So what does 'independent' sleep mean?
This phrase gets tossed around a lot and I know I certainly use it...
So, what does it mean?
Simply put, it means that your baby would fall asleep, in their own environment (like a crib), without any assistance from a caregiver.
But what qualifies as 'assistance'?
{Anything that makes them drowsy, sleepy, or fall asleep.}
That could be:
rocking
feeding
patting
using a pacifier
bouncing
hand on back/chest
swinging
etc, etc, etc.
So pretty much all the things that we do to babies to help them sleep, especially as newborns.
But as babies get older, and especially past the 4-month mark, and their sleep changes, the 'things' we used to do, can be a barrier to sleeping well.
For example, if a baby is rocked to sleep each night in their parents' arms and then is carefully transferred to their bed and when they wake up, they will want/need those parents' arms again to fall asleep.
Repeat every time the baby wakes.
So if you've ever asked yourself, "How do I get my baby to fall asleep on their own?"
That's just it, they need to fall asleep on their own.
There are a variety of sleep training methods that exist; little to no parent interaction, to more interaction (and I do a mix of Stay In The Room and Leave & Check).
But they all have the same goal; to have the baby fall asleep on their own, in their own environment, without parent assistance.
So if you're rocking your baby until they are 'drowsy but awake', then you are helping them:)
Some babies can get help to sleep and sleep well, others, not so much.
I'm here for the parents who are helping their babies and it's not working and they would like some help!
I also want to say that if you are helping your baby to sleep, and they are sleeping well, don't fix what ain't broke! (at least until you're ready for things to be different).
Parents come to me at all phases of their child's sleep, here's some examples:
Co-sleeping (and sleeping well) but want to transition to the crib
Co-sleeping (and not sleeping well) and are ready for the crib
Parent holding their baby all night (and taking turns doing so)
Baby who wakes once a night
Baby who wakes 10-12x per night
Baby who only sleeps in a moving vehicle
Baby who only sleeps while being held
Sleeping okay in a crib in parents room, but ready to move to own room
Sleeping all night but waking up at the butt crack of dawn (excuse the expression...)
All this to say is, that no matter where you're at with your child's sleep, it's never too late.
Even if you're taking turns with your partner all night, holding the baby, it can be SO different for you (see Jamie's google review here!).
Want to find out about how your baby can be sleeping well within a couple of weeks?
Click the button below to get in touch!
Here for you,
Melody Patton
