When I became a new mom last year, there were so many aspects that I just loved about having this new little man in my life. On the flip side, there was one thing that did catch me by surprise… the lack of sleep!
Now I didn’t sleep much during my pregnancy, and overall throughout my life I’ve had sleep issues. However, I was shocked how much the lack of sleep once the little man arrived was taking an toll on me. Recently I was talking to another new mom who has a 3 month old and was wondering about sleep training before she heads back to work. I started racking my brain for tips and anything I could share with her.
Usually around 4 months or after, you might want to consider sleep training and considering a sleep schedule. You can now teach your previous one soothe themselves into slumber. Know what this means for you? Since your baby sleep for longer stretches of time… more sleep for you!
Mommy Relief (http://www.mommyrelief.com) has put together this awesome infographic with five strategies to assist you as you start the journey of sleep training your baby. While this is a big step, don’t be scared! Just focus of the end result of peaceful rest for both you and your baby:
Sleep Training Graphic from Mommy Relief
I found many of these strategies super helpful to new moms. I even practiced some of these myself while I went through sleep training. For instance, the one for giving a little attention at a time actually works wonders. We were at the point where I all had to do was simply rub my son’s back for a second and then he was back into slumber.
Additionally, the one about assessing their cry is a good point. Many times the cry has nothing to do with hunger or pain. As new moms, certainly once we hear a peep we want to rush to our baby and soothe. Waiting a few minutes to see if your baby can self-soothe does wonders for the training. Remember, the goal is for your baby to self-soothe and not relay on momma every hour to help them sleep.
Good luck in your journey!
What other tips would you offer a new mom who has begun the journey of sleep training their baby?
I was financially compensated for this posting, however all opinions are 100% mine and I have not been influenced otherwise.
Great Advice!!! My sister and her husband are at odds with one another right now over sleep training. I am going to e-mail her this post for a bit of support (and leverage – lol) Daddy is training her to wake up and cry because he cant take it :) Thank you for sharing!!!
Awesome strategies! Unfortunately you perpetually lose sleep again when they become teens with a car!
Really great suggestions! And, I love the idea of “if it doesn’t work, get some help, and try again tomorrow”! :)
That is pretty cool – I love how visual it is
soo glad I am done with this. It seems so mean when you do it, but you need to keep consistent and ignore sometimes!! Good luck to those still working on this.
These are REALLY great tips. I found that it’s so much easier to sleep train a baby when it’s not your first – my 2nd daughter sleeps so much better because I learned what worked and didn’t work the first time around!
Here is my take as 14 year mother of four. I tried sleep training with the first child for a bit, but I quickly figured out I am anti-CIO. I am definitely a co-sleeping, attachment parenting person! My son is 3.5 and I don’t let him cry for even a minute after I hear him in the night. He cuddles with my husband and I until he drifts off to sleep, then I move him to his own bed. When he cries, he comes back in with us. I believe you can’t cuddle a child too much. I don’t look down on people who sleep train, because I believe if babies are happy, fed, well-cared for, then whatever works for you is awesome. However, I couldn’t do it to any of mine, and they all eventually decided to sleep on their own, all before they went to K4!