How Much Sleep Should Your Baby Be Getting?

Tips, education, routines, & checklists to create & develop healthy sleep habits for baby & parents

from the Baby Sleep Dr. sleep is the key to wellbeing Congratulations! You've made the wise decision to teach healthy, independent sleep skills early on. I'm proud of you for taking the important steps to improve sleep and overall physical and emotional wellness for your child and yourself (which you both deserve!). In this guide, I provide tools, example ideal schedules, tips, and education. This plan covers babies 4 -18 months. While there is some flexibility within the plan to fit your family's needs, remember that results come with consistency. I want you to be successful! So, try to commit to the plan and tools and do your best!

Did you know it’s possible for babies and children to look forward to bedtime and actually get excited about going to sleep? My daughter tells me when she is tired and ready for bed, and my son tries to climb into his crib at the end of our routine! This is all possible for you and your baby, and I'm honored to help you on your journey. I know you may be sleep deprived and you’re doing the best you can. I don’t judge any of your decisions up to this point, and I respect you for investing in your baby’s sleep health! I am here to guide you on creating healthy sleep habits for your baby that will last a lifetime.

Keep this handy. The early infancy and baby phase can be confusing because sleep is constantly evolving. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Use this guide as a tangible outline full of important tools to set a healthy foundation and refer back to when sleep gets disrupted.

This is not "Cry it Out," but your baby may cry. In this guide I will provide you with options to soothe, comfort, reassure, and support your baby; but please understand that crying is a symptom of frustration, confusion, and often fatigue/exhaustion and as such, may not be preventable. The older a baby gets, the harder it is to break habits or introduce new skills. If your baby's emotional response to a change in their sleep habits is to cry, just know that after several days of consistency on your part, the crying will lessen and sleep will improve.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. This guide was created to benefit the wellness of babies. I will educate you on how your decisions and actions impact your baby’s sleep and while I will ask you to make changes, you are not expected to do anything you are not comfortable doing. However, please keep in mind that if you are not willing to take the steps required to initiate change, you likely won't see results.

Flexibility is key. The infant/baby phase is constantly changing as your baby is developing physically and cognitively. A 4- month-old is so much different than a 7-month-old in what they are capable of and aware of. One day everything may go perfectly and the next day, naps are a mess and bedtime gets moved up before the sun even sets. That’s ok! Be patient with yourself and your baby. You WILL sleep again, so will your baby, and sooner than later with this guide.

Commit to the plan, it works! Have faith that when these tools are used consistently they will be successful. Nothing changes in one night or one nap. Give it time, be consistent, be patient, and commit to the work.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. This guide is about CONSISTENCY! You and your baby are on a sleep journey that has likely been confusing and difficult for you both up until this point. Now is the time to commit to teaching and encouraging independent sleep skills so your baby has the opportunity to develop their own strategies for peacefully falling asleep, getting back to sleep, and sleeping well. Read this guide in its entirety so you feel confident in moving forward, then stay committed and consistent. You can do it!

Remember to also take care of yourself during this time. Ask for help when you need it, take breaks and rest. This process can be a roller coaster ride with some great nights followed by a regression. If you're feeling burnt out then just focus on the first nap of the day and bedtime for several days. Or have someone else take over the night routine. Your wellness is important, too.

Newborns didn't have 'bad habits,' BUT habits do become ingrained and will become unhelpful as your child grows. Sleep is a biological need and it is crucial to healthy development. It might be easier in the moment to cave and create a bad habit, but it will be harder on both yourself and your baby to break later on.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. My Services Are Not Medical Advice. The advice you receive is for informational purposes only and is intended for use with common early childhood sleep issues that are unrelated to medical conditions. This advice is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health practitioner regarding any matters that may require medical attention or diagnosis, and before following the advice and using the techniques described here. Reliance on any information provided by Dr. Aubrie DeBear and Baby Sleep Dr. is solely at your own risk. Additionally, Baby Sleep Dr. does not consult on breastfeeding. If you have questions about breastfeeding and/or how much/how often your baby should be eating please consult a specialist. Exclusion/Limitation of Liability: Dr. Aubrie DeBear and Baby Sleep Dr. do not make any representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding consulting services provided. Dr. Aubrie DeBear and Baby Sleep Dr.’s liability (if any) is limited to the 'Custom Sleep Plan' fee paid by you to Baby Sleep Dr. and in no event will Dr. Aubrie DeBear and Baby Sleep Dr. be liable to you for any other claim, losses, or damages. Confidentiality and Proprietary Information: Through your purchase of the 'Custom Sleep Plan,' you (the client) agree to hold in strictest confidence and shall not disclose to a third party any confidential information, technique, process, trade secret, or other confidential matter relating to the products, services, or business of Dr. Aubrie DeBear and Baby Sleep Dr. This content, imagery, text, and processes in this guide are copyrighted and may not be reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work. Any such behaviors will be considered infringements of that copyright.

While babies and children need a solid 10-12 hours of nighttime sleep, their amount of daytime sleep differs as they grow. ‘Sleep needs’ are the typical TOTAL amount of sleep babies and children need based on age for health, functioning, growth, and development. Sleep is essential and crucial to overall wellness. Without enough

proper sleep our health suffers and the same is true for babies. I always remind parents that when we become sick our bodies literally shut down and force us to SLEEP because sleep is restorative and encourages optimal health.

This is total time and includes daytime naps as well as nighttime sleep in a 24-hour period

4-9 months 12-15 hours

9-18 months 12-14 hours

Babies will sleep somewhere in this range; although, some days it might be more or less and that’s ok.

However; if your baby is consistently not sleeping enough, then implementing the provided tools and plans will be more difficult as a baby becomes more sleep deprived. It is ideal to work on naps and night all at once, but an overly-tired child who fights naps will not sleep well at night, so it is ok to focus only on bedtime until some sleep debt is diminished and then begin to work on naps. More on this later.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Wake windows are the MAXIMUM time a baby should be awake from the moment they wake up until they are put back down. That includes feeding, diaper change, ‘play time,’ & nap routine.

Babies can only handle being awake for so long before they become overstimulated & overly-tired. If your baby becomes exhausted, they will NOT go down for naps or bedtime smoothly. Wake windows change as babies grow. I recommend being strict in the early months, but as babies get older, it's ok to push them a bit, especially during a wake window/nap transition. More onW thisa lakteer. Windows by Age

4 - 6 mos 2 hours 6 - 9 mos 2-3 hours 9 - 12 mos 3-4 hours 12 - 18 mos 5 hours

**For babies born before 37 weeks, please see "adjusted age" in the success tips section

Newborns up to 4 months old only had two stages of sleep: light sleep & deep (REM) sleep, which is why it was so easy to rock them and seamlessly put them down to continue soundly sleeping. However, around 4 months (anytime between 3-5 mo) babies shift into a typical 4-stage non-REM sleep cycle.

