Myths #7 And 8 About Sleep Training – Debunked
There’s a right way to sleep train. I am a bad parent for wanting to sleep train my child. This is the final blog post in the series of four where we’re looking at 8 common myths about sleep training. If you missed first three take a look here – first, second and third posts.
There’s a lot of misinformation and judgment about sleep training. To me, sleep training means teaching a child independent, age-appropriate sleep habits. My goal and priority is to always support a family in a way that feels right for them. This means without judgment and always with kindness and understanding. I hope we can start to move the conversation about sleep training to be about each family doing what’s right for them even if it’s different than what you would choose through a lens of support.
When looking into sleep training, many parents feel guilt and wonder if it’s the best decision for their family. As with all parenting decisions, there are many opinions out there. On one hand, you want better sleep for yourself and your little one, but you’re worried about how to get there. Is there a best way to sleep train? Am I a bad parent for wanting to sleep train my child? We’re diving into these questions today.
Myth #7 I’m a bad mom/dad for choosing to sleep train.
Every parent makes different choices around raising children, and choosing to sleep train is no different. Every family has different needs, values, and parenting styles. No parent deserves to be shamed if they choose to sleep train their infant or little one. Your little one refusing to go to bed or waking up multiple times per night puts significant stress on you and affects your quality of sleep. Bedtime battles or multiple wakeups per night are not ideal for your little one either. Sleep is important for growth and development and having healthy sleep habits instills confidence and a sense of safety in your little one. Choosing to sleep train is not a selfish decision. By choosing this, you are making a decision to help your little one learn healthy sleep habits for life which is a huge gift.
Myth #8 There’s a right way to sleep train.
There is no one right or best way to sleep train a baby or toddler. Each family has different values, style and goals that will dictate which method will work best. There are many different methods you can choose to sleep train your child. Each method will vary in the amount of parental involvement and thus how long it takes to see progress. No matter which method you choose, if you are consistent, you will see progress! Working with a sleep consultant is a fantastic way to receive personalized guidance and support in choosing an appropriate method for you and your family.
Would you like support or a personalized plan to help get your little one sleeping longer stretches or through the night? Please reach out to me. I’d love to help.
