5 Truths About Sleep Training
There’s a lot of misinformation out there in the online parenting world, and today, I’m here to clear a few things up for you about sleep training. Let’s keep this short and sweet, K??
Truth #1 - It’s not for everyone, but it is for some.
If what you’re doing works for you, there’s no need to make any changes. And if you never thought you’d be that mom, but now you’re thinking about it, that’s okay! When things are no longer sustainable for you then it might be time to make a change.
Truth #2 - Sleep training does not mean “CIO”, “Cry-It-Out”, or leaving your baby to cry and ignoring their needs.
Sleep training at Lake Country Sleep gives you all the pieces of the sleep puzzle. The method you choose - like CIO, timed checks, Ferber, chair method, etc. - is only one piece of that puzzle. We look at your child holistically and consider:
Where they are at developmentally
The sleep environment
Your parenting style
An age-appropriate bedtime
Sleep-supportive routines
Adjusting bedtime accordingly
Sleep Strategies + a method
So, assuming that “CIO” is sleep training is a little bit wrong, at least when it comes to what we do when we work with families one-on-one.
Truth #3 - Sleep training does not damage your child physiologically or hinder their secure attachment to you.
In fact, I actually believe the opposite to be true. Sleep training your child can actually support a secure attachment! Secure attachment is formed with consistent responses to your child, and especially in challenging situations. Cough, cough, like, learning to sleep! And this is something we help you support your child through! With a consistent response. Hmmm…sounds a bit like it would promote a secure attachment, no?
Truth #4 - There’s life before sleep training and there’s life after sleep training.
This one is from one of our previous clients. She reached out to me a few months after working together and shard, “Erin, this was so life-changing for me. I refer to my life now as ‘life before sleep training’ and ‘life after sleep training’."
Truth #5 - Unless there is an underlying medical condition or inconsistencies with following your personalized sleep plan, you WILL experience sleep success when you work with the team at Lake Country Sleep.
If you can be consistent and follow our lead, you will see sleep improvement!