Today, I’m talking about baby sleep. My first sleep episode was focused on newborns, in this episode I am shifting my focus to talk about babies ages 3-9 months. My goal in this episode is to help you and your baby get more sleep!

What I'll cover:

• Discuss sleep regression and sleep training
• Introduce what a sleep consultant is and talk about my experience with one
• How to hire a sleep consultant
• Review my rules for sleep 
• Recap resources 

Sleep regression  

• Definition: From the Baby Sleep Site 
  • As baby’s brain matures, sleeping patterns change 
  • Cycling more often, like an adult
  • Baby's new sleep patterns produce more night waking and short naps 
  • Once she’s up, she will need  help falling back asleep
• If your child has established a sleeping crutch like nursing or rocking, you are going to have to break them of the habit and sleep train them

Sleep training

• What it is: training your baby to fall asleep on their own and/or go back to sleep on their own
• Sleep Training Methods: this article has a great breakdown of the various sleep training methodologies, categorized by “gentleness” 
• Choosing An Approach

My Experience

• Wasn't interested in Cry It Out at all
• Read several books, but it seemed confusing
• So, I hired sleep consultant 
  • Thankfully with my son, I didnt have to worry about sleep training...because with him I did it right from the start! 

What is a Sleep Consultant? 

• Person to "hold your hand" while you sleep train your child
• Work with you virtually (usually) to figure out sleep plan that is right for your family
• They walk you through as you execute the plan
  • Daily text messages/emails
  • Phone calls

Cost

• $200-$300 for custom sleep play + virtual support for 2 weeks
  • Same price as one night at a hotel!
  • It is worth it! 
• Budget friendly options: 
  • Less "hand holding"
  • Taking Cara Babies Classes

My recommendation for dealing with an infant who is having sleep issues (short naps, waking up frequently at night) is: 

• Follow my Rules for Sleep for a couple weeks
• If things are not improving, consider hiring a sleep consultant
• (Or just go ahead and hire a sleep consultant right away!)

Rules for sleep

1. Know the appropriate awake interval for your baby’s age. 
2. Don't let them take a nap longer than 3 hours during the day
3. Create a comfortable sleep environment
4. Create a consistent bedtime/naptime routine and do it every time
5. Avoid creating sleep crutches. Don’t nurse or rock your baby to sleep (try not to, its hard when they are so little)

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Stay healthy and have a great week!

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