Stage 5 Stage 1 20% 20% S T A G E 1 L S T A G E 2 t e ig h y h lig b e t / r m s sy a le w : ed in ov e o p n w e p r ee e m : D sl ak a e w ve n a s t ly s & si lo ea w

e m R a

a o r m p a p t a v e l i e i e e n d e l m p g d s e : p

e o y p s a

n e Stage 4 c e n Stage 2 i s t S T A G E 3 c e : g e u D R E M 20% e v 20% r a s b

w Very deep sleep: not easily disrupted

Stage 3 S T A20G% E 4

Your baby who was once sleeping in wonderfully long chunks throughout the night is now waking up every hour. This is because they are spending more time in light sleep.

The mysterious 4-month sleep lengthens. However, during regression is actually a and at night this change in developmental milestone, so awareness and shift in sleep it's more of a PRO-gression stages can cause babies to because it means baby is fully wake out of a sleep developing cognitively. Not cycle or to be disrupted while only does their sleep in the lighter stages of sleep. drastically shift but their We all naturally wake at the cognitive awareness also end of a sleep cycle, but are progresses. Which is able to get ourselves back to wonderful news...during the sleep. That same barking dog day. Baby is more able to play now startles baby out of and interact, smiling when you sleep. Snoring husband? smile, aware of the barking Baby is awake. Shadows on dog, and their 'play time' the wall? Baby is stimulated.

If a baby does not have independent sleep skills then they will need your assistance in getting back to sleep. This is the time when babies are learning, or have already learned, that they either need a prop to sleep or they can do it themselves. Be careful not to 'fix' sleep issues, and instead give space for baby to fall back to sleep on their own

4-6 months 2 hours

Wake 6-9 months 2-3 hours

Windows 9-12 months 3-4 hours

12-18 months 5 hours

Sleep Sleep shifts from 2-stages to 4-stages Stages including more light sleep around 4 months

Cognitive awareness & changing sleep 4-Month patterns cause more wakings. Begin Regression encouraging independent sleep skills

Holding Drowsy

Pacifier Patting

YOU!

A "prop" is anything external that a baby or child NEEDS to fall asleep or get back to sleep after they wake from a sleep cycle. It can be anything. YOU can be the prop. Babies do not come into this world expecting to be rocked, held, fed, or shushed to sleep. Those are things we introduce and they become accustomed to, but we can also introduce independent sleep AFTER full feeds (for young babies) and with comfort as needed. Once their biological needs are met, the other things become "props." Be mindful of what you introduce.

If your child has come to depend on you or something external putting them to sleep, then when they wake up they will need that same assistance to get back to sleep.

It is important to work on putting your baby down for naps and bedtime awake and within their wake window.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. The most common sleep issue I hear from parents is that their baby is awake for way too long during the day. Either baby never SEEMS tired, or when they do seem tired they just won't sleep. I get it! It can be extremely confusing. Knowing and understanding the difference between early-tired-cues and overly-tired-cues are important for two reasons: Early tired cues are not as obvious BUT are key in finding the perfect time to put YOUR little one down. Babies exhibiting overly-tired behaviors or late cues have passed their stimulation threshold and have essentially gotten a second wind.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Tired cues are important to follow in combination with wake windows. Each baby is different, so the sooner you learn your baby’s cues, the easier it is to find the "sweet spot" time to put them down easily. You should begin the nap routine once you see your baby showing any early tired cues. The more overly tired your baby is, the more difficult it will be to get them down.

EARLY CUES OVERLY TIRED

rubbing eyes / nose yawning

pulling ears crying

zoning out / cranky difficult to calm

less social / clingy turning away

red brows & eyes hyperactivity

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. What is Eat - Play - Sleep? This is my recommended schedule or order of activities to follow for daytime with your baby. Your baby will eat when they wake up from a nap, have. a short amount of time being awake & stimulated, then back down to sleep according to their wake windows and tired cues.

EAT feed your baby about 10 minutes after waking

‘play’ or stimulate them with a book, tummy time, or simply looking into their eyes and smiling (this might PLAY only be a total of 10 minutes in a 45 minute wake window)

when baby is zoning out or quieting down it’s time to SLEEP put them down for a nap.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Tired cues & hunger cues look incredibly similar. The best way to differentiate is to keep wake window timing in mind and to follow an Eat-Play-Sleep schedule as best you can. This is especially helpful for young babies, but is still ideal for older babies because a feed-to-sleep association often causes short naps.

The benefits are about responding to your child appropriately and tending to their actual needs, not what you assume they need. This isn’t about getting your baby on a strict schedule. It’s about understanding when they are hungry vs tired, and encouraging full feeds and plenty of rest.

HUNGRY TIRED

rooting near chest turning toward chest

crying crying

fist to mouth rubbing nose

Sleep hygiene means implementing healthy habits around sleep. This means setting up the sleep environment to be pro- sleep, avoiding props, limiting screens and visual stimulation prior to sleep, including an early bedtime and consistent routines, as well as making the sleep space specific to sleep (not play or full of distractions).

There are hard days in motherhood, but looking at your baby sleeping reminds you why it’s all worth it. - Kara Ferwerda

68-72 degrees for comfort and to decrease the risk of Cool SIDS. Keep layers in mind.

The darker, the better. Blackout shades or curtains are Dark ideal.

Use a white noise machine to drown out any sounds that Quiet could potentially wake baby.

Sleeping area free of distractions that can keep baby up Boring (i.e. hanging mobile, busy decor).

By 4 months old babies should no longer be swaddled Safe and there should be nothing in the crib whatsoever.

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Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. The following are my personal favorite products for bedtime and restful sleep for babies. I personally use them with my children, though I have more suggestions in different price ranges on my Amazon store. Click below to shop them!

Transitional sleep suit Soft PJ's Soft crib sheets

Nursery camera Overnight Diapers Sleep Sack

Night light / Sound Night light White noise machine machine

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Be aware of what you introduce to baby Sleep that they will require to fall asleep. Always Props try putting baby down awake, without any props, and within their wake window

Early cues start nap/bed routine Sleepy Tired cues get baby down Cues Late cues calm (shush, rock, etc)

Eat Eat wake, diaper change, feed Play Play after eat, rest of wake time Sleep Sleep nap/bed routine

Practice as many naps in the crib as you Sleep can, implement routines to help them expect Hygiene when sleep is coming.

Baby's Cool - Dark - Quiet - Boring - Safe Room

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. bedtime + naptime Establishing a predictable and consistent bedtime routine is a great way to help babies understand that sleep is on the horizon, and to aid in consolidating nighttime sleep. I suggest starting a bedtime routine off with a bath – it’s a great first step. It's such a significantly different experience that babies will soon learn that a bath means bedtime is near. A bedtime routine should only be 20-40 minutes long because if it is too long your baby will not connect the beginning of the routine with actually going to sleep and it will not have an impact. Similarly, if the routine is too short your baby will not get the cues to be ready to go to sleep.

Kisses goodnight

Sleep sack & into the crib awake

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Massage s babie o Pajamas m 2-18 Story / Song 1

Kisses goodnight

Sleep sack & into the crib awake

Notice what's not part of this routine? A feed! Make sure your growing baby gets enough to eat at dinner & consider weaning the last bottle/nursing session (after 12 months).

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It can be a shortened version of your bedtime routine. About 5- 10 minutes total. Example:

1.Diaper change 2.Cuddle time/sing a song 3.Read a book 4.Sound machine on

Sleep sack & into the crib awake

Note: Avoid feeding right before naps, as this will only encourage a feed/sleep association. Remember, feeding should occur when your baby wakes up, not before they nap (Eat - Play - Sleep)

Prepare I believe in letting babies know a change is coming

Familiariy Sheets that smell like you, a sleep-safe lovey, etc.

Time Daytime play and sleep routines in the room

Start Commit and make the transition to avoid confusion

Naps If you feel worried start with naps in the new room

Note: I've found babies & parents sleep better when everyone is in their own room. There is no right or wrong time, but the transition is easier for babies when they are younger.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. It's important to note that the AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) recommends no objects be in or around the crib until a baby is at least 12 months; including a blanket, pillow, bumpers, or stuffed animals. Also, it's recommended that babies room-share (not bed-share) with parents or caregiver for between 6-12 months, but that is a personal choice to make. Additionally, always put baby down on their back. But once a baby can safely and independently roll it is ok to leave them on their tummy if they've gotten there on their own.

A baby is something you carry inside you for 9 months, in your arms for 3 years, and in your heart until you die. - Mary Mason

20-40 minutes long. Start with a bath. Feed Bedtime should not be the last step. Put baby down Routine awake.

Nap time Shorter version of bedtime routine. A feed is Routine not part of the routine.

Sleep Space Prep - Familiarity - Time - Start - Naps Transition

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. self-soothing skills We all have our own strategies to fall asleep and it is important that we give our children the opportunity to learn their unique strategies before we rush in to do the sleep work for them. Putting our babies down asleep does not help them sleep well, but giving them encouragement and comfort around sleep as they navigate their own journey does.

This will take effort and patience on your part. It's perfectly normal to want to swoop in and help your baby get drowsy and drift off, but it's crucial that you allow your baby the opportunity to adapt. These goals are meant to help your baby get MORE sleep, BETTER rest, and AVOID unhelpful habits that can cause disrupted sleep throughout childhood.

Sleeping well is a learned skill and it's our job as parents to teach our children how to sleep well in order to benefit their health and wellness as they grow. Children will never un- learn how to sleep well. It is truly a gift you are giving your baby. Always remember, practice makes perfect! If something you try doesn't work, don't give up! Everything takes time. Trying is what's important!

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. One of the most crucial The best way to "teach" self- elements for teaching babies soothing is to put your baby to go to sleep and stay down fully awake so they asleep is helping them to may develop their own self- develop unique self-soothing soothing strategies without strategies. external assistance. Try your best not to feed your baby to If your baby depends on a sleep, as that's the hardest “prop” to fall asleep – such as sleep prop to get rid of. If feeding, paci, rocking, etc., your baby already has a then they will find it difficult to strong sleep prop, you're fall asleep AND get back to going to need to remove it sleep without this “prop” each completely from the sleep time they wake. process.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Establishing a bedtime The most important thing to routine that is predictable remember is consistency and consistent encourages has to be there 100% of the longer stretches of nighttime time regardless of who is sleep as well as self-weaning putting them to bed. We of lingering middle of the need to make each sleep night feeds over time. situation exactly the same so babies can develop a Refer back to my ideal consistent strategy on their bedtime routine to see my own. Then they will become recommendations for what to familiar with how to fall do to prepare baby for their asleep on their own in every longest stretch of sleep! situation.

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Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. It can be tempting to help the first stage of light sleep your baby fall sleep before and you have still done the putting them in their crib, but work of getting them to begin this is ultimately a prop that the journey of sleep. will result in you needing to get them back to sleep each Also, a baby who falls asleep time they naturally wake in in your arms or on the breast the night. And while you but wakes up alone in their might understand not putting crib will be startled and find it them down asleep, I want to difficult to simply go back to make it clear that your baby sleep. Imagine you fell asleep should be AWAKE and not on the couch and woke up in even drowsy when they are your bed! Also, some babies put into their crib. don't even know they need to lie down in order to fall This is important because a asleep. Because they've never drowsy baby is basically in fallen asleep independently.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Probably the TOP question I get asked is "HOW do I put baby down awake and teach them to fall asleep independently?!?!" Here are my top tips for accomplishing this with your baby:

This WON'T happen if baby is overly tired or stimulated. Watch wake windows & master TIME early tired cues. Know the basics (it all works together) Ex: eat/play/sleep schedule.

Environment is KEY. Follow my recommendations for the ideal environment: cool, quiet, dark, PLACE boring, safe. Put baby down in the same place for every nap.

This is a skill that takes lots & lots of practice & time to master. Follow routines and practice PRACTICE every single day. When baby knows what to expect each time they learn faster.

Nothing happens overnight. Are you practicing once every few days and giving up when it EXPECTATIONS doesn't happen? Stay consistent. This can take months and some days are better than others.

Self- Allow opportunities for baby to develop self- Soothing soothing techniques

Set baby up to expect a longer stretch of Bedtime nighttime sleep and a predictable routine Routine regardless of caregiver

Into Crib Put baby down awake - not drowsy - to Awake encourage independent sleep skills

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. 'the sleep plan' Babies up to 12 months old should have a final feed included in their routine to ensure their tummy is full. It will likely be a tricky time of day to keep them awake during the feed, especially if they are exhausted or have become accustomed to feeding to sleep. Keep a close eye on your baby and try to keep them aware of their surroundings, avoid drowsiness, and stimulate with touch or talking.

You might actually have to remove them from the bottle or breast until they wake up and are able to continue feeding. Keep your baby awake while you are burping as well. Keep burping to a minimum and make it a little less comfortable so they have a harder time falling asleep in your arms.

Your number one goal after the last feed is to place your baby down in the crib awake.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Besides the bath, the entire bedtime routine should occur in your baby's sleep space - your bedroom or theirs. Beginning at 3 months old I recommend a consistent bed time of between 7- 8pm.

You can adjust 30 minutes earlier or later depending on how naps went that day.

6:50pm Bath

7:00pm Massage/PJs

7:05pm Feed

7:20pm Stories/Cuddle

7:30pm Kisses

Sleep sack & into the crib awake

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. As mentioned above, the entire bedtime routine should occur in your baby's sleep space - besides the bath. I recommend a consistent bed time between 7-8pm. For older babies, I have removed a bedtime feed from the routine; and instead, increased bath time length. This is a good time for sensory play and connecting with your baby

You can adjust 30 minutes earlier or later depending on how naps went that day.

6:50pm Bath

7:05pm Massage/PJs

7:10pm Stories/Cuddle

7:30pm Kisses

Sleep sack & into the crib awake

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. One more word on consistency - for babies in this age range, especially as they're becoming more like toddlers - you want to keep the order of the routine and its elements as consistent as possible. Young children feel safe when they know what to expect and it will help make the routine go smoothly.

Having a set number of books and songs will also help you! You're not saying no to a 5th book to be mean, but because the rule is only 3 books. You choose and stick with it.

Make sure all caregivers, even babysitters, are aware of the routine. Of course there will be times when things are different and that's ok, too! Additionally, while I don't recommend reading more books than what you've set for the routine - there are nights you can read fewer books. Maybe your child is misbehaving or too tired. In our house the rule is 3 books. Even if its' the same book 3 times!

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. When you feel ready to start the 10-night sleep plan on the next slide you should commit and make bedtime moving forward non-negotiable. It is best for you and your child not to waver, give in, or be inconsistent once you begin the plan. Come up with a 'key phrase' to signal bedtime. In our house we say 'it's night night time, I love you!'

During the first 3 nights you can occasionally pat, touch, or hum to soothe an upset baby, but be cautious this does not become a new prop!

Remember, it is not your job to put your baby to sleep; you are there only to offer comfort during this time of change and frustration. Your baby is capable of falling asleep on their own - believe in yourself and your baby! You can both do this!

If absolutely necessary, you can pick your baby up to calm them down, use your best judgment, but then put them right back into the crib again. This would only be as a last resort. Don’t do it again if it made your baby more upset.

Repeat all of the steps of the sleep plan until your baby falls asleep. There is no time limit.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Once you've completed bedtime routine and put your baby into the crib awake, follow the steps below until your baby is asleep. Remember, the goal is to let your baby figure out how to fall asleep on their own.

Nights Nights Nights 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6 7, 8, 9

Sit in a chair Sit in a chair in the Sit in a chair next to the crib middle of the room next to the door

On night 10 - without making a point about it - you leave the room after bedtime. If your baby cries you can begin 10-minute check-ins until they fall asleep.

Time your check-ins to at least 5-minutes to give your baby the opportunity to self-soothe. Remember, grunting and whining are not crying - many times that is your baby settling and self-soothing. If they are still crying, you may go in to shush, pat, etc. - but do not pick them up unless necessary. Repeat this until they fall asleep. If they stop crying for a portion of time at any point, start the 10-minute clock over only if they begin to cry again.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. During sleep training you will handle non-feeding middle of the night wakings the same way you handle bedtime. After waiting several minutes to make sure your baby is actually awake (because sleeping babies can be noisy, and we often wake them), then you will sit in your chair where it was at bedtime.

For example, on nights 1-3 you would sit by the crib and offer some verbal comfort until they fall back to sleep. On nights 4-6 you would sit in the middle of the room until they fall back to sleep. On nights 7-9, you would sit in a chair by the door until they fall asleep. You will repeat this process each time your baby wakes in the night for all 9 nights.

After sleep training you should wait 10 minutes to respond to any night waking in order to allow baby the chance to fall back to sleep independently.

WARNING: For whatever reason, there is a typical 5th night regression. Babies might have a rough first night but by night 4 things are going very smoothly; then suddenly on night 5, they take longer to fall asleep or protest harder than usual at bedtime. I believe babies are simply testing consistency to see if this is really the new deal. Stay strong because by night 6 your baby will be back to sleeping well.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Some children don't do well with parents staying in the room - or maybe you have other children to care for and staying in the room isn't a feasible option. This alternative allows parents to remove themselves from the room during the sleep training process so their child can learn to fall asleep independently without the added frustration or disruption of having mom or dad nearby without doing the sleep work for them as usual.

Truth time: my own kids really fought the process when I stayed in the room and did much better more quickly once I switched to leave & check. For me, I had less anxiety once I left the room. Follow your gut and do what's best for yourself and your family.

During the leave-and-check process, you'll only return to check on your child if they're consistently crying - remember, fussing is part of falling asleep. Each check-in should be brief: say your key phrase, then leave. Restart your 'clock' if they begin to cry again. If at any point the crying stops or lessens you'll stop the 'clock.'

Repeat all of the steps of the sleep plan until your baby falls asleep. There is no time limit.

Nights Nights Nights 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6 7, 8, 9, 10

Set your timer to Increase wait time Increase your check in after 10 to 12-15 minutes wait time to 20 minutes based on comfort minutes

The longer you feel comfortable waiting the better. There's no specific amount of time that's best, but checking in too frequently can disrupt your baby's attempts at soothing themselves to sleep. Stay consistent with the times you choose.

Time your check-ins to at least 5-minutes to give your baby the opportunity to self-soothe. Remember, grunting and whining are not crying - many times that is your baby getting comfortable, settling, and self-soothing. If they are still crying, you may go in to shush, pat, etc. - but do not pick them up unless necessary. Repeat this until they fall asleep. If they stop crying for a portion of time at any point, start the 10- minute clock over only if they begin to cry again.

For example, on nights 1-3 you would wait 10 minutes then offer some verbal comfort or light patting, then leave. On nights 4-6 you would wait 12-15 minutes and continue checking in until they fall back to sleep. On nights 7-9, you would 20 minutes and continue timed check-ins until they fall asleep. You will repeat this process each time your baby wakes in the night for all 9 nights.

After sleep training you should wait at least 10 minutes to respond to any night waking in order to allow baby the chance to fall back to sleep independently.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Babies between 4-6 months old might still need one night feed depending on their weight or health concerns. However, it is always a good idea to wait a few minutes before you respond to your baby when they wake in the night. Remember, babies in light sleep make a lot of noise and move around.

Sometimes parents feed more often than necessary when their baby would have fallen back to sleep after a couple minutes of "fussing."

