this will happen if the parent is 100% consistent with their sleeping plan.

Create a consistent and predictable bedtime routine (2). Your baby needs to know that it’s time to sleep and that it’s night night!!! As adults, we need the same thing. We often need a consistent bedtime routine that helps us wind down to get a good night of sleep. We brush our teeth, we read, fix our pillows…whatever we do, it is pretty much the same thing night after night. It’s the same for infants and toddlers. They also need their bedtime routine.

There are several approaches that parents who want to learn how to train infant to sleep at night can use. These approaches may vary, and some of them may entail the baby crying while others are very gentle and involves little or no tears. Different online platforms propose different techniques on how to train infant to sleep at night, and this can be very confusing especially when you are on the verge of figuring out the best approach to start with. It is also very difficult to find the right sleep training method when you are sleep deprived and need a solution now! I suggest to reach out for professional help and get support to help you find what is best for your child and our family dynamic.

If the mother is breastfeeding (3), it is very important to consider this when sleep training an infant. We, as sleep coaches, need to honor the wish of the mom to nurse their baby. If that is the case, we have to create a sleeping plan that allows the mom to do so. If the plan is to wean the feeds at night, it won’t be honoring her breastfeeding goals. That’s why hiring a sleep coach that supports breastfeeding is important. If that is the mother’s goal obviously!

Each baby is unique, and that’s why I recommend taking the time on how to train infant to sleep at night and to choose a method that fits best your baby’s temperament and needs.

Sleep training methods

Fading

The fading method is very gentle approach and requires time and commitment from the parents of the caretakers. With this approach, you offer support and comfort to your baby and as time goes by, you will decrease your soothing support so that he/she learns to fall asleep without your help. For example, if you are used to rocking your baby for more than an hour before she/he can sleep, you may need to reduce this duration to 45 minutes or less with time. Shorten the period for rocking until you are in a position to rock the baby for less than 10 minutes before it falls asleep. This technique is for families who prefer sleep training techniques that do not involve their babies crying.

Controlled Crying method

This technique involves allowing your child to cry out as you make frequent checks on him or her throughout the night. Its primary objective is to try to show your baby that you are always there for him or her. You can pat or rub your baby’s back for two to three minutes to reassure her/him that you are still there with them. Increase the time intervals for checking your baby as it starts to get the hang of sleeping on its own.

Pick-Up-Put-Down Method

Just as it sounds, the pick- up- put- down methods is a gentle technique which involves picking your baby up and then soothing him/her until she/he is quiet and drowsy. Repeat the up and down until the baby is calm and make sure she/he is not falling asleep in your arms. It is unfortunate that this technique does not work for every child; other babies will sometime feel frustrated in the end rather than being relaxed. They will be overstimulated and remain awake throughout the night. The pick-up-put-down technique is good for babies who are above six to eight weeks old. As your baby gets older, they get more bigger, and it becomes a harder to pick them up.

The Chair Training Approach

In this approach, you will use a chair when done with the bedtime routine. The idea behind this approach is to put a chair next to the crib and support the baby to drift into the dream world. The chair reassures your child that you are in the room with them. You move the chair position every few nights. Move the chair away until it is no longer in the baby’s room. This method is a very gentle approach, created by Kim West, The Sleep Lady. I highly recommend this method and I know for a fact that a lot of families achieve their goals using it.

Cry It Out Method

Create a consistent bedtime routine for your baby and then put him/her down in his bed. The goal of this technique is to teach the baby to fall asleep on their own without any intervention from you. The idea is that the infant will eventually get tired and fall asleep on his/her own. This technique works for some people, but you have to be ok with hearing some tears from your child.

One more tip

Write a log! That way, you can compare and see your progress when you are in the middle of the sleep training! Some parents get disappointed when they are not getting the results they want in 2-3 days. By looking at the sleep log, you may actually see that in fact, your baby has slept longer than previously. A sleep log is a potent tool to track what is happening in your baby’s sleep. I always ask my families to share it with me so I can assess and support them better. If you have questions and would like to reach me, please visit my website at: https://lullabysleepconsultant.com/ and give me a call or send me an email.

As Always, Sleeping Babies=Happy Families

Much Love, Eve

The post How To Sleep Train An Infant at night appeared first on Sleep Consultant Expert For Babies and Toddlers.

