Does Gentle Sleep Training Work?

A trend gaining speed on social media as of late is gentler ways of sleep training to help your baby sleep well. “Gentle sleep training” might've showed up on your thread too, a method that implies your baby will learn to sleep well without tears or stress. It has it's appeal, right? But the truth is, change just doesn't happen this way. No one wants to say it out right, but we as adults know that change doesn't usually work this way so why would babies react differently.

Trending Sleep Training Conversations

• “No-cry baby sleep training” Sweet idea, but how does that work in reality? Babies communicate using their cries, it's their way to tell us "This is new, I don't like it," even when it's something they need. In short, no-cry sleep training methods usually don't work or if they do, it takes months to gain a little. It require so much parental involvment that baby usually never truly learn independent sleep.

• “Connection-based sleep coaching” A viral phrase that implies if you are genuinely bonded with your child, they won't cry. This concept dishonors parents who prefer ore desire more systematic approaches, indirectly saying sleep independence opposes love. It does not. You can be an incredibly loving, dedicated and connected with your child all the while prioritizing sleep.

• “Biologically normal infant sleep” There's some truth to this one, as it alludes to babies often waking at night. But that simpliy doesn't mean baby should/needs to wake multiple times at night. Physiologically, yes babies can wake up several times at night, but the other truth is babies can also sleep 10-12 hours overnight independently. Bioloically normal infant sleep suggests that a 12 month old waking five times overnight is actually normal. This distorts the reality that a baby 12 months of age cannot sleep through th enight, keeping families trapped in exhaustion.

How to Sleep Train Your Baby

The thing I can confidently say is sleep is a skill and hundreds of families I've worked with can attest to that. Seep being a skill that should be learnt. And that process of learning a skill can be uncomforable. Your baby may communicate with you, "I don't like this," when they cry. So yes, there will be some tears.

But what if you worked with a sleep expert? Here's where your baby will be learn to sleep independently in a secure and supported environment using a methodological plan that adapts to your baby. Parents can follow a sleep training method that fits in with your family's comfort level, including methods that allow you to stay in the room with your baby and/or room share with your baby during sleep training. You are present, you are consistent, you are supported by an sleep expert. You're not caving or giving up.

These methods do not entail ignoring your baby or leaving your baby alone crying. When you sleep train with a sleep expert, you are giving your child a lifelong skill in a way that is effective, reassuring and adaptive.

That said, next time you hear of a tear-free, hassle-free, DIY sleep transformation for your baby, think twice if this would be realistic or more of a marketing tool. Because when it comes down to it, the goal during sleep training isn't to avoid every cry. The goal is to raise a confident sleeper—and a confident parent.

Ready for the whole familiy to get sleep? Let’s talk about how I can help. Set up a free sleep assessment call with me to discuss my custom sleep training philosophy – my mission is to ensure every parent feels confident and empowered.