Dubai, UAE - As a new parent, you understand the difficulty of getting your baby to sleep peacefully. Prepare to say goodbye to sleepless nights and hello to the snooze express with the gentle sleep training methods for toddlers and, most importantly, a well-rested you.

When is your baby ready for sleep training?
Around 4 months, babies are often ready for sleep training. Your baby's sleep patterns begin to mature about four months, and their circadian rhythm (the hormone cycle that regulates our sleep-wake cycles) begins to take effect. At this age, they are developmentally capable of self-soothing and sleeping through the night without eating.

You don't have to start sleep training your infant as soon as they turn 4 months old. It's quite fine if you prefer to wait till your baby is a little older. Remember that the older your baby gets, the more difficult it may be for them to learn to go to sleep on their own rather than being rocked, fed, or calmed by you.

Some babies can begin sleep training sooner, while others do better later, around the 6-month mark. If you have any concerns or are unsure whether your child is ready, don't hesitate to consult with your pediatrician.

Here are the 5 best sleep training methods for your baby
The gentle exit


The gentle exit approach frequently works with toddlers who insist on you staying with them until they fall asleep. When you're preparing their bed and kissing them good night, say “Baby wait, I’ll go see where our puppy is and be back”. Then, before returning, leave the room for a few seconds. When you return, praise your baby with warm hugs and kisses for their patience. After that, proceed with the bedtime routine while making an excuse to leave – “I need to check something in the living room, I’ll be back soon”. Repeat this a few nights, gradually increasing the amount of time your baby is left waiting. Most nights, your child will most likely fall asleep while waiting for your return!

Bedtime fading

Bedtime fading helps your toddler fall asleep easily on their natural circadian rhythm. Instead of putting them to bed at their normal bedtime, wait until they begin to exhibit signs of tiredness such as yawning, then put them to bed.

The method is that if your toddler is completely exhausted, they will fall asleep more quickly. If your toddler cries a lot, make them stand up and wait about a half hour before attempting the fading method again. After a few nights of putting them to bed at the appointed time, you can adjust their bedtime by 15 minutes or so. For example, suppose you've been putting your little munchkin to sleep at around 7:00 p.m., and they fuss or cry for 20 minutes or more before falling asleep around 7: 30 p.m. This means that 7:20 p.m. to 7: 30 p.m. is their "natural bedtime," even if you'd prefer it to be earlier. Keep a note in your diary for a few nights to monitor when your baby eventually settles for the night to figure out when they normally fall asleep. You can also use a visual monitor to assist with this. Then, gradually, move their entire bedtime routine 15 minutes earlier.

Cry-it-out method

This is an excellent alternative to the fading strategy, which may not be effective for a determined child. Your baby loves attention! Coming into your baby's room and giving them cuddles and reassurance may be all they need to fuss all night - because they know you're going to keep entering the room every time they cry. In the Cry-it-out method, you leave the nursery once the bedtime routine is completed. You do not respond to your baby's screams throughout the night, allowing them to go to sleep on their own. There are various degrees of the cry-it-out approach, so you may tailor this strategy to what works best for you. One approach is where no matter how much they cry, you do not re-enter the room. Instead, you'll simply make an appearance and say "You're okay baby, go to sleep". The other one is where you try returning at regular intervals to reassure your little one and then gradually increase the amount of time between leaving and returning.

Most parents are reluctant to try this method since they are concerned about how much crying will be involved - of course, listening to those wails can be tough. While it can be challenging at first, parents are frequently amazed at how quickly it works. There can be a lot of crying for two to three nights and becomes less and less with each passing night. Give it a week before concluding that it isn't working. Remember that you can't give in if you want this technique to work; otherwise, your baby will learn that crying longer and harder gets them what they want.

Ferber method

Dr. Richard Ferber, a pediatric sleep training specialist, developed the Ferber method - also known as graduated extinction. In this method, you will leave your infant to fall asleep on their own and will return to console them at regular intervals. The Ferber approach allows your little one to learn to fall asleep on their own — and to return to sleep even if they wake up in the middle of the night. During the check-ins, you will visit your baby at timed intervals that will gradually increase until they fall asleep. On consecutive nights, the check-in lines grow longer. You can comfort your baby vocally or by gently rubbing or patting them. Remember, you should not pick them up, feed them, or turn on the light. Limit your visits to a minute or two.

Pick up, put down

This method gained popularity through Tracy Hogg's book "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby." The pick up, put down method is doing exactly what the name says – make patient visits to your baby's crib back and forth until they're settled down.

If your little one starts crying, use the stop, wait, and listen method. Don't go to get them right away. Instead, pause for a few seconds and see if they're simply fussing or if they're upset enough that they require you to calm them. Pick them up if they're not settling down on their own. Hold and cuddle them to calm them down. Lay your baby down again once they have calmed down yet are still awake. This practice must continue until your kid falls asleep, which may take some time, implying that this gentle sleep training method demands a lot of patience. It can be a difficult cycle for you as a parent, and you must remain calm and silent when picking up your infant to comfort them. These actions must be repeated as needed until your baby is calm and asleep.

Pick up, put down is regarded as one of the gentle methods as it teaches newborns to self-soothe without having parents leave them to cry alone in their cribs. While these tactics can be effective for younger babies, beyond 6 or 7 months, your presence may cause your baby to become more agitated.

It may take some time to train your toddler, so be patient. If you haven't seen any improvement after two weeks, consult with your pediatrician about modifying your approach.


Gentle Sleep Training best practices

Maintain consistency: Establish and keep a regular nap and sleep schedule. A consistent sleep routine helps set your baby's circadian rhythm.

Stick to your baby’s regular bedtime: When your baby shows signs of tiredness, such as wiping their eyes, fussing, or yawning, put them to bed. An overtired baby may have difficulty falling asleep and may sleep less overall.

Provide a soothing object: If your baby doesn't have a stuffed animal, blanket, or a lovey, let them choose one to bring into bed with. Simply ensure there are no choking dangers (such as buttons or loose eyes) or filling pellets.

Set a relaxing nighttime routine: Bath your infant, change into comfy clothes, read them a book, then sing a lullaby, and finally put them to bed at the same time every night.

Keep them active throughout the day: Your baby will sleep better after a busy day. Take a walk around the neighbourhood, go to the playground, or let them play with their toys in the living room.

Use keywords: These can be used to signal to your child that it is time to sleep. It could be as basic as "ssshhhhhh" or "sleep time." Repetition of the sound or phrase while calming your little one to sleep or back to sleep will help them connect it to bedtime.

Comfy sleep environment: Your baby's room should be dimly lit and peaceful. Refrain from overdressing your child or overheating the room.

It's natural to feel demotivated if your child isn't enthusiastic about going to bed alone. It can be helpful to remind yourself that, even if she is unhappy right now, encouraging your kid to develop healthy sleep patterns will benefit her for years to come.

Talking with your toddler's pediatrician about how to handle nighttime battles and establish a sleep training plan is always a good idea. If your toddler's sleep hasn't improved after two to four weeks of consistent sleep training, you should consult a doctor.

myPediaclinic - the best pediatric clinic in Dubai
Our experienced award-winning Pediatricians at myPediaclinic in Dubai Healthcare City help young children have a stress-free and relaxing visit. As one of the most trusted and kid-friendly clinics in the country, the doctors and staff at myPediaclinic are focused on delivering quality treatment and consultation for the long-term health and well-being of their patients.
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