Sleep Training Before 4 Months: Is It Possible?
Exploring the Possibility of Sleep Training Newborns
Are you contemplating whether sleep training your newborn before they reach 4 months old is feasible? If sleep has become a rare commodity in your household, you’re likely seeking answers—and I’m here to provide them!
The internet is rife with conflicting opinions, and you may encounter sleep coaches promoting their newborn sleep training courses. However, I’d like to share my perspective on why formal sleep training should not be attempted before your baby is 4 months old.
Why Wait? Understanding Newborn Development
Circadian Rhythm: Newborns have yet to develop a mature circadian rhythm.
Sense of Self: They often perceive themselves as still being part of their mother’s body, unable to grasp their individuality.
Melatonin Production: Their melatonin production is not yet fully developed.
Self-Soothing: Newborns lack advanced self-soothing skills.
Motor Skills: They are unable to bring their hands to their mouths consistently, which means self-calming through hand-sucking or pacifiers is not an option. Non-nutritive sucking is a common self-soothing method for newborns.
Given these factors, it’s advisable to avoid initiating sleep training prematurely. These developmental milestones typically mature around the 4-month mark, which coincides with the occurrence of the 4-month sleep regression.
Optimizing Sleep for Your Newborn
Despite these limitations, there are numerous strategies you can employ to enhance your little one’s sleep:
Swaddling: Find the ideal swaddle that suits your baby, such as Zipadee, Love To Dream, or other non-branded options on Amazon like Gunamuna.
Feeding Rhythm: Gradually establish a consistent feeding schedule, aiming for every 2-3 hours.
Daily Routines: Encourage eat-play-sleep cycles.
Active Play: Ensure ample tummy time and active play during wakeful periods.
Sleep Environment: Optimize the sleep setting (refer to my blog post on safe sleep and infant sleep environments).
Soothing Techniques: Experiment with my newborn soothing methods, available on Instagram under the highlight “Newborn Soothing Techniques.”
It’s essential to understand that newborns are not designed to sleep through the night. Frequent awakenings are normal as they contribute to establishing milk supply (if breastfeeding), require physical comfort and closeness, and are not yet capable of self-soothing.
