Are You Ready To Sleep Train?
You have been googling sleep trainers and sleep coaches, no-cry sleep solutions, and everything else to find out what to do. And it probably still feels confusing.
And overwhelming.
You have probably come across articles about co-sleeping, the myths and facts of sleep training, and sleep in general.
And you've decided. You want help. You have come to the decision that you are prepared to invest and make sleep training a priority.
As a sleep professional, I want to give you some questions to consider as preparation beyond making the choice to sleep train. You're emotionally ready to sleep train, but are you logistically ready?
There are so many questions to answer to understand if you and your child are ready for sleep training. Let's cover some of the basics:
Some Questions to Start:
How old is your child?
Age is a factor in the overall success of sleep training. There are legitimate concerns about sleep training before your baby is ready.
How much did your child weigh at birth, and how much do they weigh now?
Weight gain can be an indicator of their ability to forgo night feedings and sustain longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep.
Does your child have any developmental delays?
Babies who have undergone trauma, or who have developmental delays, may need extra time to be supported in the best way possible. Sleep training may not be the best plan at this time.
Is your child considered neurodivergent?
Having your pediatrician on board with any needs specific to your child's diagnosis is important for our consultants to know.
How much of your child's caloric intake happens during the daylight hours?
How many ounces of breastmilk or formula does your child eat starting at the point they are "up for the day?"
How much of your child's caloric intake happens during the night hours?
After your child is "down for the night," how many ounces of breastmilk or formula does your child consume?
What does a typical 24-hour cycle look like for your child?
You want to have a clear picture of how your child sleeps during the day, as well as where they are currently with night sleep. Sleep is related, and having a 24-picture of their sleep health will be asked of you.
How much sleep is your child presently getting?
On average, in 24 hours, how much sleep is your child getting, combining naps and overnight sleep?
Is there any predictable pattern to your child’s day & night?
Take some time to write down a typical 24-hour day for your child, including when/if you start your "nighttime routine."
Is your child currently sick?
Children who are sick should not start the process of sleep training.
Is your child currently teething?
Children who are teething should not start the process of sleep training.
Is your child undergoing a major life change?
Has your child just moved to their room? Have they started at daycare? Is there a new caregiver, or loss of a loved one? These all impact your child's world, and we want to consider these changes carefully in our plan for sleep success.
Is your child established in their own sleeping space?
Many families need help transitioning their children from a shared space to an independent sleeping space. We appreciate knowing the history of your child's sleeping areas.
And now questions for you, and for you to discuss with anyone else who will be a part of your sleeping house:
What are your expectations of sleep training?
How would you define "successful" sleep training?
Whether you can answer all these questions now or not, we want to discuss your needs and bring you some peace of mind as you wade through your options. A personalized sleep plan will ensure your entire household benefits from having a well-rested family.