Four Reasons Sleep Training May Fail
Sleep training can be a drag right!?
Yep, we've all been there – you embark on the sleep training journey with high hopes and lofty dreams of uninterrupted slumber, only to find yourself knee-deep in a sea of tears and sleepless nights.
As a pediatric sleep consultant, I know there are so many different opinions about baby/toddler sleep. Some people believe it does not work at all… and you know what, sometimes it may NOT. Surprised to hear that.. Especially coming from me?! It can be true, but the thing is when done correctly and well, it will work for your littles. You may need to find the right method for your child and make some tweaks along the way, but when that is accomplished, it works!
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE REASONS! WHY WOULD IT FAIL
Lack of consistency. Ah, yes, the golden rule of sleep training – consistency is key. But let's face it, life happens, and sticking to a rigid schedule can feel like mission impossible. The key is to do your best to stay consistent and stick to whichever plan you choose, even when you feel like throwing in the towel.
Your little one CAN learn good sleep habits and a new way to sleep but you need to be clear to them about your plan, and you can do this by responding to them the same way, each time. The more consistent you are, the quicker your little one will get the hang of it!
Timing and Schedules. It's easy to misinterpret your little one's cries and signals, especially when you're running on fumes and caffeine. This is why I think it's so important to work with schedules and wake windows. Focusing on these things, prevent your little one from being undertired or overtired. If they are undertired, there may not be enough sleep pressure to allow them to feel tired enough to easily fall asleep. If they are overtired, their cortisol levels rise and this prevents them from settling easily for sleep. It also prevents them from becoming tired and being able to self soothe.
So if your baby is undertired or overtired, it is much more difficult to get them down and teach them self soothing techniques. Makes sense right?! Getting the right wake windows and schedules is KEY.
External factors. External factors also play a significant role in sleep training success. From teething to illness to travel, there's no shortage of external factors that can throw a wrench in your sleep training plans. The key is to roll with the punches and adapt to whatever curveballs life throws your way.
Parental readiness. Let's face it – sleep training is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience, dedication, and a whole lot of coffee. If you're not fully committed to the process, it's easy to give up at the first sign of resistance. If both parents are not on board, it’s easy to give up. Or if you think it would be great, but 1 or 2 parents aren’t truly READY… guess what? It is not going to be successful! But fear not– with the right mindset and a little support, you can conquer even the toughest sleep training challenges when both parents are READY!
Conquer the challenges of Sleep Training
So, in CONCLUSION… sleep training WORKS, when you are ready to do it and both parents are committed to the process. When you follow an appropriate schedule for your child and/or wake windows. But remember, a solid sleep routine takes time, effort, patience and a healthy dose of humor and support! Preferably from a sleep expert that can guide you through the process. I have been that support and sleep guru for dozens of families just like you, and they all got their little one snoozing like a champ in no time! Did I mention.. They got their life back!? And even some date nights!
Book your complimentary 15 minute call with me and we will work through your current situation, your goals and the best way for us to get there. Your family deserves REST.
You've got this, mama!
Sweet Dreams,
Raz Franklyn ,The Rested Mama
