Let's talk about sleep conditioning (AKA sleep shaping)!

Have you ever heard about it? It is a sleep method that can be established from birth. Sleep conditioning involves creating the right environment, routine and healthy sleep habits for your newborn. We will also work on reducing and eliminating overnight feedings as it is developmentally appropriate. We can usually accomplish this by 10-12 weeks! