Category Archives: Baby Sleep

Baby Sleep 0-18months

Baby Sleep, Crying, Sleep Training Methods, Toddler Sleep

Sleep Training Series – The Extinction Method Explained

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With this series of blog posts, I will be giving a brief background on a specific method of sleep training and share some pros and cons of each. My aim is to educate and inform, not to throw criticism towards any parent who may choose a specific method. I just want to be clear that there are many forms of sleep training methods, many that I won’t be covering, so you need to choose the best strategy for your specific child.

This method isn't for the faint hearted.
This method isn’t for the faint hearted.

What is the Extinction Method?

The Extinction Method, often regarded by sleep professionals as the “cry-it-out” method, because in a nutshell, a baby is left to cry themselves to sleep with no interaction or reassurance by the parent.

American paediatrician, Dr Marc Weissbluth, author of “Healthy Sleep Habits” is the biggest advocate for this type of sleep training. Interestingly this method is popular with paediatricians and doctors because it is often the only method familiar to them.

What does the Extinction Method aim to achieve?

The goal is for your baby to fall asleep independently, without any help from an adult, at anytime. It eliminates any negative sleep associations like rocking, feeding to sleep, dummy/pacifier, cuddling to sleep etc very quickly.

So how does the Extinction Method work?

First of all, preparation is key. Make sure your baby…

  1. Isn’t overtired.
  2. Is well.
  3. Has a cool, dark, quiet place to sleep.
  4. Has a bedtime routine.

After the bedtime routine, you place your baby into the cot – AWAKE. The next step is to leave the room and never some back until morning time.

This method suggests that if you do come back into the room at anytime, your baby will become more distressed or stimulated and learn that if they cry, you will come and rescue them. These visits will encourage excessive, prolonged crying.

Cons of the Extinction Method

  • This sleep training method is the most extreme and controversial. It isn’t for the faint-hearted.
  • This method can be very distressing for the baby and the parents because there is no form of comfort or reassurance permitted.
  • This method doesn’t allow for mishaps like a dirty nappy, vomiting or being stuck in the cot rails. It is not recommended for a baby who needs to continue to feed during the night.
  • This method is not suitable for children in a bed because it is very likely your child will follow you out of the room.

Pros of the Extinction Method

  • Some babies and children want “all or nothing” meaning if you are not going to feed, rock, let me have a dummy etc then I want to be left alone thank you very much!! Any sort of gentle or medium sort of comfort can be more unsettling for some children so this method is often the last resort.
  • It can be very quick. Some parents claim that their baby is sleeping through the night after 2-3nights of implementation.

Final thoughts from me…

Before deciding to use this method, I recommend starting with a more gentle approach then moving towards the Extinction Method if that strategy isn’t working.

I do not recommend using this method for babies who need to continue to have feeds during the night as this can lead to feeding issues and weight complications. If unsure, speak to your doctor or health nurse professional first.

When choosing a method of sleep training it is important to remember that the approach is only one piece of the puzzle. Finding the cause of the difficult sleep comes first. Next you need to establish positive sleep cues for your baby. Lastly comes the sleep training method. With any sleep training method, it is really important to listen to your baby. When families work with me, quite often the method changes and evolves depending on how the baby is coping and the signs he is giving me.

Other forms of sleep training methods that will be covered in this 4part series are: The Extinction Method, The Ferber Method, The Camp Out Method and The No Cry Method.

Janelle Jeffery Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime
Janelle Jeffery
Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Sleep, Child Sleep, Crying, Sleep Training Methods, Toddler Sleep

Sleep Training Series – The Ferber Method Explained

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With this series of blog posts, I will be giving a brief background on a specific method of sleep training and share some pros and cons of each. My aim is to educate and inform, not to throw criticism towards any parent who may choose a specific method. I just want to be clear that there are many forms of sleep training methods (some I don’t be covering) and you need to choose the best strategy for your specific child.

 

The Ferber Method can be adaptable to your family situation.
The Ferber Method can be adapted to your family situation.

What is the Ferber Method?

Dr Richard Ferber, director or The Centre for Pediatric Sleep Disorders in Boston wrote a book called “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems” in 1985 but the book was updated and revised in 2006. What is interesting is that there have been quite a few modifications and versions to this type of method.

Some people class Richard’s “Ferberization” as a “cry-it-out” sleep training method. The Ferber method, or variations of this method, can also be called “Controlled Crying,” “Timed checks,” “Progressive Waiting”, or “Leave and Check.”

What does the Ferber Method aim to achieve?

