SLEEP PART 2: Sleep Training After 4 Months
When can I start sleep training?
You should start sleep training when your baby is between 4 and 6 months old.
By about 4 months, babies have typically started to develop a regular sleep-wake cycle and dropped most of their night feeding habits. These are signs they may be ready to start sleep training. For many babies this is the age they are also developmentally able to sleep for long stretches at night.
Of course, every baby is different: Some may not be ready for sleep training until they’re a bit older. Some babies sleep seven hours or longer at an early age, while others won’t until much later. If you’re not sure whether your baby is ready for sleep training, ask your doctor.
How to prepare for sleep training
Set the stage for successful sleep training with these suggestions:
- Introduce a bedtime routine. You can start when your baby is as young as 6 weeks, but don’t worry if your baby is older – it’s never too late. A routine can include a warm bath, a book, and a lullaby before putting them to bed.
- Pick a consistent bedtime. A bedtime between 7 and 8 o’clock is ideal, so your baby isn’t overtired and fighting sleep
- Follow a predictable daytime schedule. Try to get your baby up around the same time every morning, feed them and put them down for naps at about the same times during the day. This predictability helps them relax and feel secure, and a relaxed baby settles down to sleep more easily.
- Make sure your baby doesn’t have a medical condition that could affect their sleep. An underlying condition, such as sleep apnea, needs to be addressed by your baby’s doctor before you consider a sleep training program.
Most effective training is achieved when you use it consistently.
Post by – Dr Charles Siles,
Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, Sonologist and Bioethicist
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