When I was a new mom I had no idea that next to my baby’s health and well being, sleep would become such an issue. I had always assumed that babies generally cried only when they were hungry or needed a diaper change. That sounded pretty easy to solve. Little did I know that an overtired baby cries a lot!
Combining the experience of being a mom to four children and more than 70 hours of formal sleep training, I have learned:
- The first few months of life babies can and should sleep whenever and wherever they want. The old adage “don’t wake a sleeping baby” is true. Yet at the same time we can be introducing sleep cues to our babies.
- From a few months on as a baby’s brain develops and matures, a baby needs to be taught how to sleep. At this age they become much more social and much more interested in the world around them, and therefore they will be more wakeful and less desirous of sleep.
- In order to encourage sleep it is important to have the correct sleep environment and to have a soothing routine indicating it’s time for bed.
- From approximately four months on, babies need to sleep when their biological rhythms dictate sleep.
- The importance of consistency.
When we can keep all these things in mind, we can prevent having an overtired and over-stimulated baby. Teaching a baby when and how to sleep is both mentally and physically restorative. It is a win-win situation for the entire family.
I believe that the modern day debate about whether the baby or the parents should set the schedule overlooks the vital truth, that babies love to sleep, once they learn how to sleep, and that sleep, truly begets sleep.
I can set babies, toddlers and families up for success. I will help you each and every step of the way by guiding and supporting you. Once we have established a plan and begin implementing a consistent routine, your baby will be sleeping, consolidating learning, and restoring body and soul. Now doesn’t that sound like a dream come true?