Remember, just because they eat when you offer a feed doesn't mean they were hungry. Babies wake many times in the night, but should start to sleep longer stretches and need fewer feeds. By 6 months, your baby should no longer need any middle of the night feeds, so beware of creating a habit that will continue to interfere with the sleep of your family.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. If you are feeding baby in the they don’t become overnight, change their diaper stimulated. Nighttime is for before you start the feed to sleeping, so resist the urge to delay the gratification of watch TV, check your phone, being fed upon waking. Over or turn on lights. This will also time, your baby will be less help you resettle faster when likely to connect waking and you go back to sleep. crying with an immediate feeding. Do your best to keep your baby awake so they can go You should keep your baby in back to the crib aware of the bedroom for feeds during their surroundings once the the night. Keep the lights low feed is finished. and your voice quiet so that

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Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. If your baby is between 4-6 months old and their sleep does not begin to consolidate after 4 nights of working on the sleep plan and night wakings continue even though you are being diligent in using the provided tools, then the night feed is the problem. I recommend confirming with your child's pediatrician that it's ok to wean night feeds. Anyone prepared to remove night feeds and begin sleeping through the night can either eliminate the feeds 'cold turkey' - meaning you handle all night wakings as a habit and do not respond with a feed.

If your baby still has TWO night feeds, you will allow those feeds for three nights - only between the hours of 10pm-5am, but each feed must be 3 hours apart. Nights 4-6 there will be room for only ONE feed between 12-5am.

For babies weaning down from ONE night feed, you will do so in just three nights and allow for a feed between 12-5am.

*Nursing moms should be aware of their milk supply and speak to a lactation consultant if you are concerned. I often recommend adding a pumping session in before you go to bed.

Hunger Comfort Habit

not usually the dirty diaper, too normal night case after 6 hot or cold, or wakings have months – often developmental been reinforced earlier - unless milestones with a feed or your baby is other prop underweight

Understand the difference to respond appropriately

Babies over 6 months and 15 pounds don't tend to still require a night feed. Parents respond too quickly in the night and do the sleep work for their baby which has taught babies to need assistance in getting back to sleep. Rarely is teething or a growth spurt the cause of sleep disturbances. Pay attention to how quickly you respond to night wakings, HOW you respond, and what props are being encouraged. Hold your baby to their best. If they are able to sleep a 6 hour stretch then there is no need to feed or rock them when they wake after 3 hours.

Consistent routine, key phrase, no props. The Provide some verbal and emotional comfort 'Sleep Plan' as baby learns to fall asleep independently

Keep lights, interaction, and voice low. Night Change diaper, feed, burp, and back down Feeds awake. Wean down or cold-turkey when appropriate

Wait a few minutes to respond. True hunger, Night needs/comfort, or just habit? Learn the Wakings difference over time & respond appropriately

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. naps + schedules It's best to think of a baby's schedule as being 12-hours of day and 12-hours of night. This is especially helpful for young babies and early morning risers and can encourage a more consistent nap schedule earlier on.

Morning means the "official start" of the day - when it's no longer a "nighttime feed," we get dressed for the day and eat in a bright room to set boundaries between day & night.

The best way to signal that the morning has officially begun is to take your baby out of the bedroom and feed them in a bright daytime environment such as the living room or the kitchen.

Let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world. - Napoléon Bonaparte

7:30am Morning! Feed upon waking

9:30am Nap #1 - roughly 1-2hrs

1:00pm Nap #2 - roughly 1-2hrs

4:00pm Nap #3 - roughly 1-2hrs

6:00pm Dinner

6:50pm Bath and begin routine

7:30pm Bedtime - Into crib awake

Do not feed your baby in their sleep environment when they wake from naps. Keep an eye on the time, wake windows, and your baby’s individual tired cues. This is a transition time, so your baby might be working up to a 2-hr wake window. It's a process. If they are taking short (or very long) naps, then you will change the nap times accordingly. If you need to choose between a catnap and late bedtime OR early bedtime, choose a bedtime as early as 6/6:30pm.

7:30am Morning! Feed upon waking

10:30am Nap #1 - roughly 1-2hrs

12:30pm Lunch

3:00pm Nap #2 - roughly 1-2hrs

6:00pm Dinner

6:50pm Bath and begin routine

7:30pm Bedtime - Into crib awake

Do not feed your baby in their sleep environment when they wake from naps. Keep an eye on the time, wake windows, and your baby’s individual tired cues. This is a transition time so your baby might be working up to a 3-hr wake window and still need 3 naps. It's a process. If they are taking short (or very long) naps, then you will change the nap times accordingly. If you need to choose between a catnap and late bedtime or early bedtime, choose a bedtime as early as 6/6:30

7:30am Morning!- feed upon waking

11:00am Nap #1 - roughly 1-2hrs

12:30pm Lunch

3:00pm Nap #2 - roughly 1-2hrs

6:00pm Dinner

6:50pm Bath and begin routine

7:30pm Bedtime - Into crib awake

Do not to feed your baby in their sleep environment when they wake from naps. Keep an eye on the time, wake windows, and your baby’s individual tired cues. This is a transition time so your baby might be working up to a 4-hr wake window. It's a process. If they are taking short (or very long) naps, then you will change the nap times accordingly. If you need to choose between a catnap and late bedtime or early bedtime, choose a bedtime as early as 6/6:30

7:30am Morning!- feed upon waking

12:00pm Lunch

12:30pm Nap #1 - roughly 1-2hrs

6:00pm Dinner

6:50pm Bath and begin routine

7:30pm Bedtime - Into crib awake

Do not to feed your baby in their sleep environment when they wake from naps. Keep an eye on the time, wake windows, and your baby’s individual tired cues. This is a transition time so your baby might be working up to a 5-hr wake window and dropping down to one nap. It's a process. If they are taking short (or very long) naps, then you will change the nap times accordingly. If you need to choose between a catnap and late bedtime or early bedtime, choose a bedtime as early as 6/6:30

During a transition time, your baby might be DO working up to a new wake window gradually. If they are taking short (or very long) naps, then change the nap times accordingly.

If you need to choose between a catnap and late bedtime OR an early bedtime, choose a bedtime as early as 6/6:30pm.

feed your baby in their sleep environment when they wake from naps - take them into a new bright room to feed. DO Feed your baby right before going down for a nap. NOT Follow an eat-play-sleep schedule.

Put baby down drowsy - help your baby learn to fall asleep independently.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Once the nap routine is complete, put your baby in the crib awake and without props. You should use the same strategy for naps that you used at bedtime. If your chair is in the middle of the room on night 6, then you will sit in the middle of the room for that nap. Try for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

If your baby hasn’t fallen asleep by then, take a 15- minute break. Offer a feed if it's needed. After the break, go back into the room for a second try (30 more minutes). If they refuse to nap (this is normal) then take them for a walk in the stroller or ride in the car for an 'emergency' nap.'

