Did you know that sleep training babies without crying is entirely possible? It’s true! All you need to do is choose one of these 5 methods!
Every parent knows that babies can be challenging at the best of times. The lack of sleep, constant crying, and tantrums are all things that we have to deal with on a daily basis.
But if you find yourself in a position where your baby is waking up too frequently, it’s time to take action!
There are many different ways to get your baby back on track without having him cry himself to sleep.
Parents who believe in these easy methods report getting more hours of uninterrupted sleep within just a few days!
Let’s explore these methods for sleep training babies without crying in more detail!
Does the no-tears method work?
The no-tears sleep methods have become quite popular in recent years due to parents’ anxiety towards the more popular cry-it-out method, popularized by Dr. Richard Ferber.
The Ferber Method is a bit too much for some parents. As a result, parents have been looking for some gentler alternatives to teach their babies how to sleep independently.
In reality, sleep training babies without crying doesn’t differ that much from the cry-it-out methods. The only difference is that these no-tears methods involve a more gradual approach to establishing healthy sleep habits.
For instance, one important aspect of the no-tears methods is establishing a consistent bedtime routine, the same as with the cry-it-out methods. From here, the no-tears methods branch off into several different techniques that we’ll explore below.
5 Best No-Tears Methods
Pick-Up/Put-Down Method
The first method for sleep training babies without crying that we will discuss is the “Pick-Up/Put-Down Method.” This technique involves picking up your baby when he starts to fuss and then putting him down after a few minutes of soothing words and gentle rocking. The reason this works well is that it does not involve any crying! It also gives you the opportunity to redirect his attention before he has the chance to get upset.
Fading Method
The second technique for sleep training babies without crying is called the Fading Method. This method is when you slowly start to introduce short periods of time without holding, patting, or rocking your baby. As you start to do this, continue to soothe your baby with gentle words and make sure he knows that the time is coming when you will not be holding him anymore. What makes this a good method for babies who are more sensitive or have trouble calming down quickly is because it does not involve any crying!
Chair Method
This third method for sleep training babies without crying involves putting your baby in the crib, but instead of leaving the room, you sit on a chair next to the baby’s crib.
Every night, you move the chair further away, until you’re eventually out of the room.
If the baby wakes up, you resist picking him up or rocking him to sleep. Instead, you offer comfort by patting him on the back or giving him soft verbal comfort.
Bedtime Routine Fading
The fourth sleep training method is called the Bedtime Routine Fading. In short, this method involves continuing to put your baby to sleep in the usual way, such as rocking or nursing, but decreasing the amount of time you spend doing it.
The end goal is for the baby to start falling asleep on his own without your help.
As you slowly reduce the time you spend nursing or rocking him to sleep, soothe him with gentle words if he fusses or cries.
Bedtime-Hour Fading
This technique is another gentle method that parents use to re-align their child’s internal clock with their desired bedtime. It involves putting your baby to sleep at the time he usually goes to sleep at night and sticking to that bedtime for a few nights. Then, you gradually move the bedtime to an earlier time that’s more appropriate for you.
For instance, let’s say that your baby is usually dozing off at 8:00 pm. Start by moving the bedtime 15 minutes earlier to 7:45 pm. Continue moving the bedtime 15 minutes earlier until you arrive at your desired bedtime.
Additional tips for parents
Regardless of which no-tears method you end up choosing, here are a few more tips for how to make the process easier:
- Playing white noise can be a great way to help your baby fall asleep faster.
- Put your baby down drowsy but awake if he’s younger than three months and fully awake if he’s older.
- Create a bedtime routine. Bedtime routines help your baby know that bedtime is coming. It’s a great way to get him relaxed and comfortable to sleep all throughout the night.
- Swaddle your little one. Swaddling helps to soothe the baby and reduce excessive crying. It can also help parents in their sleep training efforts. This will keep him warm, secure, and comfy. Your baby will be less likely to fuss and cry looking for you. If your child is older, go with a sleep sack.
- Create a cozy, calm sleeping environment. Cool temperature, comfortable sheets, and soft lighting are all necessary for your baby’s sleep. To keep your baby cozy, maintain a room temperature between 68-72F (20-22.2c).
Final word
If you’re struggling with a sleep training technique, it’s important to remember that there are many options available and one of them might work better for your child than another – don’t be afraid to experiment! The key is having patience and consistency so that your little one can get used to his new sleeping environment.
