Contents:
- Medical Video: Should I let my baby cry and for how long when putting him/her to bed? -Dr.Paul-
- Let the baby cry to fall asleep
- What is the principle of the method of letting a baby cry?
- When can your baby be taught to practice sleep?
- How is this sleep exercise done?
- How long do I have to leave my own child?
- Are there other tips for making sleep training successful?
Medical Video: Should I let my baby cry and for how long when putting him/her to bed? -Dr.Paul-
It's a common thing, babies cry at night. Since your baby is born, your sleep hours become less. Maybe, you and your partner have also talked about how to manage the hours of sleep at night before the baby is present. However, did you know that babies can be taught to make themselves comfortable so that they can fall asleep themselves? How can it be?
Let the baby cry to fall asleep
Have you ever heard of this method? This sleep training is an approach to help your baby learn to sleep. Questions may arise in your mind, "Is it possible for the baby to learn to fall asleep by itself when he is crying in the middle of the night?"
There are two methods you can take from sleep training for babies. First, the method of controlling crying, the second is the method ‘no-tears'(Without tears). Researchers show the baby is able to fall back asleep after waking since he was three months old, but not all babies will actually fall back asleep. Now what we will discuss first is the method of controlling crying.
What is the principle of the method of letting a baby cry?
This method is indeed done by letting the baby cry, but not letting it last for a long time until he is quiet and sleeping. There is a certain time limit that you must observe until he returns to sleep again. Usually the time lag you have to give is not long, so if you have passed a certain time limit but the cries will not stop, you should still come to make it comfortable.
Most pediatricians agree that this method works well in some families. You also don't need to worry because crying is normal. Just like adults, babies crying and waking up at night are natural sleep cycles. When he cries, he looks for you, instead of trying to go back to sleep. The purpose of letting her cry is for her to learn on her own how to calm herself, so that she is accustomed to using this ability when she wakes up at night or at night.
Letting her cry for a short period of time will benefit you and your baby later on. Of course as a new mother, you can have enough rest, so you are not easily stressed when facing days. According to Robert Bucknam (a pediatrician) and Gary Ezzo (co-author), in his book On Becoming Baby Wiseparents can make a schedule of when babies should be breastfed, when babies need to wake up, and sleep. Avoid breastfeeding outside the schedule. The schedule must also involve taking a nap.
This is the picture of the method: when he wakes up, keep it on his bed, so he can learn to calm himself. You need to know that crying will still be there, especially when you first study. Maybe you also won't have the heart to let it take a few minutes. However, when you want your baby to follow your schedule, this method can continue.
When can your baby be taught to practice sleep?
Many parents find concern about applying this method because it might feel too scary to let the baby cry. You and your partner can ask yourself, do you get enough quality sleep so that during the day you can play with your little one or stay productive watching your already big child? If the answer is no, you need to apply this technique. Preparation that needs to be done is to pay attention to the condition of the baby, do not start training when your baby is in a bad condition.
Some experts suggest that sleep training for babies is done at the age of six months. However, each parent is free to determine, because the ability of the baby to learn is different. There are studies that show that babies who are three months old already have the ability to go back to sleep on their own.
How is this sleep exercise done?
Wait until your baby is physically and emotionally ready to sleep through the night. If you are not sure yourself, you can consult a pediatrician. If it's ready, here's how you can apply:
- Step 1: lay your baby in the cot when he starts to get sleepy but still awake.
- Step 2: say good night to him and leave the room. If crying starts, wait a few moments, to measure how long he will still cry.
- Step 3: try returning to the room for no more than a minute or two to pat it and calm it down. Keep the room lights off and make sure your voice is calm and soft. Don't pick it up. Return to leave even though he is still awake, even when he is crying again.
- Step 4: stay outdoors for a little longer than the first time. Continue to do this for longer intervals. Return to the room for a minute to two minutes to check and leave when he is still awake.
- Step 5: continue to do the steps above until your child actually falls asleep when you are outdoors.
- Step 6: if your baby is very difficult to follow this method, wait a few weeks later and try again. Babies can usually sleep alone starting the third or fourth night of exercise.
How long do I have to leave my own child?
According to Richard Ferber, a pediatrician, quoted by the Baby Center website, the following is an interval that you can try to leave your baby:
- First night: leave about three minutes at first, five minutes for the second time, and 10 minutes for the third time
- Second night: leave for five minutes, then ten minutes, and finally 12 minutes
- Make intervals longer each night
Are there other tips for making sleep training successful?
The following are tips that you can hold when starting sleeping exercises for babies:
- Create a bedtime routine. Before you start sleeping exercises for your baby, make sure you make a routine before going to bed, for example singing a song to sleep. The bedtime routine can make it comfortable
- Right time. Find the right time where you will be ready to have poor quality sleep. Indeed, on the first day, maybe you will feel very sleep deprived. Talk about this with your partner, so that the exercise can run consistently
- Once you are sure you want to try, stick to the exercise. Maybe you will find discomfort when you hear your baby crying, making sure you don't hold it straight.
- Prepare yourself for a difficult night. The sound of a baby's crying can turn very hard. You and your partner will need support from each other, because maybe you and your partner will not have the heart.
- Prepare for repetition. Very normal for you and your baby to repeat again from the beginning. There are times when he will feel bad, grow teeth and learn new abilities, such as walking.
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