If you are feeling burnt out by naps you can always use the stroller or car seat as a second option or take a break and commit to focusing on bedtime and the first nap of the day as your nap goal while you gain some success with nights.

Take a Try Follow the night Try for break, stroller process & if it's not 1-hr feed, try or car working... & 10 mins again ride

Nap length will vary, especially in the beginning of the sleep training process. Anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours is considered normal. Longer is, of course, better.

Naps will even out. Some days your baby will need extra sleep because they’re growing or fighting off getting sick, or making up for a previous day of poor naps and chipping away at their sleep debt.

I really don’t encourage you to cap naps or wake a sleeping baby unless a nap is approaching the 3-hour mark. If you are worried it will interfere with nighttime sleep, it really isn’t a concern. The bigger concern is a nap too late in the day. If the choice is a late nap or an earlier bedtime (6 or 6:30pm), always choose an earlier bedtime.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. If your baby wakes before Although a short nap is not one hour is up, you have 3 ideal, it is normal when choices: wait 10 minutes removing sleep props and before responding and see if during the sleep training they fall back to sleep, if still process. Babies who have in the process of sleep been rocked or fed to sleep, training, resume your position and especially babies who in the chair, or leave baby in use pacifiers, tend to not be their crib for the full hour. able to sleep longer than 30- Oftentimes, babies will fall 45 minutes because they fully back to sleep when given the wake after a single sleep chance. I personally like to cycle. Naps take time to leave babies (unless crying) consolidate, so be patient. If for the full hour because it your baby is crying after a teaches them that waking short nap and you don't think early is not rewarded, and they'll settle or fall back to encourages them to fall back sleep, then get them up and to sleep or play quietly. That's try again at the next nap. still resting!

Naps are one of the toughest things to figure out. It seems like just when you have it figured out, there's a nap transition or wake window change! This is not a science and requires some mom-intuition and testing. Below are the top reasons for short naps. Rule these out of the equation and be flexible. Some days will work out perfectly, and some may be a disaster. Just do your best and try again the next day if you're feeling burnt out.

Use blackout curtains, white noise, swaddle, Not ideal environment appropriate layers for temp, etc.

Put baby down within their wake window Too early or late when you see early tired cues

Remember to follow the eat, play, sleep Timing of feeds schedule and try to ensure full feeds.

Don't rush in right away & wait to see if Caregiver intervention they'll fall back to sleep on their own.

Independent sleep, without any props, is Props the key to connecting sleep cycles

Put baby down fully awake for their nap Too drowsy so they fall asleep on their own

reasons troubleshooting

hasn't learned to mastering night sleep is the key connect sleep first step to mastering naps cycles

leave in sleep space for a full hour went down for the if baby is not crying or upset nap overly tired start wake window when taken need a prop to out of sleep space sleep (paci, feeding, etc.) move bedtime earlier or add catnap as needed

transitioning wake windows putting down awake, without and/or number props is essential to learning to of naps connect cycles on their own

Age Wake Window # of Naps

4 - 6 mos 2 hours 3

6 - 9 mos 3 hours 3 >> 2

9 - 12 mos 3-4 hours 2

12 - 18 mos 5 hours 2 >> 1

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. The best way to transition naps is gradually based on transitioning wake windows. The longer your baby is able to stay awake, the closer they are to being able to drop a nap. When you find your baby seems ready, keep extending the wake window gradually and moving the nap later by 10-15 minutes every three days until you drop the nap completely. It may be rocky for a few days, but it will even out.

Moving bedtime earlier by 30-60 minutes for a week or two can help with the gap in time and prevent over-tiredness. 6:30 pm may seem far too early for bed, remember it's only for a week to help get through this transition.

If you notice your baby is showing tired cues at the usual nap times, try your best to distract them while you are working on extending their wake window and pushing for a new nap time. It will get easier each day.

Resume your seat in your chair where it will be at bedtime. Try for 1hr 10 min, then take a Nap break. Resort to an 'emergency' nap if Guide necessary. Take a break from naps being perfect if you're feeling burnt out.

If nap is shorter than 1hr, wait 10 mins or go Short back to chair. Try to leave them in crib for Naps full hour. If not possible, get them up & try again next nap.

Wake windows and number of naps Nap transition frequently. Most important to keep Schedule a consistent bedtime and watch tired cues.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. tips + tricks For babies born prematurely, I advise parents in the early months to be conservative and use their baby's adjusted age for sleep-related issues. This applies to wake windows and nap transitions, as well as when to implement the sleep plan.

For safety purposes we must ALWAYS put a baby down in their crib on their back. However, once a baby is able to safely and efficiently roll onto their tummy on their own, you can leave them to sleep that way. Remember to still put them down on their back, but if they make their way onto their tummy you don't have to turn them over. They should NOT be swaddled if they are rolling over or showing signs of rolling.

As your baby learns new things, like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, etc. their sleep might be disrupted for a few nights. Again, don’t rush in and help right away. Instead, use the daytime to practice new skills, including during tummy time and on a play mat. This will help baby roll more smoothly or even learn how to sit down as to not get stuck standing in their crib at 2am! This is very common.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. With a monitor, we respond to our babies at the slightest whimper, instead of allowing them a chance to find their own way back to sleep. Without a monitor, it might take a few minutes for you to hear your baby and a few more to actually respond. By that time, they may fall back to sleep on their own! So, turn the volume down and always wait a few minutes before responding. And remember that a night waking does not always mean your baby is hungry.

Swaddling is most effective during a baby’s first 8 weeks of life to help a baby feel contained as if they're still in the womb and to help alleviate the Moro (startle) Reflex and having their flailing arms wake them. However, a swaddle can easily become a sleep prop AND a safety issue. Once a baby shows signs of rolling, you must remove the swaddle. Consider a transitional swaddle that is safe for rolling, or just move into a sleep sack to ensure baby is still warm but can move around safely.

Of course we strive for a wake time between 7-8 am, but our sleep becomes “lighter” as the night progresses. Waking around 5 am is common for babies and sometimes takes time to rectify. Don’t consider morning any time before 6 am.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Pacifiers can be a very useful tool to calm a fussy baby and if your baby is attached to their paci, then you can still use it to soothe and comfort while your child is awake. You want to really avoid pacifiers being used to put your baby to sleep once they hit 4-months. This prop is the biggest culprit in short naps and will often lead to countless night wakings. If the paci has become a problem and you want to drop it, my advice is "cold turkey" - after a few days, baby will adjust. If you want to do it gradually, I recommend ONLY using to soothe and remove it from the sleep equation altogether. Then, remove it totally.

If your baby is breastfed and you're comfortable, you could try starting to offer a bottle in order to allow other caregivers to be part of the feeding and bedtime process and to limit the need for mom to respond to all night wakings. A bottle only once during the day and at bedtime is a great place to start.

