Is Sleep Coaching Safe for My Child?
As a Gentle Sleep Coach, an alternative to cry it out method, I am always asked questions on SAFETY of the Gentle Sleep Coaching Process. Hence, I have put together responses to all the Safe Sleep questions.
Safe Sleep Training
Many parents wonder... "Is sleep coaching safe"? I follow American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for safe sleep practices, so you’re always in good hands. I believe in protecting the physical, mental, and emotional health of every parent-child bond when it comes to creating lifelong healthy sleep habits. Thousands of families, just like you, have trusted my gentle, science-backed process to achieve drama-free bedtimes, peaceful nights, reliable naps, confident parenting, and a well-rested, harmonious home.
Does sleep training cause psychological damage?
Not at all! I’m a firm believer in letting sleep science, behavioral science, and attachment theory guide your child’s learning process. Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching is an alternative to cry it out method and firmly rejects any ‘cry-it-out’ method. The ‘cry-it-out’ method does not help your child learn sleep skills. They just ‘crash out’ instead of learning how to self-settle and self-soothe to sleep. Our approach to Guilt-Free, Gentle Sleep Coaching® is to create the right environment and offer the right support for your child to easily and successfully learn how to sleep well.
An article in The New York Times summarizing research on sleep training concluded that while some parents may feel guilty or anxious about using sleep training techniques, there is no evidence to suggest that it causes harm to children, and in fact, can be beneficial for both parents and children
A systematic review published in the Journal Sleep Medicine Review found that using the right methodology of sleep training to match your child's temperament is safe and effective for improving infant and toddler sleep, and does not cause any negative long-term effects on parent-child attachment or child development.
Safely Co-Sleeping with your child.
If you're choosing to do bed sharing and co-sleeping it's absolutely unequivocally fine and and wonderful as long as everybody is sleeping beautifully and that you've created a safe co-sleeping situation. Dr. Sears is the man on how to create safe sleeping arrangements in a bed sharing situation. I recommend researching Dr. Sears and his safe sleeping recommendations.
Reactive co-sleeping is when the baby kind of accidentally starts co-sleeping without actively choosing the co-sleeping lifestyle. You or your partner have kind of grabbed the baby and brought them into the bed because that is the only thing that's working. In this situation, it is not a good idea because in the reactive co-sleeping environment you have not necessarily created the optimal safe sleeping environment for your child based on their age and stage.
To read more about Dr. Sears and Co Sleeping, check out this article.
APP Safe Sleep Guidelines By Age
The AAP is constantly updating their safe sleep guidelines as new data is available. Check here for the latest information.
Safe Sleep For Toddlers
Be careful not to switch to the big kid bed too soon. Some kids just simply do not have the maturity to handle being in a big boy bed or a big girl bed. Typically children around three and a half or four have two things come online. Cognitively that makes it a lot easier for them to be successful. They can now understand time so when you tell them they need to stay in bed until morning they have a better understanding of time. They also have a better understanding of boundaries and consequences. Make sure your furniture is secured, add baby gates to the doors and eliminate any hazards in the room. If your child is climbing out of the crib, it's common for them to start climbing, but there are several strategies to determining this behavior to help them stay in their crib. It's typically a temporary behavior that you have to get past.
Check out my video where I do Hot Sleep Coaching for a couple of families looking to sleep coach their toddlers!
Safe Sleep For Babies
The AAP recommends that all babies sleep on their back, on a flat, firm, separate sleep surface such as a bassinet, play yard or crib, and to keep the baby's sleep space free of blankets, bumpers, toys or other objects. When infants exhibit any signs of rolling, you should stop swaddling. Sleep Sacks are a great alternative to swaddling and a great way to ensure babies are warm and free from loose objects in their sleep space.
Safe Sleep Newborn
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room sharing up for at least the first 6 months of age. Newborns should also sleep on their back, on a flat surface free from toys, blankets and any loose objects. Room sharing will also make it easier for you to feed, comfort and watch your baby throughout the night. Swaddling is a good option but once you notice any signs of your baby starting to roll, switch to a sleep sack.
Click here for the latest information.
Safe Sleep Guidelines
The AAP has guidelines on safe sleep practices. Click here for the latest information.
Are you struggling with your child sleep?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
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