As a parent, one of the greatest sacrifices you will ever have to make is your own sleep! To all of you out there; having a baby doesn’t mean you have to be resigned and to accept being tired all the time. I want to reassure you that if your goal is to eventually be able to sleep 10 hours a night, it is possible! Training your baby to sleep on their own to fall asleep and to stay asleep ALL night is possible, I guarantee it!

When women are pregnant, the advice we get the most is; Sleep now while you can! Parents that have been there will pat you in the back only to tell you that you will never enjoy sleep again until your babies are older. That is absolutely not true! Thanks to the sleep method I use, you will be able to sleep, have energy to be productive, take care of your children and do the things you love.

Your child needs to learn how to self-soothe

To be able to sleep through the night, your child needs to develop their own soothing techniques to fall asleep and to stay asleep. The most common self-shooting techniques include sucking their thumb, kicking their legs, or pulling their ears to name a few. Once they master and find the technique that works best for them, they will no longer need you! Unless they are sick, stressed etc…

It might take time for your baby to find what he/she needs to fall asleep unassisted. We have to be patient and support them with the process. Some babies will learn how to self-soothe early on and others will need a little help! Either way, all babies eventually find the technique that works for them. We have to help them, assist them and give them the tools to find their way to slowly drift into the dream world.

To be successful when sleep training your baby, you have to be prepared physically and mentally. However, by focusing on my program for a few days and months you can look forward to years of great sleeping habits for your child. The trade off is obvious!! Being consistent is also the number one thing to remember when sleep training your baby, and you can do it!

Sleep Training Techniques

Any given sleep training method usually has its pros and cons. It is essential to choose one that suits your baby and your parenting style the best. Training babies to sleep on their own using a gentle method is what I recommend if you are looking to teach your little one to fall asleep. Read my other article on my website, https://lullabysleepconsultant.com, to find out more about different sleeping methods. But for now, here are a few short descriptions of some popular sleeping methods.

Cry it out method (1)

The Cry it out method can work although many parents do not want to let their babies to cry endlessly until they call asleep. In this method, the goal is that the babies eventually soothe themselves and learn how to fall asleep without any support from you.

Ferber method (2)

In this method, it is similar to cry it out given that there is training to self-soothe your baby. The difference is that you will go in the room and check on your baby at time intervalS. Every five, ten or even fifteen minutes until she/he is asleep.

Weissbluth method (3)

Weissbluth claims that his method works faster than any others. He says that your baby learns more quickly because you won’t respond to her/his cries. While training babies to sleep on their own, the Weissbluth method claims that by watching your baby’s sleepy cues and putting her/him down as soon as she seems tired is an effective method to help your baby to fall asleep.

Pick up and put down technique

If your baby isn’t settling down on their own, return to the room and pick them up. Hold your baby and cuddle them to calm them down. This is the “pick up” part of the pick up, put down method.

Once your baby has settled down, but is still awake, lay them down again. This is the “put down” part of this sleep training method.

This process continues until your baby eventually goes to sleep, and that may take a long time, which means that this is a sleep training method that requires lots of patience. It can be a frustrating cycle for parents, and it’s very important that you are calm and quiet when you pick your baby up to comfort them.

Chair technique

In the chair method, you place your chair next to the baby’s bed and give her/ him comfort. Every few days, you move the chair away until you are out of the room. It is a gentle method created by Kim West, the Sleep Lady. This method works great for both the older toddlers and younger babies.

Tips on how to make your baby fall asleep fast

1. Create a strong bedtime routine

Create a predictable and consistent bedtime routine for your baby. Training babies to sleep on their own is possible and I recommend to start by having a strong foundation which all begins with the bedtime routine.

2. Difference between night and day

If you have a newborn, showing her/him the distinctions between night and day is key. It will set the foundation for a routine and help to establish circadian rhythm.

3. Adopt simple routines and stick to them

Wake up your baby at the same time in the morning and go to bed at the same time at night; within a 15 minute window. Same thing for naps! Try to put your baby down at the same time throughout the day.

4. Gentle Soothing before naps

Gently rocking your baby in either your arms or on a rocking chair is a good way to set the drowsy mood for your baby. To set the stage for naps, it’s important to create a calming environment. It will help your baby to transition from play time to nap time. Rocking is only one example of a calming technique you can use. Also, keep the pre-nap short! Whatever you do to soothe your baby, make sure she/he doesn’t fall asleep in your arm! She/he must learn how to fall asleep on their own.

