How can you tell if your baby is ready for sleep training? Every baby is different, and some will be ready to begin sleep training sooner than others. From consistent sleep patterns to noticeable alertness during the day, your baby will likely show a few common signals that it’s time to start sleep training. As you recognize these signs in your baby, remember that sleep training can take time and should be tailored to the unique needs of your child. Here are 4 signs that it’s a good time to begin sleep training your baby.
1. Predictable Sleep Patterns
As babies grow, their sleep patterns change and stabilize. Babies around 4 to 6 months old begin developing a more consistent sleep schedule. Noticing regular intervals of sleep and periods of alertness indicates that the baby’s internal clock is beginning to align with the natural cycles of day and night, making this an excellent time to introduce sleep training. Does your baby tend to wake up around the same time each morning? Or do they tend to get sleepy after the same daily feeding? Recognizing these patterns helps to establish a sleep training schedule that is more aligned with the baby’s natural sleep-wake rhythm.
2. Ability to Self-Soothe
When a baby can calm themselves down and fall back asleep without external intervention, it’s likely time to begin sleep training if they have not started yet. Self-soothing is an important milestone in sleep training because it gives babies the ability to manage their own sleep cycles without help from parents. Indicators that a baby is learning to self-soothe often includes sucking on their fingers, grabbing onto blankets or soft toys, gently rocking themselves, or making babbling sounds to settle down. For parents, recognizing these self-soothing behaviors can lead to a more successful sleep training process from start to finish.
3. Fewer Night Feedings
As babies grow, their stomachs grow too. Between 4 to 6 months, babies will be able to consume more milk or formula during the day and go for longer periods without feeding at night. If you notice that your baby wakes less frequently for feedings at night or can be easily soothed back to sleep without eating, this can be a sign that your baby is physically ready for sleep training.
4. Alert During the Day
When a baby shows consistent periods of alertness during the day, this typically suggests that they are receiving enough rest at night for their developmental stage. A baby that is engaged and responsive during waking hours, rather than showing crankiness or tiredness, is likely benefiting from adequate sleep at night. This is a great opportunity to build upon a baby’s already well-regulated sleep patterns with more healthy habits that sleep training can provide. Plus, a baby that is neither too tired nor too overstimulated during the day will typically have an easier time sleep training than one who is having trouble with sleep regulation.
Consult a Sleep Training Professional in San Francisco
If you’ve seen a few of these signs from your baby but aren’t sure where to begin with sleep training efforts, Evi Kantor can help. As a sleep training consultant with 10 years of experience in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area, Evi has helped countless families in the postpartum phase and beyond successfully care for and sleep train their babies. She will work with you and your baby to implement sleep training strategies that will help the entire home have a better night’s sleep. Reach out to schedule a consultation today!
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