It is a major accomplishment for parents to get their baby to sleep through the night. According to Kids Health, by the time a baby is between the ages of 4 months and 7 months he should be well on his way to a normal sleeping pattern that includes at least seven or eight hours of nighttime sleep. However, many parents find it challenging to get baby to sleep through the night. The good news is that there are many sleep training methods and tips that can help parents encourage their little one to sleep through the night.
The Cry it Out Way
The cry it out way, often referred to as “Ferberizing” a child, does not mean that a baby is left alone to cry for a long period of time, according to Baby Center. Instead, let the baby fuss or cry for a short period in order to teach her how to self-soothe and to fall asleep on her own. If you consistently rock your baby to sleep, you probably also will have to rock her if she wakes in the middle of the night. This method encourages the baby to soothe herself back to sleep on her own, so that she can transition to sleeping for longer periods of time.
The No Tears Way
According to Baby Center, the no tears way is an alternative for parents who have not been successful with the cry it out way or are uncomfortable letting their baby cry for any length of time. The key to this method of getting a baby to sleep through the night is to meet his needs during the day so that he is able to fall asleep and stay asleep. For example, provide plenty of food during the day so baby does not wake up hungry, and establish a consistent and regular bedtime and bedtime routine, putting baby to bed between 6:30 and 7:00 and developing key sounds, such as “ssshhh,” that signal to the baby that it is time to sleep.
Other Options
Every baby is different, and parents must develop ways to ease their baby to sleep that work for their baby and for their family, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are many ways to encourage a baby to sleep through the night that work just as well as the two most common approaches described above. For example, stimulation during the day can promote longer stretches of sleep at night. Keeping naps short also can promote longer stretches of nighttime sleep. A consistent bedtime routine signals to a baby that bedtime is approaching, and putting a baby in his crib when he is drowsy but awake also can encourage a baby to sleep through the night. You also can use a pacifier to help a baby settle down and soothe himself to sleep.
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