If you are searching for why is sleep training not working? Then you may concern about it. The sleep training process will have its highs and lows. The key is to learn from what isn’t working. Here are some common issues that I see parents run into during sleep training.
Some Common Issues Why Sleep Training Not Working
Stay consistent with day sleep and night sleep
Some parents will think that teaching their child to self-soothe only at night will make the process easier. The opposite is true. A child that young cannot differentiate the difference between day sleep and night sleep. If they are fed, rocked, or bounced to sleep during the day, they cannot be expected to put themselves to sleep at night without those sleep associations.
Make sure every aspect is considered
Another reason that a sleep training effort may fail is that there are some pieces of the puzzle that are missing. It is important to make sure that not only have you picked a method that works for your parenting style but also that ALL of the pieces are in place. This includes making sure the sleep environment is conducive to sleep, choosing the most appropriate sleep training method, considering day sleep and wake times, and removing all crutches/sleep associations. If one of these pieces is missing, it can cause a setback in the process.
Avoid having an overtired baby
One of the keys to the sleep training process is to not let the child get overtired. To ensure this, it is important that the wake period in-between naps are not too long. If they are, it will lead to poor naps and then leave you with an overtired baby when you begin the sleep training at night. In addition to considering the wake times during the day, you also need to make sure that the timing between the last nap of the day and bedtime is also not too long because this is the most sensitive wake time of the entire day.
Many families are reluctant to use an early bedtime. This is understandable, especially when both parents work full time and they feel like they never get to see their child if they go to sleep early. It is important to remember that this is temporary and what is best for the child. The early bedtime is biologically advantageous to their child learning how to self-soothe and get the restorative sleep that they need.
If this is the situation in your family, set aside some special one-on-one time with them on the weekends, or if possible, wake up early with them in the morning and spend time with them then.
Feeding too close to sleep time
The number one sleep crutch that is used to put a child to sleep is the breast or the bottle. This is why it is essential to separate the two. It is best to avoid feeding your child too close to nap time; instead, feed them when they wake as opposed to before they go to sleep. I also always recommend avoiding feeding in the sleep environment.
Sleep training done right can provide amazing results. Don’t get frustrated with the process; just remember to stick to the plan.
