Navigating Life After Sleep Training
As parents, we often breathe a sigh of relief once sleep training is successfully behind us. But the journey doesn't end there. Maintaining those hard-won sleep habits and ensuring our children continue to benefit from restful nights requires vigilance, understanding, and sometimes, a return to the basics we thought we had moved past.
Celebrating Milestones and Setting New Goals
The journey of sleep training is often marked by significant milestones:
The first night your child falls asleep independently,
The first full night they sleep through
The moment you realize bedtime is no longer a battle but a peaceful routine.
Celebrating these milestones is crucial, not just for parents but for our children too. Recognizing their hard work in achieving these sleep skills is essential for reinforcing positive behaviors and maintaining momentum.
Once your child is sleeping through the night, its time to look at new goals and routines Such as:
Moving on to nap training
Introducing another caregiver
Date nights
Overnights with grandma,
Enrolling them in childcare
A family vacation?
Goals are specific to each family but once your child sleeps through the night all these “I wish” thoughts are easier to see as attainable. With the right plan in place, all of these are possible.
What is your next goal? What does a well-rested child allow you to do now?
Anticipating and Addressing Regressions
Even after successful sleep training, regressions can occur. Changes in routine, illness, travel, and developmental leaps can all trigger setbacks. Being aware of these potential challenges and preparing to address them calmly and consistently helps maintain the progress your child has made. It's crucial to review what led to successful sleep training in the first place and apply those principles again, adjusting as needed for your child's current age and needs. The most common regressions I see are
Illness
Travel
Time change
Too many days “off schedule” within a week
Not to worry, all is not lost. With Gentle Sleep coaching, you have taught your child the skills of sleep so navigating these temporary setbacks is just reinforcing what your child already knows how to do. As always, I am here to help and give advice if you feel overwhelmed with these regressions.
The Importance of Routine and Sleep Hygiene
A consistent bedtime routine and sleep hygiene practices are very important. Even after a child has learned to fall asleep independently, the structure around bedtime—such as winding down activities, a quiet and dark sleep environment, and a consistent bedtime—remains critical. These routines signal to your child that it's time to sleep, helping their body and mind prepare for rest.
Please know this does not mean NEVER going off scheduling. You did the work. Your child has their sleep skills so it’s important to enjoy your life but keep in mind the importance of routine.
Navigating Changes and Growth
As children grow, their sleep needs and challenges evolve. School-aged children might face anxieties about bedtime, deal with extra curricular activities over-scheduling, or struggle with the desire for more autonomy versus the comfort of parental presence at bedtime. Parents must adapt strategies to address these changing needs while reinforcing the fundamental sleep skills their child has developed. This might include discussions about bedtime fears, negotiating acceptable bedtime routines that offer autonomy while ensuring sleep hygiene, and adjusting bedtime as needed to accommodate their growing bodies' needs.
The Role of Health and Nutrition
An often-overlooked aspect of maintaining sleep quality post-training is a child's overall health and nutrition, including ensuring they receive adequate vitamins and minerals. For instance, deficiencies in vitamin D and iron can affect sleep quality and energy levels during the day. Regular health check-ups and a balanced diet can support not only your child's sleep but their overall well-being.
Continued Support and Adaptation
Parents can find comfort in knowing that the skills and strategies they've instilled in their children form a solid foundation, one that can support adjustments and address challenges as they arise.
Are you struggling with your child’s sleep? Could you use some support?
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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