Babies are not afraid of the dark and toddlers don't usually show signs of this kind of developmental fear until close to 2. Night lights or lights on the ceiling are mostly just a distraction that can stimulate a child trying to fall asleep, or fully wake a baby in light sleep making it hard for them to seamlessly fall back to sleep. I recommend the room be as dark as possible.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. A catnap is often necessary during wake window and nap transitions. As babies lengthen their time awake and take fewer full naps, you might need to squeeze in a late afternoon catnap. These should not be used regularly; but when implemented, it can help baby make it through the evening to bedtime. An example of a catnap is a walk in the stroller and allowing baby to sleep for 30-45 minutes. If choosing between a catnap with a resulting later bedtime OR an earlier bedtime without the catnap, go with the early bedtime.

Don't move your growing baby and soon-to-be toddler into a big kid bed too early. It can seem like a good idea, especially if you have a baby on the way. But this is a big change that most young children are not developmentally ready for until much later. I recommend keeping a child in their crib until as close to 3 years old as possible.

Hold your baby to their best. If they're consistently going 5-hour stretches in the night and suddenly start waking every 2 hours, you can feel pretty certain they are not waking from hunger, but something else. Always wait a few minutes to see if they will settle back to sleep.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Sleep training is not cry-it-out (CIO). There is often crying involved because that's how babies communicate their frustration and exhausted babies cry more around bedtime. There is no expectation or encouragement to leave your crying child for an extended amount of time - but - do not be afraid of crying and be careful not to teach your child that there is something wrong with crying.

Switching caregivers in the bedtime and nap time process is very important. Not only does it give parents a break (which is important); but it allows for babies to learn that the routine is consistent, regardless of who is putting them to bed. Similarly; during the sleep training process, you want to absolutely switch off on different nights with your partner or another caregiver (if possible) so your baby learns quickly that this is the way bedtime is going to occur from now on.

Avoid Pacifiers to soothe, not sleep, consider offering some bottles to avoid mom being Sleep responsible for all night wakings and Prop routines, also important to switch caregivers Pitfalls for consistency and so mom isn't a prop.

Sleep training is not CIO. There will be crying, Sleep but learning to sleep well will result in less Training crying around sleep. Hold baby to their best!

Sleep becomes lighter in the early morning, Common but morning isn't before 6 am! 30-min Issues catnaps can help from time to time. Don't move baby out of the crib too early.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. common issues On days when your baby does not nap well, you should bring bedtime forward by up to one hour. Don’t look at this as “going to bed early.” Consider it “catching up on lost nap time.” Naps do take time and are HARD. Practice and consistency are the key!

Some babies and toddlers are climbers. Don't panic, but do try to make the environment as safe as possible. Always make sure you are moving the crib mattress down as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. If possible, you can put the mattress completely on the ground depending on your crib. If the back of the crib is higher then consider turning the crib around. It is also helpful to have a climbing baby sleep in a sleep sack. Consider different options before resorting to moving a young baby into a bed.

When traveling do your best to keep routines as similar as possible. Yet, while on a plane anything goes – just survive! But once you’ve reached your destination keep things the same. Bring your sound machine, a familiar lovey, and keep bedtime consistent when you can.

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Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. If your baby becomes ill for any reason of course you can make accommodations. Babies may need some medication throughout the night and likely will need extra cuddles during the day. While sleep is often disrupted by illness, it is short-term so do be cautious about changing the rules and boundaries around sleep because it will take longer to fix the introduction of new props. For example: holding your baby until drowsy is ok, but bringing them into bed with you should be avoided.

Teething and growth spurts are rarely the cause of disrupted sleep. In fact, growth spurts often cause more feeding sessions and longer amounts of sleep. Teething might be uncomfortable around the day the tooth actually breaks through, but it is not something to cause concern and have you shift your sleep routine. Babies have teeth coming in all the time so don’t set yourself up for problems and back-track on all of your hard work.

You can choose to sleep train twins (or triplets, etc.) two ways. My recommended way IF possible, is to sleep train them in different rooms (one in parent's room in bassinet), then put them in the same room after the program is complete. The other way is to keep them in the same room and simply do your best with one waking the other up, etc. Just make sure to be consistent in process for both twins no matter what.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Be careful of resting at breast or bottle and dozing in the stroller before a nap. These all count as naps to your baby, but none are as restful and restorative as a true full nap. If you have to be out of the house during a typical nap time then plan your drive accordingly. Picking up an older sibling from school? Leave the house earlier than usual so your baby can sleep for as long as possible on the drive.

Drowsy is the first step into falling asleep. It might not seem like a big deal and might even be easier at first to get your baby drowsy during the routine, but it is crucial you practice putting your child down completely awake to avoid short naps and continuous night wakings. It's not as easy at first but will make all the difference in the long run.

Sleep 'regressions' are related to developmental changes such as beginning to roll, crawl, stand, walk, separation anxiety, and even talking. Don't rush in when these changes affect sleep. Your baby will quickly get back to sleeping well. However, true regressions are about children reverting to old habits when there is an environmental change such as potty training too early, a new baby sibling, or moving homes, or starting daycare. Prepare your baby as best you can when a change is coming.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Are you following the outline to a T? Be diligent, consistent, and try your best. Consider where guidance may not be being followed, and strictly commit for a few days. See if things change.

Are you feeding too close to a nap? Doing the work for your baby? Allowing them to get snoozy during the routine? Are they overly tired or not tired enough? Is the sleep environment ideal?

Don't feed right upon waking. Don't get baby up any earlier than 6am unless necessary. Is the room dark enough? Developmental milestone? Keep in mind early wakings usually get figured out when you are consistent.

The ‘ideal schedule’ will never be perfect, it’s just something to follow as a guide. So, please don’t be too hard on yourself.

Teething might be uncomfortable the day the tooth pops through, growth spurts=more Some sleep, just survive when traveling but try to Tips be consistent and familiar, short naps & early waking? Make the enviornment ideal for sleep

Each day will never be exactly the same - these tips should be used as a guide. Do Flexible + your best to stick to the guide each day and Consistent be as consistent as possible. Over time it will work. If your baby is going through a regression, be patient.

1. Make sure to read the guide through front to back to make sure you’re getting all the info. 99% of the time the question will be answered in here, but it can be easy to miss! 2. Be flexible - you may have to play around with wake windows, tired cues, naps, etc. to have success 3. Watch how you’re responding to wakings. Are you reinforcing crying with certain actions?

If you're looking for specific guidance regarding this guide, I offer 15-minute check-in calls for $49. These calls can ONLY be booked by current customers and clients.

