“Controlled comforting” and “camping out”, examples of training methods for infant sleep training, are safe for babies, improve their sleep, and lower short-term symptoms of maternal depression over the short-term, Australian researchers reported in the journal Pediatrics.”

This is reassuring news for us all!

If you’ve read my book Good Night Sleep Tight,  you know that The Sleep Lady Shuffle© ** IS ** the “camping out” method where “the parent sits while they learn to fall asleep on their own. Gradually, the parents remove themselves from the baby’s room.” as described in the journal article….all the while offering physical and verbal reassurance to the child. The cry-it-out method does not have to be your only option.

Here are some of the most important sleep training take away points from this journal article:

• “Camping out” (i.e., The Sleep Lady Shuffle ©) proven effective! There was clear evidence of sleep improvement using this behavioral sleep technique.
• Both infants and parents benefited. The research shows improvements in both the children’s and their mothers sleep when they were 2 years old. Mom’s mental health improved too! A happy, emotionally available mom will help support a secure attachment with her child. Well-rested baby is usually an easier, less cranky baby and a well-rested parent is an easier, less cranky parent, able to show their child more joy and love.
• Most babies are ready to sleep train by 6 months. This aligns with my recommendations to offer only the gentlest of sleep-shaping techniques in the first few months of life, and I don’t introduce my Sleep Lady Shuffle until a baby is six months old.
• Important to rule out medical conditions. Most sleep problems are behavioral, not medical, but I always tell parents to check with your child’s pediatrician to rule out any underlying causes. Read this article written by Dr Lewis Kass to learn more about some of the common medical conditions that can disrupt sleep.
• Consistency is key. This article points out that 52 sleep studies show that consistency is crucial and more important than the particular sleep method chosen. I couldn’t agree more! Ultimately, when it comes to your child’s sleep I always tell parents to follow their intuition and stick to a plan that works best for their family. Consistency is your key to success when is comes to sleep coaching.

Lack of sleep has a way of causing all sorts of unnecessary stress for the entire family, and gentle sleep coaching can help! Join me in being proactive, and share this information with tired parents everywhere.

Sweet dreams,
Kim
The Sleep Lady

You can read the full article here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/250049.php

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Photography by By inhisgrace on Flickr