The goal is for your baby to fall asleep independently, with little or intermediate parent intervention that is faded out over a period of time. It eliminates any negative sleep associations like rocking, feeding to sleep, dummy/pacifier, cuddling to sleep etc.

So how does the Ferber Method work?

First of all, preparation is key. Make sure your baby…

  1. Isn’t overtired.
  2. Is well.
  3. Has a cool, dark, quiet place to sleep.
  4. Has a bedtime routine.
  5. Has a sleep phrase introduced.

Like I mentioned earlier, there are many adaptations to this method, making it somewhat more flexible. In a nutshell, you place your baby into the cot, awake as possible, and leave the room. You set a time to check back on your baby. You re-enter the room, say a sleep phrase, you may or may not offer some touch or a cuddle, you leave the room again for a set time. The timed intervals gradually increase either between each actual check or each new night.

The Ferber Method advocates no physical touch and checks at very specific set timed intervals. Other adaptations are slightly different in the actual timing of the checks and whether touch is to be offered or not. Ideally if physical touch is offered, it is eventually faded out. Another thing to note is that you can continue to room share with your baby (not co-sleep) if you wish.

This method can take between 1-3weeks for your baby to be able to sleep independently depending on the variation you decide upon.

Cons of The Ferber Method

  • There can be a lot of crying if your baby becomes distressed with the constant coming and going.
  • The re-entering of the room may wake your baby as they initially drift off.
  • It takes longer to see progress than the Extinction Method.
  • The timed intervals can become confusing for parents especially in the middle of the night.
  • This method isn’t helpful for children already in a bed as you will find your child will follow you out of the room.

Pros of The Ferber Method

  • You can continue to room share.
  • You can continue to night-feed.
  • You are able to offer physical and verbal comfort.
  • It is a slower process but it is more of a gentle, intermediate approach to change.
  • The crying will eventually reduce.
  • This method works well if you have more than one child at home.
  • You may see progress quicker than other methods of sleep training.

Final thoughts from me…

If you offer gentle touch or visit often AND can clearly see that your presence is making it harder on your baby, then you may need to increase the time between checks or choose a different method.

When choosing a method of sleep training it is important to remember that the approach is only one piece of the puzzle. Finding the cause of the difficult sleep comes first. Next you need to establish positive sleep cues for your baby. Lastly comes the sleep training method. With any sleep training method, it is really important to listen to your baby. When families work with me, quite often the method changes and evolves depending on how the baby is coping and the signs he is giving me.

Other forms of sleep training methods that will be covered in this 4part series are: The Extinction Method, The Ferber Method, The Camp Out Method and the No Cry Method.

 

Janelle Jeffery Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime
Janelle Jeffery
Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime

 

Baby Sleep, Crying, Parenting, Sleep Training Methods

Sleep Training Series – The No Cry Method Explained

Leave a comment

With this series of blog posts, I will be giving a brief background on a specific method of sleep training and share some pros and cons of each. My aim is to educate and inform, not to throw criticism towards any parent who may choose a specific method. I just want to be clear that there are many forms of sleep training methods (many I won’t be covering) so you need to choose the best strategy for your specific child.

 

This method is very much about the attachment parenting philosophy and co-sleeping.
This method is very much about the attachment parenting philosophy and co-sleeping.

 

What is the No Cry Method?

The No Cry Method is an attachment parent philosophy of changing sleep habits whilst ensuring your baby does not cry at all. American Paediatrician, William Sears, author of many attachment parenting books including The Baby Book; Elizabeth Pantley The No Cry Sleep Solution and Pinky McKay Sleeping Like a Baby are all attachment parenting advocates who do write about baby sleep.

Interestingly the No Cry Method isn’t a specific approach like The Extinction Method, Ferber Method or Camp Out Method because attachment parenting often shies away from any sort of sleep training at all.

I have not personally used this method so I will give a brief overview and if you would like to know more, I recommend purchasing the books from the experts above.

What does the No Cry Method aim to achieve?

The goal is for the baby to have lots of assistance to fall asleep through feeding, rocking, cuddling and most importantly the emphasis is to continue to co-sleep. The aim is to reduce the help offered by the parent but to not fade it out completely. Many parents who choose this method wish to continue to co-sleep but want their baby sleep for longer stretches at night.

So how does the No Cry Method work?

  1. Your baby’s wants are put first at all times. If the baby wants to be fed, rocked, cuddled to sleep, then it is offered.
  2. By sleeping with and attending to your baby’s cry, the sacred bond is secure.

