My Sleep Coaching Methods Explained
There are many sleep coaching (training) methods out there, and I am often asked what methods do I use in my coaching program to help the child sleep on his/her own eventually.
1- Pick up/Put down
Settle your baby in a calm environment
Start with a comforting presence
Pick up your baby on a certain interval of time that we agree on
Put your baby back down and pause for the time interval above
Repeat the process: If your baby becomes upset again, repeat the cycle of picking them up and putting them back down, providing comfort and reassurance as needed
Over time, as your baby becomes more accustomed to the process, encourage them to self-settle by staying next to their crib or bed without picking them up
2- Shush & Pat
Create a calm sleep environment
Position yourself near the child
Start by some patting & shushing to provide reassurance for the child
Maintain a consistent pattern
Gradually reduce the intensity and duration
Adapt to the child's needs and continue the process until the child starts to calm down
3-Chair method
Set up the sleep environment
Sit in a chair near the child's bed
Provide reassurance and presence
Gradually increase distance and decrease interaction
Gradually remove the chair and leave the room
Respond to necessary interventions
Please keep in mind that every child is different and we come up with a custom setup that suits you and suits the personality/age of the child and we rarely use the methods as it is in the books. I do provide you with bedtime support at the first night so that I can be there to support you emotionally and help you tweak the method if needed based on the response of the child. In some cases we need to change the method completely or do a change in the original plan to support the child through the process.
Gradual approaches usually take more time for us to start to see progress, by progress I mean; easier and shorter bedtime, long stretches at night, and naps will come together at a later stage after night sleep comes together. We usually work on bedtime, night wakings, and naps at the same time, with exceptions to be taken into consideration of course. For babies who are still breastfeeding at night, we take this into consideration and create a feeding schedule for the night.
One last thing, before I end this blog, that sleep coaching/training is not only about the method, and in order for us to see progress we need to incorporate other factors that help the body to sleep easily and ensure that the child has a suitable day activities and sleeping schedule. This is something we definitely tackle and incorporate in our plan. You can check out our blog ‘FAQs About the Sleep Coaching Programs’ to answer any questions you may have.
If you would like me to support you through this program to have a smooth and long sleep time, you can sign up for the 1-1 coaching program from here
If you would like to see and read about other families experiences, you can check review page and watch more stories on IG
