What is sleep training what to do when baby wakes up in middle of night?

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Sleep Training and Night Wakings

Sleep%20training involves teaching your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep independently. There are various methods, each with different approaches to parental involvement. Common methods include:

• Cry It Out (CIO): This involves putting the baby down awake and allowing them to cry for a set period of time without intervention.

• Gradual Extinction: This method involves gradually increasing the amount of time between checks on the baby when they cry.

• Chair Method: The parent sits in a chair next to the crib, gradually moving the chair further away each night until they are out of the room.

• Pick Up/Put Down: The parent picks up the baby to soothe them, then puts them back down awake.

Night Wakings

It's normal for babies to wake up during the night, especially in the early months. However, the goal of sleep training is to help them learn to self-soothe and fall back asleep independently after these awakenings. Here's what to consider when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night during sleep training:

1. Assess the Situation: Before rushing in, give your baby a few minutes to see if they can settle themselves back to sleep. A little bit of fussing or crying is normal.

2. Check for Needs: If the crying escalates or continues for more than a few minutes, consider whether your baby might be genuinely hungry, uncomfortable (wet diaper), or in pain (teething).

3. Follow Your Chosen Method: This is crucial for consistency. If you're using CIO, you'll stick to the pre-determined intervals. If you're using a gentler method, you'll follow those guidelines for checking in and soothing.

4. Minimal Intervention: When you do intervene, keep it brief and boring. Avoid making eye contact, talking excessively, or turning on bright lights. The goal is to provide comfort without stimulating them.

5. Consistent Bedtime Routine: A consistent bedtime routine can help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep, making it easier for them to fall back asleep during night wakings.

6. Differentiate Between Cries: Learn to distinguish between a "I'm annoyed" cry and a "I'm truly distressed" cry. This will help you decide whether intervention is necessary.

7. Feeding Considerations: If your baby is still young and requires night feeds, continue to offer them as needed. However, once they are old enough and have been cleared by a pediatrician, you can gradually reduce or eliminate night feedings.

8. Consistency: Sleep training requires consistency. Sticking to your chosen method, even when it's difficult, will help your baby learn to self-soothe more quickly.

9. Patience: Sleep training takes time and patience. It's normal to have setbacks, especially during periods of developmental leaps or illness.

Remember to consult with your pediatrician before starting any sleep training method. They can help you determine if your baby is developmentally ready and can address any specific concerns you may have.