What could you use this quick 15-minute call for? clarify any questions you may have after reading through the guide help troubleshoot a specific issue that you're not sure how to move forward with tweak any guidance to work best for your specific needs

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Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. 18+months + Before you know it, you'll be dealing with a full-blown toddler. If your baby is doing well with learning independent sleep skills, it is possible they won’t be greatly affected by upcoming sleep regressions and the impact of developmental milestones on sleep. It's common to forget about these sleep regressions until they hit and then be so startled by the sudden disruption in nights and naps. Toddlers often start to fight the bedtime routine - but this is an attempt to see if you will be consistent. Toddlers like to have some control when they can. Let them choose which books, but not how many. If your toddler starts waking in the night remember the tools here and be careful not introduce new sleep props in the heat of the moment.

If after your child turns 18 months, or in the meantime, you need additional support or help troubleshooting, you are eligible to book a 15-minute "check-in" call (only available to current customers) OR receive 20% OFF my 30-minute Q&A Call by using the code HELP20 at checkout. Click below to book a call!

Click to 15-Minute Check-In Call ($49) book 30-Minute Q&A Calls ($79) a call

Try your best to COMMIT to the tools provided to you in this guide because they work! Have faith in yourself and your baby, believe that it will work for your family, and stick to it long enough to see results.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Perfect for those looking to solve an issue that has popped up after using this sleep training guide. Use this time to ask me specific sleep questions and I will give you specific tips and tools to get sleep back on track based on your goals and your family's needs. This call can also be paired with this guide to help implement it properly, clarify any questions, or work through any bumps in the road.

Dr. Aubrie is WONDERFUL! She knew exactly how to support my family during a big transition in our lives; welcoming a new baby and moving our toddler into a new room and new crib. We were challenged with our toddler waking early and confused about how to transition him into a new room. We questioned if we should put him in a big bed or keep him in the crib. Dr. Aubrie directed us with confident advice that gave our family hope and peace of mind. Her advice worked, and now our house is sleeping in past 6 AM Thank you so much

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Comfort with voice and some touch, 9 days The Plan in a chair, 10th day out of the room then implement 10-minute wait periods

Bed Consistent routine each night with bedtime Time between 7-8pm

Night Babies naturally wean or implement 3-6 Feeds day wean down

Morning between 7-8, never before 6, feed Morning outside of bedroom

Shortened routine, watch tired cues/wake windows/transitions. Try for 1hr 10min before Naps taking a break. Use 'nap emergencies' or catnaps when needed

Consistent Routine

Early Bedtime

Avoid Drowsiness

Put into crib awake

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. YOUR mental health and well-being matter. We need to take REAL care of ourselves. For ourselves. For our kids and family. It’s a necessity that mom is well and healthy (dad too, your struggle is just as important). Talk to your partner, friends, and family to get the help you need. Do not let all the responsibility of your children fall solely on you. ⠀ Mom's Mental Health 20%

suffer from depression during pregnancy 85% 33%

do not feel physical & emotional supported as health suffer since mothers by society children

78% 51%

put their family's are discouraged health and well-being about managing before their own work & motherhood

Sources: Women's Health Innovation and Leadership, 2015; Motherly's State of Motherhood Survey, 2019

If you feel like you may be suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD), it's extremely important you reach out for help: www.postpartum.net/

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Attachment is a big concern for parents. Attachment theory is psychologically-based. Attachment parenting is not the same thing. I will only speak to attachment as it is based in research. Building a secure attachment is about meeting your baby’s needs to the best of your ability, doing your best, and creating a supportive and nurturing environment while also encouraging separateness from you. That’s a big deal and a large component that extreme attachment-parenting followers miss. Your child is not meant to be attached to you so completely. That is called enmeshment.

The ideal form of attachment is ‘secure attachment’ and that is created over time when your child feels safe being separate from you. When they are encouraged to go out and explore the world knowing they can return to you for support and to meet their needs, that is a secure attachment.

*if they are hungry, feed them; but if they are not, then you are not actually meeting their needs by feeding when they are tired or uncomfortable – feeding is not the answer to all of baby’s needs* Do not worry about your attachment.

Attachment also does not only happen at night. So this idea that sleep training or encouraging independent sleep skills is somehow going to tear away at your attachment is nonsense. Attachment is built day and night by you doing your best and loving your baby. That’s it.

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. Crying will not harm your baby. Any research that says so is built upon either small samples, circumstances that induce stress in other areas and cannot be correlated with sleep training alone, or are based on a sample related to trauma or health-sensitive participants. Sleep training can be uncomfortable for the first few nights, but the truth is, a baby’s increased levels of cortisol are due to exhaustion, not crying.

Even the AAP states that a child with an otherwise caring environment will not be negatively impacted by nighttime crying related to sleep interventions (American Association of Pediatrics: Gradisar et al., 2016). Babies cry all of the time for various reasons – it’s how they communicate! If your baby cries in their car seat, you still put them in for their safety.

Similarly, encouraging healthy sleep habits is in your baby’s best interest and crying is not the reason to allow them to have disrupted and unhealthy sleep.

And truly, crying is a stress reliever – don’t you feel better after a good cry? Our tears carry cortisol out of our body. And why should we teach children that there is something wrong with crying?

Copyright 2021 Baby Sleep Dr. If you are worried about attachment THIS should be your biggest concern. Instead of raising children to be afraid of their emotions, comfort your baby, encourage them to release their stress, and provide them space to feel better and sleep well.

Finally, I do not believe there are naturally good or bad sleepers or that parents are just lucky. I believe all babies and children can be great sleepers when they are taught the proper skills.

I believe "bad sleepers" are either hungry, over-fed and gassy, or overly-tired; and therefore, have trouble falling or staying asleep. The tools I have provided in this guide will help you to understand how to respond to your baby’s cues and set you both up for successful sleep.

You’re always going to wonder if you’re doing things wrong, but that’s what it means to be a mom, to care so much about someone else that you just want to be as perfect as possible. - Naya Rivera

Babies who are physically comforted to sleep (rocked, nursed, held) are more likely to have a persistent sleep problem through childhood (Morrell & Cortina-Borja, 2002)

10-12 hours of nighttime sleep is crucial for children in the first 3 years of life (Touchette et al., 2007)

Behavioral sleep problems affect 20-30% of children in the first 5 years of life (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2005; Carter, Hathaway, & Lettieri, 2014)

30% of babies with sleep problems go on to have persistent sleep issues throughout childhood (Byars, Yolton, Rausch, Lanphear, & Beebe, 2012)

20-40% of toddlers have sleep problems that disrupt the lives of their families (Zuckerman, Stevenson, & Bailey, 1987; Archbold, Pituch, Panahi, & Chervin, 2002; Ramos & Youngclarke, 2006)