Sleep training is a very sensitive topic when it comes to mothers. Training your baby to sleep in his crib in his own room when he is just a few months old is not easy. There is so much information available online and moms get confused which method to follow.

While trying to manage it all, a lot of moms make many sleep training mistakes they don’t even realize. Frustrated parents try so many different methods to sleep train their babies. And, they get overwhelmed when they don’t see results.

The reason is, they don’t understand the basics of baby sleep training. Today I am here to tell you about the most common and worst sleep training mistakes you may be making without even realizing it.

So, keep reading if you are planning to sleep train your baby because this is what you need to know.

1. Not Understanding Sleep Training

Baby sleep training is about your baby learning how to sleep without any help. That means he doesn’t need a toy, a pacifier, a lullaby, or a hug to fall asleep. Many moms confuse this with having a baby bedtime routine. They think that sleep training is about night time massages and lullabies.

When you are sleep training your child, you are looking for a plan where you can help your baby sleep without being held. You want to put down your baby in his crib when he is still awake, but a bit drowsy.

Now, it doesn’t matter which method you use. Sleep training is different for different kids. The goal is to help your baby sleep without any help.

2. Not Dropping The Pacifier

Sleep training is about making your baby learn how to sleep without any support. If you don’t take away the pacifier, this is not going to help because your child will get up during the night and he will be looking for his pacifier.

Making sure your baby sleeps without any support is the way to long term results. If your baby is not ready to give up the pacifier, maybe you should drop the sleep training idea. Start again when he is not dependent on his pacifier for sleeping.

3. Ignoring Sleep Problems Caused By Medical Issues

If your baby is having some medical issues like asthma, colic, restless leg syndrome, gassy tummy, or any pain, this could be a reason sleep training is not working. It is important to get the issue treated first, before starting sleep training.

The best thing to do is to consult your pediatrician before you start sleep training. That way, if there are any issues, you can rule them out first.

4. Not Creating A Sleep Environment For The Baby

When you are sleep training your baby, creating an ideal sleep environment will help. A dark room, warm crib, white noise, and appropriately dressing your baby for safe sleep are perfect ways to give your baby a signal that it’s time to sleep.

Having the same routine every day with the same environment will make your child learn faster. Your baby will sleep peacefully and for a longer time.

How to avoid sleep training mistakes with your baby.

5. Offering Night Time Feeds

When a baby is around six months plus, he doesn’t need nighttime feedings. If you are offering a healthy diet during the day, feeding your baby during the night when you are sleep training him is a bad idea.

You want to enable your baby to sleep without a midnight feed. If you are offering him feedings during the night, he will not learn to get back to sleep when he wakes up.

6. Having No Plan With Your Partner

When you start sleep training your baby that means sleepless nights and possibly hours of crying too! You should discuss this with your partner so that he or she knows what to expect. Having a clear sleep training plan and support of your spouse, will help you succeed.

Sleep training your baby can be frustrating and often moms give up on it. This is the worst sleep training mistake you can make. So, make sure your partner and everyone living in your home are on board.

7. Not Being Consistent

Another mistake parents make is inconsistency. Kids thrive with a consistent learning process. Similarly, when you are sleep training your baby, being consistent is crucial.

If you apply the sleep training plan one night and forget about it the next night, your baby’s sleep training will not be successful. Being consistent is hard when your baby is crying and you are tired, but trust me, this is what you need to do.

So, be consistent, and you will see results.

8. Sleep Training At The Wrong Time

The perfect window to sleep train your baby is between four to six months. If you start sleep training too late, it’s harder to sleep train your baby.

6 months old, is a perfect time for sleep training because your baby can follow cues and signals, and learn faster. Similarly, sleep training before four months is not a good idea as your baby is not ready.

Don’t Make These Common Sleep Training Mistakes

These are the most common sleep training mistakes many moms make without even realizing it. If you are sleep training your baby, make sure to avoid them.

To summarize here is the list of the top 8 worst sleep training mistakes moms make.

  • Not understanding sleep training
  • Not dropping the pacifier
  • Ignoring sleep issues caused by medical issues
  • Not creating a sleep environment for your baby
  • Offering night time feeds
  • Not having a plan with your partner
  • Not being consistent
  • Sleep training at the wrong time

So, keep these things in mind when you are going through sleep training and getting your baby to sleep through the night.

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Don't make these 8 common sleep training mistakes.

About the guest author:

Saima is a mom of two cute boys and she blogs full time at asupertiredmom.com. Saima loves kids and her dream is to open a kindergarten. She wants to motivate and encourage mothers and make them feel less lonely using her words. When not writing, she is eating pizza and sipping strong tea. She loves glitters and celebrations and beaches.

You can follow A Supertired Mom blog on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

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