5. Establish your goals

Every child is unique and every family is different. Before starting the sleep training process, establishing your goals and what you want for your child is extremely important. Do you want to keep breastfeeding? Are you co-sleeping and want her/him to sleep through the night? Or is your goal to wean her/him from the pacifier or the bottle? Whatever your goal is, I can help you achieve it and support you every step of the way.

It is possible!!!

Teaching your child to fall asleep on their own is TOTALLY possible! In some cases you can get the results you want in a few days but in other situations it can take a week or two. Trust your baby and yourself! It’s a team effort, and you must stick to the plan. As consistency is key, if you the parent, change things constantly, it will be hard for your baby to get used to a routine. Your baby will learn what he or she is being taught. Take a few days to teach them how to self-soothe, and they will eventually surprise you and you will see what a great sleeper they are! Your baby will sleep through the night and you will get a full night of sleep too!

As Always, Sleeping Babies = Happy Families

Eve

If you have any questions, please send me a message here: https://lullabysleepconsultant.com/contact/

The post Training Babies to Sleep On Their Own appeared first on Sleep Consultant Expert For Babies and Toddlers.

If you are reading this article, you most likely want to help your child sleep longer during naps. We all know that the longer the nap, the more free time we have for ourselves!. Read my post on HOW TO CURE SHORT NAPS for some useful tips to help your child nap for more than 30 minutes.

If you have tried everything and your little one is still waking up after 30-45 minutes, keep reading. I have some more tricks you can try.

Before trying the following tips, check with your pediatrician to see if any underlying medical conditions could be present. If you have done all the things I suggested and you have not had good results, your baby might be waking up by habit. Babies are, like us, creatures of habit! They simply might just be used to waking up after a 30 minute nap.

Here are two techniques you can try to help elongate nap time.

Tip 1- Break the sleep cycle

Without going into too much detail on the science of sleep, I want you to understand WHY your child wakes up 30-45 minutes into a nap. A full sleep cycle for babies is between 30-45 minutes (in case you’re wondering, your average sleep cycle is about double that!). If they don’t know how to put themselves back to sleep when they wake up after a cycle, they will wake up and cry for help. If your child always wakes up after 34 minutes of napping, it is very likely he is waking up by habit! His body is simply programmed to wake up after the 34th minute!!

If this is the case, I suggest waking him up before he normally would to “break” his habitual waking. You can do so by gently jiggling  the crib 5-10 minutes prior to his usual 34 minutes to slightly wake him up. This will break his sleep cycle and he should fall back asleep for a second cycle.

Small disclaimer if you decide to use this technique- Not all babies will go back to sleep after the gentle jiggling of the crib but give this a try for a few days in a row before giving up. Remember: if you are using this tool, it’s likely because your child is waking up by habit. Old habits can be replaced with new habits through consistent application only, so stick with it! If your child doesn’t respond well to it though, don’t force it.

Tip 2- Touch and comfort

If you are not comfortable trying the first method, I have a second option for you. I totally understand if you are not convinced that even slightly waking up your baby will work for you. And it’s ok! My second advice is this: Put your hand on her back when she begins to wake up. As soon as she starts to move, your hand will be able to hold her still enough and she won’t wake herself up. Most likely, she will then be able to finish her nap.

I strongly recommend picking one method to try at a time and when using either of these two methods, make sure to give it a try for few days or weeks before giving up. Remember, she has been used to waking up on the clock so shifting her schedule will take more than 2-3 days. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

It doesn’t work for every child

Keep in mind that not every baby will like being woken up. If you think that your child is one of that type, try method #2 first. But like I mentioned, be patient and give it time.

Naps are harder for babies to master and are often the last piece of the sleep puzzle to fall into place. Don’t be discouraged and keep working on it! A 30 minute nap is better than no nap at all!

As always, Sleeping Babies = Happy Families.

Much Love, Eve

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How To Sleep Train Baby At Night

Many parents have a difficult time to put their baby down at night. And I totally get it. Early evenings are often a busy time for parents and thus, creating a consistent and calming sleep routine for your little one is sometime harder than we would like it to be. Our focus is on getting dinner ready, doing homework, etc.

So, how to sleep train baby at night and to create a soothing bedtime routine?

