Learn Your Baby’s Language
When you learn to understand your baby’s different cries, you can help them become efficient feeders. Sujay Kansagra, M.D. (Director of Duke Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program and author of My Child Won't Sleep), believes babies should be taught their sleep schedules. "Everyone should have a sleep routine - adults included.” Research shows that parent's own worries generally stand in the way of success.
"I don’t want my child to hate me. This is a fear for many parents. We worry that our child will feel abandoned and therefore become distant from us. You can rest assured that studies show this is not true. In fact, the exact opposite may be true: an infant's level of security can actually be better after going through sleep training, not worse.”
Dr. Kansagra reminds parents to keep your baby's needs at the forefront of your mind and above your own needs. "Caregiver guilt is a common reason why sleep training fails. If a child is crying, the natural response would be to console him or her. But remember, sleep training is not for you. Although you will benefit as well, the main reason to sleep train is for the health and well-being of your child. Not being able to self-soothe and go to sleep independently can be a burden for the child.
Persistence is the key. If your persistence can outlast that of your child, you will successfully sleep train your child. Once you start sleep training, don't turn back. Don't give up on sleep training after just a few nights. The most effective and proven sleep training solutions do involve some crying. But remember that it is for the health of your child."
