Self-settling, or the ability for your baby to fall asleep independently, is one of the big developmental milestones parents are keen for their little ones to reach.
For many of us, finding the balance between responding to our baby’s needs and fostering their independence can be tough. Patience and consistency become our allies on this journey, as it all comes down to allowing the right amount of space for your baby to learn the valuable skill of falling asleep on their own, all while feeling reassured that you are nearby if needed.
There are three commonly used methods to teach babies to self-settle, and I recommend using whichever method you think you can apply the most consistently, and that suits your baby’s unique temperament and preferences.
- Spaced Soothing: This method involves entering and exiting your baby’s room at intervals, responding to their cries with reassurance. The intervals gradually increase over time, allowing your baby the opportunity to self-soothe and fall asleep independently.
- Pick Up and Put Down: In this technique, you stay in the room with your baby and assist them in settling in their cot. If your baby becomes upset, you pick them up briefly for reassurance, then place them back in the cot while they are still awake. The goal is for your baby to learn to settle in their cot without needing to be held to sleep.
- Gradual Withdrawal: With this method, you start by staying close to your baby during settling, gradually reducing your presence over time. For example, you might begin by sitting next to the cot and progressively move further away each night until your baby can settle independently.
Importance of Consistency and Monitoring Progress
Consistency is absolutely key to the success of any sleep training method. By consistently applying your chosen settling method, you can help your baby learn and adapt to new sleep habits. Keeping a sleep log to track their progress is beneficial, and this can all be done through the CuboAi App.
The CuboAi Smart Baby Monitor’s Sleep Analytics feature can provide detailed data about your baby’s sleep patterns, which can assist you in tracking their progress and making informed decisions about sleep training adjustments. Note changes in settling times and the direction of sleep stretches. The CuboAi generated sleep reports can help you identify if adjustments are needed to your settling method.
Establishing Foundational Routines
In addition to practicing your settling method, it’s important that you’re also addressing the routines needed to set you up for success.
- Creating an Age-Appropriate Schedule: Good sleep habits start with your baby’s daytime routine! Create a daily routine that includes appropriate awake windows and nap times. This helps optimise your baby’s sleep pressure, making it easier for them to settle and sleep.
- Establishing a Wind-Down Routine: Developing a calming bedtime routine will set you up for success. You can incorporate features such as dimming the lights, using a sleeping bag or swaddle, reading a bedtime story, or playing white noise and lullabies with the CuboAi Baby Monitor. These types of noises, like the sound of a fan, masks distractions and promotes a more relaxing space, mimicking comforting womb sounds. Lullabies can calm bub and create a soothing pre-sleep environment.
The Reward of Improved Sleep
The goal of sleep training is to promote healthier sleep habits for both you and your baby. While the process may require patience and consistency, the reward for longer, more restful sleep for everyone involved makes the effort worthwhile in the long run.
By choosing a method that suits your family’s needs and incorporating tools like the CuboAi Smart Baby Monitor, you can help your baby develop the valuable skill of self-settling and enjoy the benefits of improved sleep, for everyone!