Here are my favorite tips

• Make sure your baby is well rested before starting any sleep training. The more tired a baby is, less likely she will sleep! I know it sounds contradictory but it is 100% true. Make sure she naps a lot on day 1 of the sleep coaching. It will make bedtime easier and it will be less difficult to teach her how to sleep train baby at night. A well rested baby, will have fewer night wakings and will go down at bedtime easily!

• Create a bedtime routine that is Consistent, Predictable and Short, about 20-30 minutes long. You can start at a young age. Remember, babies and children love their routine!

• Look at his sleeping windows (when he is showing signs of sleepiness) and find a consistent time to put him down at bedtime. If for 3 days in a row he is yawning at 7 PM, that’s his ideal bedtime! You should start the bedtime routine at 6:30-6:45 PM and put him down around 7 PM. Sometimes we are busy cooking dinner, cleaning after dinner etc. and we miss our children’s sleeping windows. Make sure to be in sync with them and put them down when it is time! Not when it is convenient for you!

• Dim the light in the house an hour before bedtime, to help the body to release the melatonin (1) hormone (the sleeping hormone). Try to not expose your baby to TV (2) or screens one hour before bedtime. Avoid blue light (Ipad, TV, phone etc.) as these are also disruptive to a healthy sleep cycle.

• Make sure your baby if well fed prior to bedtime

• The room should be dark (3) and you may use a white noise machine. This often soothes baby and helps her fall asleep.

• Choose a sleep training method that fits your parenting style. AND you also don’t have to choose a method and stick to it. You can adapt depending of your child’s need. Whatever you decide, give it some time though. If it doesn’t work after one night, don’t give up! It takes 3-4 nights to create bad habits and it takes 3-4 nights to create good habits! Give it some time. Keep your head up. It may be challenging at first, but I assure you it will get better… If it really doesn’t work at first, then you can reassess your methods and modify your plan.

• Be patient, it takes time to change your baby’s sleeping habits and to learn how to sleep train baby at night!

• Don’t rush into the room as soon as he makes a sound. Give him some time to soothe himself back to sleep before entering the room to check on him. He might need a few minutes to turn and twist and to finally, to your complete astonishment, go back to sleep! If intervene too quickly, we are not letting him learning how to self-soothe.

• CONSISTENCY is key. That’s what I always say to the families I work with. If they are doing what I say and follow the plan 100%, they will see progress in their child’s sleeping habits. But if they are giving up one night and go back to their old habits, I cannot guarantee success!!! They have to be consistent for the sake of their child!

• Hiring a sleep coach is a great option and trust my experience, it will pay off! We offer both an emotional and practical support. We help you find the appropriate sleep plan to achieve your sleeping goals. Most parents know how to sleep and to stay asleep obviously! But when it comes to helping their babies to sleep at night, some parents don’t know what to do. Some end up reading about ‘how to sleep’ in the middle of the night when their children are awake and can’t fall asleep on their own! Dear parents, I know how difficult it is to assess the situation and to come up with a successful sleeping plan for your baby when you are sleep deprived yourself. I can help!!

As a sleep coach, my job is to help the parents see clearly (as they are most likely sleep deprived!), to design a personalized sleeping plan that will work for their family and to assess the effectiveness of the plan and change it if need be. I support my clients along the way and provide an outside perspective to help them see things they might not see on their own. My success rate is very high and I am confident that I will help you to figure out how to sleep train baby at night. Check out my reviews here and here.

• Last tip is to Listen to your intuition and follow your parenting styles. Intuitively you know what to do but often, we just need a little help! Let’s face it, being a parent is a marvelous blessing and it can be difficult at times. I will help you get through those difficult nights so you can get back to doing what you love. Rested

Parents, be kind to yourselves. Your body is also going through a transition! That itself can cause some stress and until you get some rest, you might have to take extra care of yourself. I would suggest to schedule a massage once a week. Meet up for lunch with some friends. Go workout, sweat in out! If you cannot find time to get out of the house, FaceTime with a friend and have a virtual tea/coffee! Whatever you do, make it a ‘happy’ and relaxing experience. It will be easier to sleep train your little one…and let’s be honest, life is so much easier when we are rested!

As always, Sleeping Babies = Happy Families

Much Love,

Eve

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What is the Cry It Out Method Middle Of The Night?

It is not unusual for babies to wake up in the middle of the night and cry their little hearts out. As a parent, it hurts! In fact, almost all parents probably have wondered at one point or another how to soothe their children back to sleep in the middle of the night.

