What is sleep training?
Sleep training is the process of teaching your child to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. It is often recommended for children who are struggling with sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or frequent night waking. Sleep training can be helpful for children who are experiencing sleep regressions, such as the 18-month sleep regression or the 4-month sleep regression.
There are a few different methods of sleep training, but the most common is cry it out, or CIO. With CIO, you put your child to bed at their regular bedtime, and then let them cry for a set period of time, usually 5-10 minutes. After that, you go in and soothe them, but you don’t pick them up or give them any attention. Then, you leave the room again, and let them cry for another set period of time. You repeat this process until your child falls asleep.
There are a few things to keep in mind when sleep training. First, it’s important to have a consistent bedtime routine. This means that you put your child to bed at the same time every night, and do the same things every night leading up to bedtime. This will help your child know that it’s time to wind down and go to sleep.
Second, it’s important to be patient and consistent with your sleep training. It can take a few nights for your child to get used to the new routine, and there will likely be some crying involved. But if you stick with it, your child will learn to fall asleep on their own.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling with sleep training. There are many resources available to help you, including books, websites, and sleep consultants.
Why sleep train at 18 months?
In order to get your toddler to sleep through the night, you may need to sleep train. Sleep training at 18 months old can be difficult, but it is possible. Here are a few reasons why you may want to sleep train your toddler at this age:
1. Toddlers need around 11 hours of sleep every night, so if your toddler is only sleeping for 8 hours, they may be cranky and have a hard time functioning during the day.
2. By 18 months old, most babies have outgrown the need for night feedings, so sleep training can help your toddler learn to sleep through the night without waking up for a bottle.
3. Separation anxiety is common in toddlers, and it can make it hard for them to fall asleep if they know you’re not in the room. Sleep training can help your toddler learn to fall asleep on their own.
4. If your toddler has a hard time settling down at bedtime, sleep training can help them learn to relax and fall asleep more easily.
5. Sleep training can help your toddler develop healthy sleep habits that will last a lifetime.
How to sleep train
The first step is to get on a schedule. A regular bedtime routine will let your toddler know when it is time to sleep. This should include a bath, story time, and a song.
The second step is to make sure the environment is conducive to sleep. The room should be dark and quiet. A white noise machine can also help.
The third step is to establish some ground rules. This means no more nursing, rocking, or holding. You will need to be firm, but gentle. Explain that it is time for sleep and that you will be back in the morning.
The fourth step is to be patient. There will be nights when your toddler cries and cries, but you need to stick to the plan. Remember, this is for their own good. They need to learn how to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own.
The fifth and final step is to celebrate your successes. Each night that your toddler falls asleep on their own is a victory. Congratulate them (and yourself!) on a job well done.
Sleep training tips
1. Before you start sleep training your toddler, it’s important to understand a few things about sleep and toddlers. Toddlers need about 11-12 hours of sleep per day, including naps. Babies, on the other hand, need about 16 hours of sleep per day.
2. Sleep training your toddler can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. First, start by creating a bedtime routine. This can include a bath, reading a story, or singing a lullaby.
3. Once you have a bedtime routine established, stick to it as closely as possible. This will help your toddler know when it’s time to go to sleep.
4. When it’s time for your toddler to sleep, put them in their bed and say goodnight. Then, leave the room. This may be hard at first, but it’s important to let your toddler know that they can fall asleep on their own.
5. If your toddler wakes up in the night, don’t go into their room. Instead, let them cry for a few minutes. If they continue to cry, then go into their room and reassure them. But, don’t stay in their room for more than a few minutes.