As a new parent, getting your baby to sleep through the night can be a real challenge. Sleep deprivation can take its toll on the entire family, leaving everyone feeling exhausted and irritable. One popular method of sleep training that many parents turn to is cry it out sleep training. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at the different methods of cry it out sleep training, including their benefits and challenges, and offer practical tips to help you decide which approach might be best for your family.
What is Cry It Out Sleep Training?
Cry it out sleep training is an approach to teaching babies how to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own. The basic premise is that you put your baby down in their crib while they are still awake and allow them to cry for a predetermined amount of time before going in to comfort them. Over time, babies learn that crying doesn’t always result in immediate attention from their caregivers, and they begin to develop self-soothing skills that help them fall asleep independently.
The Different Methods of Cry It Out Sleep Training
There are several different methods of cry it out sleep training, each with its own unique approach and timeline. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
Ferber Method
The Ferber method was developed by pediatrician Dr. Richard Ferber in the 1980s. This method involves putting your baby down to sleep while they are still awake and then gradually increasing the amount of time you wait before going in to check on them.
For example, you might start by waiting five minutes before going in to comfort your baby if they are crying or fussing. The next night, you would wait ten minutes before going in, and so on until your baby is able to fall asleep on their own without any intervention from you.
Extinction Method
The extinction method, also known as the “cry it out” method, involves putting your baby down to sleep while they are still awake and then not going in to check on them at all during the night. This method can be difficult for parents to implement because it involves listening to your baby cry for an extended period of time without providing any comfort or support.
Graduated Extinction Method
The graduated extinction method is a variation of the extinction method that involves gradually increasing the amount of time you wait before going in to check on your baby. This can make the process less stressful for both parents and babies because it gives babies more time to learn how to self-soothe without feeling completely abandoned.
The Benefits and Challenges of Cry It Out Sleep Training
There are several benefits to cry it out sleep training, including:
- Helping babies learn how to self-soothe and fall asleep independently
- Reducing night wakings and improving overall sleep quality
- Giving parents more freedom and flexibility with their schedules
However, there are also some challenges associated with cry it out sleep training, including:
- The emotional toll of listening to your baby cry for an extended period of time
- The potential for increased cortisol levels (a stress hormone) in babies who experience prolonged crying
- The possibility that cry it out sleep training may not work for all babies
Tips for Implementing Cry It Out Sleep Training Successfully
If you decide that cry it out sleep training is the right approach for your family, there are several tips and strategies that can help you implement it successfully:
- Choose a method that feels comfortable for you and your baby
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine to help your baby learn when it’s time to sleep
- Be consistent with your approach and avoid giving in to your baby’s cries
- Consider using a white noise machine or other sleep aids to help soothe your baby
- Stay patient and persistent, as it may take several nights or even weeks for your baby to learn how to self-soothe
The Bottom Line
Cry it out sleep training can be an effective way to help babies learn how to self-soothe and fall asleep independently. However, it is important for parents to carefully consider the benefits and challenges of this approach before deciding whether or not it is right for their family. By choosing an approach that feels comfortable for both you and your baby, establishing a consistent bedtime routine, and being patient and persistent, you can successfully implement cry it out sleep training and help everyone in the family get the rest they need.