Trouble with kids falling and staying asleep is a common problem that a lot of parents face. Besides sleepless nights and stress, there are a lot of problems that follow from this. Parents often try sleep training to encounter this trouble but quit after facing resistance from the kid. As a result both the parent and child suffer. Fortunately, there are certain mistakes with baby sleep training that can learn to avoid.
- Ever changing bedtime
A well-structured bedtime is an important aspect of baby sleep training. Kids with irregular bedtimes are likely to face a lot of trouble with sleep throughout their growing years. Bedtime needs to be predictable and it should not change more than 30 minutes. Pediatricians in East Cobb or elsewhere help parents understand these changes and set realistic sleep expectations.
- Sleep training at the wrong time
Infants develop self-soothing abilities around the age of 4-6 months. So starting sleep training around the six-month mark is generally a good option. Before that, you need to be ready to put in some effort. Generally, it is recommended to avoid the time around potty training or when learning to walk. These times bring about sleep disruption.
- Not Creating A Sleep Environment For The Baby
Before you start sleep training focus on creating an ideal environment. This gives your baby a signal that it is time to go to bed. Diming the light and dressing your baby appropriately for sleep are some ways to signal that it’s time to sleep. Following the same routine every day will also ensure that your child learns faster.
- Extending feeding time
Most babies do not need extra calories at night, especially after 6-9 months of age. If you feed your baby multiple times before sleep time, you are going to run into trouble. Stop night feeds gradually before you plan to start sleep training.
- Ignoring medical cause
Parents sometimes don’t realize that sleep issues are due to medical causes. There could be a variety of medical issues that are troubling your baby’s sleep. Ignoring these issues could be a big mistake as they could be severe. Consult pediatrics in East Cobb on these issues before starting sleep training.
- Not Having a Plan with Your Spouse
Starting sleep training means hours of crying and sleepless nights. Discuss this with your partner and make sure he or she is on board. Having the support of everyone living in your home will help you succeed. It is easy to give up on it without a clear plan and support from your partner.
Conclusion
All of these are common mistakes that you need to avoid for proper sleeping training. It is common for babies to resist changes and cry more than expected. This can make parents feel tempted to abandon the process. Seek the help of a pediatrician if you feel overwhelmed by the process. Pediatricians play a key role in baby sleep training. They provide expert advice and guide families through the process.
