What is Sleep Training?
Some babies can naturally and easily develop healthy sleep habits in early stages, while most babies need their parents' support and guidance to sleep independently and to return to sleep after waking. Sleep training is essential in this situation. It is often mistakenly thought to involve leaving the baby in their crib to cry until they fall asleep. However, sleep training is about teaching babies and young children how to fall asleep on their own without being rocked, breastfed, carried, or receiving other forms of assistance, and ensuring they stay asleep throughout the night.
Who Provides Sleep Training?
Sleep training should be conducted by those who have obtained a Sleep Consulting Certification. I received my training from the International Parenting and Health Institute (IPHI). As a pediatrician, I recognized the importance of cognitive development, nutrition, and sleep for healthy growth in children. I quickly began helping many mothers from all over Turkey who were struggling with these issues. During a 2-3 week process, I maintain continuous dialogue with the mother to better understand the child and help establish not only their sleep patterns but also address their health issues and nutrition. The best part is seeing growth spurts and weight increases in follow-up visits, along with the gratitude of mothers who haven't slept well for months.
When Should Sleep Training Be Started?
When your baby is 4 months old, it is beneficial to start preparing for sleep training.
How Should We Put Our Baby to Sleep in the First 4 Months?
Helping the newborn adjust to our world occurs through them feeling safe. The key to achieving this is to mimic the womb during the first 4 months following birth. During this period, babies seek the environment of the womb; therefore, providing conditions similar to those in the womb helps them feel secure and facilitates relaxation for sleep. White noise is one of these methods. Babies hear outside noises in this manner, which calms them. Also, babies are born with a sucking instinct, making the use of pacifiers and frequent breastfeeding important for soothing. Moreover, swaddling, which involves wrapping the baby snugly, is crucial for calming them.
What Are the Effects of Sleep on Growth, Development, Intelligence, and Immunity?
The first 2 years are critical for growth, development, and height increase. During this period, establishing a good nutrition and sleep routine is very valuable. The necessary growth hormone for children's development and height is released between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM. It is crucial for children to be in deep sleep during these hours to benefit from this hormone, which is essential for growth and development. Children also consolidate everything they learned during the day in their sleep, highlighting the importance of sleep for intelligence development. Additionally, the melatonin hormone released during deep sleep is very important for children's immune systems.
How to Establish Healthy Sleep Habits?
Encourage the baby to sleep independently in their own crib as much as possible. Avoid stimulating activities before bedtime, and try to put your child to bed at the same times. Ensure that the sleeping environment is at a temperature between 20-21 degrees. The room should be quiet and dark. Teach the child that their bed is for sleeping, and especially in the early months, highlight the difference between day and night. Establish bedtime routines. It’s essential to pay attention to age-appropriate awake durations; babies can stay awake for long periods. If your baby does not sleep well during the day, they will become tired and will struggle to fall asleep at night, waking frequently. A child who sleeps well during the day will also sleep well at night. In short, SLEEP IS THE BASIS OF SLEEP.
What Do We Pay Attention to in Sleep Training?
In sleep training, a holistic approach is necessary. This means considering each baby's physical needs, how much and how often they should be fed, age-appropriate awake durations, sleep requirements, social factors (Is the family ready? Is there help available?), and the sleeping environment. All of these elements must be taken into account.
How Can We Tell If a Child is Not Sleeping Enough?
- They wake up very early.
- They appear overly energetic or even hyperactive.
- They fall asleep in unusual places.
- They are irritable, inflexible, and easily lose their temper.
- They either have difficulty falling asleep or fall asleep very quickly, becoming clumsy.
What is Sleep Regression?
Sometimes, when children's sleep patterns are regular, they may suddenly experience sleep regression, disrupting all sleep. Sleep regression occurs during periods of developmental milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up, standing, walking, and talking. It is normal for babies to experience night awakenings and resist falling asleep during these times. If parents intervene in the sleep regressions of typically good sleepers, they may instill unhealthy sleep habits that will later need correcting.
What Should Be Done for Quality Sleep?
- Ensure sufficient sleep is being achieved.
- Establish a good and relaxing pre-sleep routine.
- Cut out stimulants before bedtime.
- Maintain a regular and consistent schedule.
- Set an ideal bedtime.
