No Right Answer to Our Child’s Sleep Training
Do you remember the overwhelming feeling when you first became a parent? The slightest sound would make your heart race, and you spent nights fretting over whether your clumsy handling would distress your child. Though you know there’s no definitive answer to parenting, your heart is always anxious. This is especially true when nightly tantrums leave you questioning, ‘Am I doing something wrong?’
“It feels like I’m waging a war every night with my child. They cry themselves to sleep, and I’m exhausted… I’m not sure if this is right.”
Many parents share similar concerns. But it’s okay. Just as every child has a unique temperament and growth pace, their way of falling asleep will vary. The critical factor is not ‘when’ to start but ‘how’ to connect with your child’s heart. Today, let’s momentarily set aside our impatience and take the first step towards a sleep training routine that brings comfort to both you and your child.
Why is Sleep Training Important?
Due to the weight the word ‘training’ carries, sleep training is often misconstrued as a strict regimen for children. However, the essence of sleep training is helping your child develop the ‘ability to fall asleep independently’. This is not merely for the convenience of parents. Through quality sleep, children retain the experiences and information they’ve gathered during the day and grow with the help of growth hormones.
Most importantly, stable sleep habits offer children a sense of emotional security. The belief that ‘when it’s time to sleep, mom and dad are there to watch over me, and I can fall asleep comfortably in a safe space’ positively impacts the formation of healthy attachment. Parents also benefit, as regular sleep schedules give them precious time to unwind and recharge after a tiring day. Ultimately, successful sleep training enhances the quality of life for both children and parents, making it an essential parenting tip.
First Step to Successful Sleep Training
All preparations begin with understanding your child’s mind. Carefully observe the signals your child sends out and find a pace that suits your child.
1. Creating a Comfortable Sleep Environment
Your child’s sleeping space should be the most cozy and secure place in the world. Start by checking the sleep environment. If your child is sensitive to light and sound, consider using blackout curtains or white noise machines. Ideal sleep conditions are a room temperature between 20-22 degrees, where a shirt feels slightly cool, and humidity levels between 50-60%.
Beyond physical changes, it’s important that your child perceives their sleep environment as a ‘positive space’. Build pleasant memories by reading books or playing with toys in the child’s room during the day. When the sleeping space becomes a source of comfort rather than separation or isolation, your child can shed the anxiety of falling asleep.
2. Establishing a Consistent Sleep Ritual
Children feel secure in predictable situations. A nightly ‘sleep ritual’ conducted in a set order is the most effective way to signal to your child that “It’s almost bedtime.” It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A simple 15-30 minute routine like ‘bath time → changing into pajamas → turning off lights and turning on soft lighting → singing a lullaby → goodnight kiss’ suffices.
The key is ‘consistency.’ When the ritual repeats at the same time, in the same sequence, and in the same place, your child will naturally transition into a state ready for sleep. Remember that your calm voice and warm touch are the best sleep aids for your child. It could be the best parenting tip you’ll find.
3. Gradual Distance Practice
If separate sleeping is the goal, consider a gradual approach instead of leaving your child alone from the start. For the first few days, lie next to your child and comfort them until they fall asleep; then, sit in a chair by the bed watching. Once your child acclimates, gradually increase the distance towards the door.
The process may not always be smooth. Your child might express anxiety and cry. In such cases, briefly comfort your child with a hug before laying them back down and repeating the process with patience. The goal isn’t to leave the child alone but to instill the belief that ‘mom and dad are always nearby; you are not alone.’ By respecting your child’s pace and proceeding gradually, sleep training can become a gentle growth journey for both child and parent.
Sleep training is a gentle process that grants independence to children and peace of mind to parents. Try to take it one step at a time, matching our child’s pace with the parenting tips introduced today. Alongside MOM-i, we’ll be a warm companion so that bedtime can become a delightful time for both parents and children to laugh together. If you have any questions or need content creation, please Contact Us.