Do You Need to Sleep Train? A No-Judgment Guide to Making the Right Choice For Your Family
Choosing to sleep train your baby is a very personal decision, and it's perfectly natural to be unsure about it. Let's take a look at the evidence around sleep training, discuss some of the most common concerns, and hear from parents who have already been through this process.
What is Sleep Training?
Sleep training simply teaches your baby to fall asleep without dependent sleep associations (like rocking, feeding, etc) which can in turn help them sleep longer stretches overnight because they won’t rely on those same associations to return to sleep during their many sleep/wake cycles throughout the night. (You can read more about that in this study). There are a whole range of methods available and they all center on how you make changes to sleep associations (fading them out/weaning out the associations slowly/quickly) and how you respond to crying (if you currently respond to wakings/crying by feeding, then you may have to do something different). The goal is to instill healthy sleep habits that benefit the entire family.
What does the research say about sleep training?
Numerous studies have examined the safety and efficacy of sleep training:
- A 2018 systematic review in Canadian Family Physician determined that sleep training assisted decreasing infant sleeping problems, with about 1 in 4 to 1 in 10 families being assisted versus no sleep training. Interestingly, no long-term negative effects were reported after five years, compared to maternal mood also showing a significant improvement.
- In 2016, a randomized controlled trial published in Pediatrics showed that infants who had been given a sleep intervention for responsive parenting slept more during the night and were more likely to self-soothe at 16 weeks and 40 weeks.
The findings here suggest that sleep training might benefit both parents and infants, encouraging improved sleep and improved parental well-being.
Common Concerns about Sleep Training
It's understandable to be concerned about the possible effect of sleep training on your child:
Emotional Well-being: Sleep training has not been shown to cause long-term emotional or behavioral problems. A study tracked children five years after the intervention and found no behavioral differences, sleep issues, or parental attachment between those who were sleep trained and those who were not.
Parental Mental Health: Improved infant sleep has been linked to maternal depression reductions and enhanced overall parental mental health.
Real Parent Experiences
Most parents have been successful with sleep training, even despite initial hesitation. Some of their experiences follow:
“I was scared to try sleep training, afraid it would hurt our relationship. But after working with Heaven Sent Sleep, my baby sleeps through the night, and we both are happier!”
"I never thought my child could sleep without being rocked. The gentle methods Heaven Sent Sleep recommended transformed our evenings. I like the direction and encouragement.”
Making the Right Decision for Your Family
Whether or not to sleep train is an individual decision with no one-size-fits-all answer. Consider your family's needs, parenting approach, and baby's personality. If you do decide to proceed, ensure you're familiar with the various methods and select one that works for you.
It is acceptable to seek assistance. Conversations with pediatricians or sleep consultants can provide individual guidance and support.
Sleep training is a tool that, if used properly, can create healthy sleep habits for your child and improved family health. Trust your instincts, research, and make the decision that you believe is best for your family. Whatever you decide, know that you're making the best choice with the information and resources available.
For more information and resources, check out these links:
