Many parents face a lot of concerns while taking care of the newborn and often resort to searching for different tips and techniques on the internet to find better ways. One major concern for newly formed parents is to figure out a proper sleep cycle for their newborn.
Newborns do not have regular sleep cycles during the first few months and tend to wake up crying; this can lead to long, restless nights for exhausted parents. New parents also wonder when the right time is to start sleep training.
Are you struggling with the same concerns? Don’t worry because we are here to answer all of your questions. While perusing the internet, you may have come across many different sleep training techniques, one of which is the setback method. This article will help you understand the setback method and other sleep training methods and also introduce you to their benefits.
Sleep training is a process in which you help your newborn learn how to fall asleep on their own. The sitback method is a way of sleep training and is an acronym for the process of soothing your baby without feeding immediately. These ABCs of sleep will help parents customize unique sleep training programs for their baby to ensure 10 to 12 hours of independent sleep, alone in the crib. Keep in mind that sleep training requires the parents to be emotionally attached to the baby throughout the process. Sleep training methods are most effective during the four-month sleep regression period.
Why Do Babies Have Trouble Sleeping?
During the first few months of life, it is pretty normal for babies to have trouble sleeping, and this is because of the sudden change in their surrounding environment. In addition to this, during the first several years of life, children are highly sensitive and can wake up due to any slight disturbance.
If your baby still has trouble sleeping after getting a bit older, then you should consider a few things. Following is a list of problems that may be affecting your newborn sleep.
They Are Hungry
One of the most common reasons why babies have trouble sleeping is an empty stomach, and feeding them just before they sleep surely results in a nap!
Newborn babies require feeding after every few hours. Full feedings are essential for these newborns; though their stomachs are very small, this final pre-sleep feed helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels and maintains their growth. Feed them well before they sleep so they don’t wake up at night.
If the baby does not have its proper night feeds, then it may cry a lot during the night. A fully-fed baby falls asleep a few minutes after being laid in the crib.
Disturbed Sleep Cycle
When the baby is in the womb, they sleep when the mother is awake. This is because the constant movement of the mother helps put the baby to sleep. During the night, when the mother goes to sleep, the baby often wakes up and becomes active.
After birth, if the baby is sleeping for longer stretches during the day or has multiple daytime naps, this might end up affecting the baby’s sleep cycle. It may lead to the baby crying during the night. Try to allow fewer nap times for these babies during the day so they can sleep through the night consistently.
They Are Uncomfortable
A baby in the womb is warm and cozy; it can be a great adjustment for a baby to shift from such an environment to a simple flat mattress. This change in environment can lead to a fussy baby. To deal with this, a certified sleep consultant suggests that parents should swaddle their baby for sleep.
Having Reflux
Though it is highly uncommon, some babies can experience reflux when laid flat after food intake. To counter this, parents should use pillows and mattresses that are specially designed for such babies.
In addition to these, there are many reasons which may lead to your baby having trouble sleeping. To deal with this, you should contact a pediatrician who will help you find the best solution for your baby.
How Can I Sleep Train My Child?
Sleep training is a process through which new parents can find proper sleep schedules for their babies. There are several ways by which you can sleep train your newborn.
1. Cry It Out Method
With this method, parents are told to wait for their baby to cry themselves to sleep. This may seem a little harsh, but if your baby is properly fed and is in a safe environment, then it is okay to leave them alone in their crib. You can come back when it the time to feed your baby again. Keep in mind that for this method, consistency is key. It should take about five to six nights for your baby to start sleeping on a schedule.
2. Ferber Method
If you are having a hard time with the CIO method, then you can try this method in which you may allow your child to cry for a set period of time, after which you can check up on them. Gradually, you may increase the time intervals. As a result, your babies will be able to sleep on their own time.
3. Pick Up, Put Down Method
For this technique, parents put their baby down to sleep when the baby is drowsy but still awake. If the baby cries, you can pick them up and settle them down, then place the baby back to sleep.
4. Bedtime Fading Method
With this method, the parents look for changes in the baby’s behavior, like extended periods of yawning, before putting them to bed. These behavioral changes are called sleep cues. Once you notice these cues, then you may put the baby to sleep. This will help in finding the baby’s natural bedtime. You can alter this bedtime to your desired time with gradual changes.
Using any of these methods can surely help you in developing a sleep schedule for your baby. These methods will help parents avoid long nights filled with their baby’s crying
What is The Sitback Method?
The sitback method is a pretty common sleep training technique that helps your baby to learn good sleep habits without feeding them immediately. With this method, parents can sit on a chair inside the baby’s room and quietly wait and watch their baby fall asleep. Keep in mind that the parents are not allowed to touch their child during this period.
Gradually, with passing nights, the parents may slowly distance themselves from the crib and finally bring the chair out of the room. At this point, the baby will be able to sleep peacefully on their own.
How Does The Sitback Method Work?
The sitback method is a great way of putting a baby to sleep. Newborn babies feel safe around their parents, so the parents being in the room when the baby goes to sleep allows the baby to experience peace, and gradually moving the chair out of the room will allow the baby to be comfortable throughout the process.
Steps For The Sit Back Method
Following are the steps of sitback method:
- Look for sleep cues, like yawning and eye rubbing.
- If you notice the sleep cues, put the baby to sleep.
- Place a chair near the baby’s crib.
- Repeat this for a few nights, and while doing so, gradually move the chair away from the crib and towards the door of the room.
- Finally, after a few nights, remove the chair from the room and leave your baby to sleep.
This method can help your baby learn to sleep on a proper schedule. Parents who have used this method say that their baby started sleeping at regular times and they notice that their baby now gets better sleep.
What Is The Right Time To Try Sitback Method?
Doctors suggest that parents should sleep train their child at the age of four months. This is because of the four-month sleep regression. A four-month sleep regression is a period in which the baby’s sleep pattern changes.
During this time, babies tend to wake up in the middle of the night and refuse to go back to sleep. This regression period is the best time to incorporate the sitback method or any other sleep training method.
What Do I Do If the Sitback Method Doesn’t Work?
If the sitback method does not work for your baby, you can try another sleep training method. You could also consult different sleep programs. You can choose asuitable sleep course for your baby and help your baby to learn how to sleep on their own. Programs such as Taking Cara Babies are found to be highly effective.
Is The Sit Back Method Effective?
Many parents say that they have found the sitback method to be a great way of developing proper sleep schedules for their babies. In addition to ensuring that the baby sleeps at a regular time, the parents find the baby to be energetic and happy when awake.
This method is most effective during the four-month sleep regression period, when the baby’s sleep schedule is all over the place.
How Long Should I Try the Sitback Method?
Generally, the sitback method takes two to three weeks to work. After a few weeks, you will notice that your baby will show sleepy cues at a specific time. As a result, your baby will develop a proper sleep schedule.
Take Away
During the four-month sleep regression period, the sleep cycle of a baby changes, causing troubles. The baby ends up being fussy, and parents have a hard time putting the baby to bed. Newborns do not have a proper sleep schedule, but it is essential for them to establish a good sleeping schedule that will affect them for life.
To deal with this, parents can use different sleep training techniques like the crying it out method and bedtime fading method. The sitback method is also an effective sleep training method that helps the baby to learn to sleep on a schedule. Your baby may be having trouble sleeping because of many factors like hunger, disturbed sleep cycles, and reflux. If yours is having trouble sleeping and you cannot figure out a cause, then you should contact a pediatrician to help you in making the best decision for your baby.