If your baby comfort sucks during the night, and you want to reduce this, you slowly try and unlatch your baby. If your baby reattaches, you try to gently unlatch them again. Repeat. You can also try to fade out rocking and patting in the same way. Over time you very slowly reduce the amount you offer this. If your baby begins to cry, you keep rocking, patting, then try again to stop the help. Repeat.

This method can make many months to see any change to your baby’s sleep.

Cons of the No Cry Method

  • It is a very, very, very slow approach to change. You may become frustrated and “give up” as progress takes many, many months.
  • Your baby may not respond to this very gentle method and some babies do not make any progress at all.
  • Your relationship with your partner may become strained if one parent does not want co-sleeping to occur.
  • You cannot 100% confirm that there will be no crying at all.
  • This method can be very fluid so you may become frustrated at the lack of step-by-step guidelines.

Pros of the No Cry Method

  • You can continue to bed share.
  • You can continue to night-feed.
  • You are able to offer physical and verbal comfort so it’s a very hands-on approach.
  • It is a very gentle approach to change.
  • It is inline with the attachment parent philosophy.

Final thoughts from me…

When choosing a method of sleep training it is important to remember that the approach is only one piece of the puzzle. Finding the cause of the difficult sleep comes first. Next you need to establish positive sleep cues for your baby. Lastly comes the sleep training method. With any sleep training method, it is really important to listen to your baby. When families work with me, quite often the method changes and evolves depending on how the baby is coping and the signs he is giving me.

The forms of sleep training methods that will be covered in this 4 part series are: The Extinction Method, The Ferber Method, The Camp Out Method and the No Cry Method.

Janelle Jeffery Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime
Janelle Jeffery
Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime

 

 

Baby Sleep

Can you sleep train a newborn?

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Newborn sleep - what can you do to help right now?

Portrait of a sleeping nine day old newborn baby girl. She is sleeping in a small wooden crate, curled up and swaddled with turquoise blue knit material.

Parents often want to know when they can begin establishing healthy sleep habits. It really does pose the question – can you sleep train a newborn? So, you understand the importance of sleep but there is this “fear” that you will create really bad sleep habits for your baby. What should you do?

Firstly I want to clearly state my position regarding sleep training a newborn… I believe you cannot “sleep train” a newborn baby. After 12weeks, there are different techniques and methods more suited for younger babies you can begin to try if you are finding sleep difficult. Science dictates that the sleep cycle of a newborn differs greatly from the sleep cycle of a baby over 6months of age.

So what does this mean? You cannot do anything until 6months? No, in fact you can do lots of things in the interim to help your baby BEGIN to establish healthy sleep habits. Here are some things you can do from the moment you arrive home from the hospital.

1) Establish a bedtime routine.

Yep, starting a defined bedtime routine gives you and your baby a clear line between nighttime and daytime sleep. Incorporating a bath, a massage, a book or song before bed will become an important ‘sleep cue.’

2) Establish “good feeding.”

Make sure your baby is feeding properly. Is your baby latching correctly? Many babies are born with upper/lower lip-ties that make feeding difficult. A hungry baby will not sleep! If your baby has reflux, you may need to offer smaller feeds more often to prevent over-feeding causing discomfort. See a lactation consultant if you are finding feeding difficult.

3) Positive Sleep Environment.

When at home, try your best to allow your baby to sleep in a quiet room, in a bassinet or cot. This will encourage a better daytime sleep and it will help with nighttime sleeping too. If your baby is always in the sling napping during the day, it will be harder for them to sleep without it at night.

4) Understand your baby’s tired signs.

Newborns can roughly stay awake for about 45mins at a time. This means that by the time your baby has woken; you need to change the nappy, feed, burp and bond all in 45mins. It isn’t long before your baby is ready to sleep again. Really watch the clock AND your baby’s tired signs. An overtired baby will need a lot of ‘help’ to fall asleep or your baby may catnap instead.

5) Helping your baby to fall asleep.

Some babies need a lot of help to fall asleep, some babies need no help at all. Rocking, patting, cuddling to sleep are all great tools for newborns. There are no set rules around newborn sleep but keep in the forefront of your mind that as each week clocks on, you want to help your baby less and less to fall asleep initially and less help to resettle.

Having a newborn baby in the house can be stressful and demanding – but it is also such a special time that goes by far too quickly. This time is about bonding, feeding and sleeping for everyone involved!

To read more about newborn sleep, click here

Sleep Well,

Janelle Jeffery Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime
Janelle Jeffery
Child Sleep Consultant for Sleepytime