Infant Sleep Resources
Infant’s Sleep Schedule
A newborn infant’s sleep schedule is far from a set schedule.
A new infant will wake every few hours for a feeding, to be changed, and soothed.
Research has shown that infants are not biologically able to sleep through the night until after 12 months of age.
If you choose to sleep train, here are some of the options out there.
It is important to educate yourself on each method and base your decision on what resonates with you.
DISCLAIMER: All information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any kind of patient client relationship by your own use of this website. We strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute or any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the area of your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any medical decisions.
Methods of Sleep Training:
Ferber Method: This method is considered as the check and console method. Which is essentially when the guardian allows the baby to cry and self soothe, periodically checking on them and increasing the time span in between checks until the baby is asleep.
Extinction: This method is where parents completely ignore the crying infant and allows them to cry themselves to sleep without ever checking in on them.
Chair Method: This method would be where the parent sits in the room with the infant, the baby may be crying or silent, self-soothing. The parent will then move their chair further and further away from the baby and eventually out of the room.
Fading: In theory, a parent would start one night soothing the baby and as the nights go on, the parent would gradually spend less and less time soothing each night. Example being, if you spend 20 minutes soothing the baby the first night, the second night you’d spend 15, then 10, then 5 and eventually you’d lead to no time spent to soothe. Making bedtime an easy transition of putting baby in their crib and then understanding it is time to soothe themselves to sleep.
After evidence based research our agency does not promote sleep training. However, we do promote your voice and autonomy, and trust in the choice you make for your family. If you choose to sleep train, we will help you research all of the methods, including benefits and risks.
Sleep Safety For Your Infant
Over the years, there have been many suggestions on what the best position is for your baby to sleep in.
Currently, sleeping on the back is the practice that is supported. It is thought that babies sleeping on their stomach or sides can lead to constricted airways leading to possible suffocation.
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and suffocation are not the same. It is important to note that SIDS is still considered a mystery when it comes to why it happens. We encourage you to read a SIDS study release in May of 2022 and ask your pediatrician about it.
In regards to suffocation, keeping blankets and pillows out of the baby's sleeping space is of utmost importance. To help keep the baby warm without those things you can dress the baby in clothes that will keep them warm, like a sleeping sack or swaddle.
NOTE: Smoke of any kind is an absolute no, be aware of this and keep babies air clean and purified.
Co-sleeping is an option for parents and there are safe ways to co-sleep. It is said that parents who co-sleep or share a room with the infant may actually get better sleep. Studies show that having a baby sleep in your room for at least the first six months is actually preferred for sleep safety.
SOURCES:
‘Breakthrough’ in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research is Misleading - https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/sids-research/
AAP Safe Sleeping Guidelines 2022 - https://www.mother.ly/parenting/baby-sleep-schedule/baby-sleep-tips/aap-safe-sleep-guidelines/