What is sleep training?

Sleep training is the process of helping a baby to learn to get to sleep and stay asleep through the night.

Some babies seem to develop a regular sleep routine quickly and easily. But many others have trouble settling down to sleep-or getting back to sleep when they've been wakened- and they need help and guidance along the way.
How can you get your baby to sleep through the night? Our nurses can help by showing you exactly how to train your baby to sleep.

About sleeping - basics

Every living creature needs to sleep. It is the primary activity of the brain during early development. Circadian rhythms, or the sleep-wake cycle, are regulated by light and dark and these rhythms take time to develop, resulting in the irregular sleep schedules of newborns. The rhythms begin to develop at about six weeks, and by three to six months most infants have regular sleep-wake cycle.

There are two alternating types or states of sleep:

-Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) or "quiet" sleep. During the deep states of NREM sleep, blood supply to the muscles is increased, energy is restored, tissue growth and repair occur, and important hormones are released for growth and development.

-Rapid Eye Movement (REM) or "active" sleep. During REM sleep, our brains are active and dreaming occurs. Our bodies become immobile, breathing and heart rates are irregular.

Babies spend 50 percent of their time in each of these states and the sleep cycle is about 50 minutes. At about six month of age, REM sleep compromises about 30 percent of sleep.

Sleep and Newborns (1-2 months)

For newborns, sleep during the early months occurs around the clock and the sleep-wake cycle interacts with the need to be fed, changed and nurtured. Newborns sleep a total of 10.5 to 18 hours a day on an irregular schedule with periods of one to three hours spent awake. The sleep period may last a few minutes to several hours. During sleep, they are often active, twitching their arms and legs, smiling, sucking and generally appearing restless. Newborn express their need to sleep in different ways. Some fuss, cry, rub their eyes or indicate this need with individual gestures. It is best to put babies to bed when they are sleepy, but not asleep. They are more likely to fall asleep quickly and eventually learn how to get themselves to sleep. Newborns can be encouraged to sleep less during the day by exposing them to light and noise, and by playing more with them in the daytime. As evening approaches, the environment can be quieter and dimmer with less activity.

Sleep Tips for Newborns

Observe baby's sleep patterns and identify signs of sleepiness. Put baby in the crib when drowsy, not asleep. Place baby to sleep on his/her back with face and head clear of blankets and other soft items. Encourage nighttime sleep.

Sleep and Infants (3-11 months)

By three-six months of age, nighttime feedings are usually not necessary and many infants sleep through the night. Infants typically sleep 9-12 hours during the night and take 30 minute to two-hour naps, one to four times a day - fewer as they reach age one. When infants are put to bed drowsy but not asleep, they are more likely to become "self-soothers" which enables them to fall asleep independently at bedtime and put themselves back to sleep during the night. Those who have become accustomed to parental assistance at bedtime often "signalers" and cry for their parents to help them return to sleep during the night.

Sleep Tips for Infants

Develop regular daytime and bedtime schedules. Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine. Establish a regular "sleep friendly" environment. Encourage baby to fall asleep independently and to become a "self-soother"