Straight talk about crying!

One of the most common concerns about sleep training is about the crying! “How long will my child have to cry?” I can’t really say, as every child is unique. It really depends, but some children will cry for an hour or more the first few nights. Others will cry for only a few minutes before they fall asleep. Some will figure things out within a few days. Others might take a couple weeks. Changing your child’s sleep habits will very likely be met with some protest! The best way for them to learn independent sleep skills is to let them figure it out on their own, but definitely not without tools and support!

The term “cry it out” method means after you’ve met your child’s needs, you lay them down for the night, close the door, and don’t check on them until morning. I don’t use this method to teach your little one how to sleep.

I use two sleep training methods that are called responsive self-settling methods. The first method is a parent-present intervention where you can stay in the room with your child and stay crib or bed-side, while providing physical and emotional support. The second method is timed check-ins, while providing physical and emotional support. Both sleep training methods are responding to your child’s needs but at the same time, you give them the opportunity to fall asleep independently.

A little crying will not be the end of the world. Your child desperately needs to sleep in order for their minds to develop and so they can begin the day feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to learn! I would love to talk with you more about your child’s unique sleep struggles, so book a free discovery call today!