I think we can all agree that we want our babies to be happy and to sleep deeply at night. We do our best to find a sleep training method that will fit our

parenting style. However, there have been mixed opinions about certain sleep coaching techniques. For example, with the Ferber method and the cry it out method middle of the night, some families have had great results while others dread letting their child cry for a long period of time. I believe that using a gentle method to teach babies to sleep through the night is an effective sleep training method.

The cry it out method middle of the night (CIO) has been recognized by a large majority of physicians to be an effective method in teaching babies to fall asleep. However, it does not mean that you should let your baby cry while you sleep. The CIO method works for some families but not for all! It can be challenging for parents and from my experience working with families, most people have a hard time following through with it.

Is your child too young to use the CIO method?

According to most pediatricians, the CIO method is not appropriate for babies younger than 3 months. Most babies of that age need to feed at night and crave their parents’ comfort. Who doesn’t like cuddling with their child?!! For that reason, if you are convinced and ready to try the cry it out method middle of the night, I recommend you wait that your baby has been weaned off of night feedings or need only one or two night feedings. It doesn’t make sense to let your baby cry for a long period of time if he is crying out of hunger. Make sure he gets enough calories during the day as this will help shift his feeding schedule. By eating more during the day, he will eventually no longer need to feed at night!

CIO is a hot topic

There is a lot of controversy around the cry it out method middle of the night method. Everything about parenting revolves around different opinions. While I advocate for using a gentle approach to help babies sleep through the night, I firmly believe that the method you chose to soothe your child is yours. You know what is best for your child and her development. If, for you, the CIO method is an option and something you can handle, great! But I doubt you would be reading this article (or my blog or seeking sleep coaching tips!) if that’s the case. On the other hand, if you have chosen to sleep train your little one in another manner, using a gentle sleep coach may be  a more suitable option for you.

Sleep coaching teaches your child to self-soothe and to “break” sleep associations, allowing him to develop the skills to fall asleep on his own. . By doing so he will develop the skill to fall asleep on his own. Easier said than done, I know, but I’d like to encourage you to give my gentle sleep training method a try. I coach families and their children in a caring and respectful way. Whatever your sleeping goal is for your child, I make sure both are being taking care of.

Coping with cries at night

Some people with great intentions may tell you to let your baby cry it out method middle of the night (2), but when she is crying, she is trying to communicate something to you. The tricky part is figuring out what she is trying to tell you! Before choosing the CIO method to sleep coach her, ask yourself these important questions:

1. As mentioned earlier, your baby may be hungry. If you think he is waking up at night because he is hungry, feed him. To help adjust his feeding schedule, and to hopefully deter him from waking up at night due to hunger, try giving him the majority of his calories during the day. If your baby is younger than 6 months, night time feeding may need to continue for a little bit longer (generally children 6 months and older should be ok without feeding at night).

2. Is he wet? hot? cold? uncomfortable? Check his diaper to see if he needs a change. For temperature, aim to keep his room at a consistent temperature, between 68-72 degree Fahrenheit. Also, dress your child according to the local weather (but I think that goes without saying!).

3. Is he in pain? Is the diaper too tight? Is he stuck in the rail of the crib? Check on him and address his needs.

4. If using a pacifier is part of your parenting choices, use it when he cries. Using a pacifier is also a controversial topic. It can be a great soothing tool but can also create a sleep association.

If baby is fed, clean, comfortable, without a fever, and you have addressed all his needs, try soothing him. Every baby has his favorite soothing technique, so use it! What does your baby like to be comforted with? Does he like to be swaddled, walked, rocked? You can also use a calming sound like a white noise machine.

That being said, try not to create new sleep associations with these soothing techniques. YES, absolutely comfort your child if the crying becomes too much for your liking. ABSOLUTELY!

Parents, How are you doing?!

So, listening to your baby crying is one of the hardest thing in the world. If YOU are about to start crying hysterically yourself, take a minute. It’s OK to put baby down in a safe space for a few minutes and allow yourself a break. Go outside and take a big breath. Remember, you are doing great and parenting is hard work. Call a close friend and ask for help if needed. Your happiness is primordial for your health and for the balance of your family.

I hope you found this blog post helpful. The CIO (1) method is an option and I suggest that families weigh the pros and cons of any method before moving forward. Know that there are gentler sleep training methods out there than the CIO method that can be just as effective in helping your child learn to sleep through the night. In the end, this is a skill she needs to learn and you can be part of her journey!

If I can be of help to you and your family, please contact me here: https://lullabysleepconsultant.com/contact/

As always, Sleeping Babies = Happy Families

Much love,

Eve

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How long should your baby nap for? The answer is more complex than you might think, and the truth is that the medical community doesn’t agree on an exact amount of sleep for kids. It varies between 1 ½ – 4 hours a day, depending on the age of the child! That’s quite a vague and wide average, isn’t it?

That being said, every baby is different. But one thing is for sure, no parent likes short naps. They can be frustrating and tiring for the parents. Working on extending these cat naps are sometimes the only thing to do, and being patient and consistent with the process is the way to go.

 So what now? Your baby has been taking 30 minute naps for the past few weeks or even months. There are various reasons as to why this is.

Here are 10 reasons as to why your baby may be taking short naps:

1) Sleep association

If your baby is older than 6 months and needs assistance falling asleep for naps (by nursing, rocking, bouncing, etc), chances are he needs that same support when he wakes up at night. He has not yet learned to fall asleep independently and he needs you to do the work for him. This is by far the NUMBER ONE reason why your baby may be taking short naps. When he wakes up after a 30 minute nap, he cannot fall back asleep without you! He needs you to nurse, bounce or rock him etc…

2) Room environment

Is the room dark enough? Is she comfortable? Any distractions or discomfort can stunt the length of a nap. Oh, and use a white noise machine!

3) Overtired or not tired enough

When babies are overtired, they have a hard time sleeping because their little bodies produce a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol acts like a mild dose of adrenaline. If your baby is overtired it will be very difficult for her to take long naps. Alternatively, taking too many naps might prevent her from successfully falling asleep and staying asleep for more than 30 minutes. Try removing one of the naps and extending the others to create more balance.

4) Age appropriate

A 12 month old baby who naps for 30 minutes potentially has a sleep problem. At this age, he should be able to take 2 naps a day, each an hour and half long. On the other hand, it is more acceptable for a newborn to take multiple short naps. Their sleep cycles have yet to be organized. Their circadian rhythm should be established by 6-8 weeks. By then, parents may start to see a more consolidate sleep, but asking to him to take consistent long naps is too soon. My advice to parents is to simply have age appropriate expectations for naps!

5) Hunger

If your baby needs to eat when you put him down for a nap, he may wake up shortly after falling asleep as he is hungry. This is common especially if the Eat, Play, Sleep method is used. If you are convinced that your baby is hungry close to nap time, feed her 15 minutes prior to bed! That way, they won’t associate feeds with sleep.

Focus on creating a consistent nap schedule and your little one will thank you by taking a long and restful nap!

 

6) Power naps

If your child sleeps for 5 minutes in the car or while nursing, it might be enough to replenish her sleep tank and prevent her from falling asleep for a real nap. If you try to put her down for a nap, she will probably not be able to sleep as she is already somewhat refreshed

7) Nap routine

Your baby needs to transition from their busy day. Shutting down the world for a nap is extremely important, especially for alert babies. Create a 5 minute nap routine that will be performed before every single nap.

8) More soothing

If your baby is younger than 4 months, add extra soothing techniques to your routine: swaddle her, swing her, use a white noise machine and/or use a pacifier. After 4-6 months, we will work on phasing out these techniques and will teach them to self-soothe without props.  But for now, soothe your baby to teach her great napping skills.

9) Inconsistency

Newborns are extremely flexible and can nap almost anywhere and under any circumstance. As they get older, they begin to need to nap in the same environment and at the same time. Of course, this is sometimes not possible and a car or stroller nap is inevitable. However, try not to make it a habit! Focus on creating a consistent nap schedule and your little one will thank you by taking a long and restful nap!

10) It’s habitual

If you have tried all my tips above and your baby is not napping for longer than 30 minutes, you might have to accept that this is the way it is! She got used to taking short naps and there is nothing wrong with that. It is more inconvenient for you than for her. If she wakes up refreshed and happy, great!!! But if upon waking she is grumpy and fussy, call me! I can help you find out the reason why she is loving and enjoying her cat naps. You can also read my blog Tips to break the short nap habits for further insight.

I hope you find these tips helpful! Let me know if any of these worked for you and your family!

As always, Sleeping Babies = Happy Families,

Much love, Eve

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