A recent article on the website details why sleep training doesn’t have to be as tricky as it seems. It breaks down the process of what is happening in your child’s brain with success and failure.
What is a Sleep Regression?
Like most parents, you probably think sleep training is all about getting your baby to sleep through the night. But sleep training isn’t just about getting your baby to bed at a particular time; it’s also about helping them develop good sleep habits.
One of the most common problems babies experience during the early stages of development is called “sleep regression.”
Sleep regressions are when a baby stops sleeping through the night and starts waking up frequently. This can be frustrating for parents since they’re trying to get their baby to sleep through the night and only wake up a few times a night!
But don’t worry – there’s no need to panic. A sleep regression is simply a sign that your baby is still developing and learning how to sleep. And as long as you continue working with them on developing good sleep habits, eventually, your baby will learn to sleep through the night.
Causes of Sleep Regression
Like most parents, you probably believe that sleep training is all about getting your baby to sleep through the night. But according to many experts, sleep training isn’t all that it’s cracked up.
Some experts say that sleep regression is one of the leading causes of sleep failure in babies. Here’s a look at what’s behind sleep regression and why it can be so damaging:
- Sleep deprivation: The number one cause of sleep regression is lack of sleep. Babies who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to experience problems regulating their sleep habits, including sleeping through the night.
- Over-stimulation: A baby over-stimulated by noise, lights, people, and other activities is also more likely to have problems sleeping through the night. This is because over-stimulation disrupts the baby’s natural rhythm and REM ( Rapid Eye Movement ) stage of sleep.
- Poor breastfeeding: Lack of breastfeeding can lead to sleeplessness in babies because breast milk contains chemicals that help regulate a baby’s sleep patterns.
- Separation anxiety: Many babies experience significant separation anxiety when they are moved from their crib or bassinet
Signs that Your Baby Needs More Sleep
It can be hard to determine when your baby needs more sleep. But some tell-tale signs suggest your baby may need more shut-eye. Here are seven of the most common:
How to Help Your Baby Sleep
Like most parents, you probably think that sleep training is all about getting your baby to sleep through the night. But that’s not necessarily the case.
Sleep training isn’t really about getting your baby to sleep at all — it’s about helping him or she learn how to fall asleep on their own.
There are a lot of different techniques you can use to help your baby learn to sleep on their own, but the key is to be patient and consistent. Here are some tips to get started:
- Make sure your baby is comfortable and safe. Please put them in a comfortable bed and keep the room dark and cool. If your baby is older, try setting up a makeshift bed in a sunny spot.
- Talk to your baby matter-of-factly. Even if they don’t want to listen, try explaining how falling asleep works and why it’s essential. Let them know that you’re there to help them but that they need to do their part too. Avoid using punishment as a method of sleep training. This will only make your child feel scared and ashamed
What About Crying?
Most parents expect sleep training to involve stopping their babies from crying to get them to sleep. But surprisingly, that’s not always the case. Some babies will continue to cry even after sleep training is complete. What’s going on?
There are a few reasons why a baby might continue to cry after sleep training is complete. First, sometimes babies
don’t want to go to sleep and will resist any attempts made by their parents to get them to calm down. This can be frustrating for parents, but it’s usually short-lived, and eventually, the baby will fall asleep.
Another reason a baby might still be crying after sleep training is that they’re not getting enough rest. During the day, babies tend to run around and play a lot.
This energy can affect their slumber at night, making it difficult for them to wind down and drift off into dreamland.
It can take some time for a baby’s body to adjust to a regular sleeping schedule, so parents must keep an eye on how much rest their child gets each night.
Conclusion
Many parents feel that sleep training is about getting their baby to sleep through the night. Sleep training is much more than just getting your child to fall asleep; it’s about teaching them how to self-soothe and develop healthy sleeping habits.
