Being a parent in the comes with its own set of challenges, and getting your child to sleep through the night can be one of them. Sleep training can be a helpful tool for many parents looking to establish healthy sleep habits for their child. However, it can be difficult to know when the right time to start sleep training is. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at when might be the right time to start sleep training.
The National Health Service (NHS) recommends that parents start sleep training when their child is around 6 months old. At this age, most babies developmentally begin to show signs of being ready to learn how to self-settle and fall asleep on their own. Additionally, by 6 months, many babies are able to have much longer stretches of sleep without waking for a feed, which can make sleep training more effective.
It's important to note that every child is different, and there may be exceptions to this guideline. If your child has any health issues or developmental delays, it may not be the right time to start sleep training. In these cases, it's best to consult with your GP and/or a sleep consultant to determine the best course of action.
Another important factor to consider is your child's temperament. Some children may be more resistant and sensitive to sleep training than others. In these cases, it may take longer for your child to learn to sleep through the night. It's important to be patient and consistent with your efforts.
When you decide to start sleep training, it's essential to choose a method that is appropriate for your child's age and temperament. There are several different sleep training methods available, and it's important to choose a method that you feel comfortable with and that you believe will work best for your child.
So while the NHS recommends that UK parents start sleep training when their child is around 6 months old. It's important to remember that every child is different and it may take longer for some children to learn to sleep through the night. Remember to choose a sleep training method that you feel comfortable with and be patient with your child during the process.