As a parent, you may have heard a lot about sleep training and when it’s appropriate to start. If you’re wondering when you can work on sleep, you’re in the right place! Let’s explore this topic together, focusing on what’s possible and how you can set the stage for healthy sleep habits from the very beginning.

Understanding Sleep Shaping

In the first few months, the term “sleep shaping” is more applicable than “sleep training.” This period is crucial for laying the groundwork for positive sleep associations. At this age, your baby’s sleep patterns are still developing, and their needs are quite different from those of older infants. Sleep shaping focuses on creating a nurturing environment that encourages healthy sleep habits rather than applying traditional sleep training techniques.

Creating Positive Sleep Associations

During the early months, it’s essential to establish positive sleep associations. This means helping your baby learn to fall asleep in a way that feels comforting and secure. Some effective strategies include:

• Consistent Sleep Environment: Make sure your baby’s sleep space is safe and conducive to sleep. Consistency in the sleep environment helps your baby associate that space with rest. This includes:
  • On their back
  • Alone
  • In their crib/bassinet
  • Warm PJs
  • In a dark room
  • White noise machine
  • Comfortable temperature (68-72 degrees F)
• Swaddling: Swaddling mimics the snug feeling of the womb, providing comfort and security. Ensure the swaddle is tight around the arms but loose around the hips for proper leg mobility. This can help your baby feel secure while still allowing for natural movement.
• Consistent Bedtime Routine: Establish a soothing bedtime routine that signals to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This could include a warm bath, reading a story, and singing songs. The goal is to create a predictable environment that helps your baby feel relaxed and ready for sleep.
• Calm & Awake: Putting your baby down calm but awake gives them opportunities to practice falling asleep on their own. Make sure you are following age-appropriate wake windows so they are ready for sleep but not overtired.

Also, babies learn to sleep where they practice sleeping, so if your baby is taking every daytime nap on the go, they will learn how to fall asleep on the go rather than in their crib. Practicing during the day is much better than trying to establish sleep habits at 3 AM!

Avoiding Sleep Crutches

It’s also crucial to be mindful of “sleep crutches”—habits or dependencies that can make it difficult for your baby to learn independent sleep. These might include:

• Feeding to Sleep: In the early months, following an eat, play, sleep schedule is helpful to ensure your baby is fed at appropriate intervals and has age-appropriate awake time so they are ready for sleep. Nursing or bottle-feeding to sleep can develop a feed-to-sleep association that can be challenging to stop when they’re older.
• Rocking or Bouncing to Sleep: Similarly, if your baby becomes accustomed to being rocked or bounced to fall asleep (either in your arms or in a stroller/car seat) they may struggle to fall asleep independently in the future. While it’s lovely to cuddle with your little one and get naps in on the go, I recommend giving your baby lots of opportunities to fall asleep independently on a horizontal surface.
• Pacifiers: Pacifiers can be a helpful tool, but it’s important not to rely on them consistently to help your baby fall asleep or get back to sleep. If your baby becomes too dependent on their pacifier and wakes up when it falls out, they’ll need your help to put it back in (even at 3 AM!). This can interfere with their ability to connect sleep cycles on their own and learn to fall back asleep independently.

By focusing on sleep shaping and establishing positive sleep associations from the beginning, you’re setting the stage for independent sleep down the line. As your baby grows, these early habits will help them transition to more structured sleep routines with greater ease. By fostering a supportive sleep environment and avoiding sleep crutches, you’ll encourage healthy sleep habits that last a lifetime.

If you have questions or need personalized support as you navigate this journey, don’t hesitate to reach out! Together, we can help your little one—and you—get the sleep you deserve.