As a Child Sleep Consultant, I know how daunting it can feel for sleep-deprived parents to put their baby in the cot and step out of the room. Until now, your baby has learned to cry for attention, and their cries have been met with feeding or help to fall asleep. They haven't learned yet that they can soothe themselves to sleep. This self-soothing is a crucial skill we need to teach them, similar to other developmental milestones. With patience and consistent practice, your baby will learn to settle themselves.
Here are some steps to help your baby learn to self-soothe
A consistent sleep routine is key to helping your baby understand when it’s time to sleep.
The right sleep environment can make a big difference in how easily your baby can fall asleep and stay asleep.
One of the most important steps in teaching self-soothing is to put your baby down when they are drowsy but still awake.
You need to decide on what approach to take to help your baby self soothe. I work with families on lots of different gentle ways to get their babies to self-soothe, one of the most popular ones is the Gradual Extinction Method .The gradual extinction method helps your baby learn to self-soothe by gradually increasing the intervals between checks.
An early bedtime can help prevent your baby from becoming overtired, which can make it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Consistency is crucial when teaching your baby to self-soothe.
Allowing your baby some time to fuss .Remember up until now your baby only knows to cry for attention. When they cry you feed them or help them sleep. They don't know that they can soothe themselves. They don’t actually know yet that they don’t need you. It's ok to to let your baby fuss a bit. This teaches them that they can handle being alone and can self-soothe.
Conclusion
As a Child Sleep Consultant, I guide parents through teaching their baby to self-soothe by establishing a consistent sleep routine, creating a conducive sleep environment, and employing methods like gradual extinction. The goal is to equip your baby with the ability to fall asleep independently, fostering healthy sleep habits for both your child and your family. With patience and consistent practice, your baby will learn this valuable skill, leading to more restful nights for everyone.
Remember, teaching your baby to self-soothe is just as important as other developmental milestones. It’s okay to provide them with space and opportunity to master this skill under your thoughtful guidance. With consistency, your baby will learn to sleep independently, enhancing overall family rest.
If you need support on this journey, book a free 15-minute sleep consulting discovery call with me. Together, we can ensure that your baby—and your entire family—gets the restful sleep you all deserve
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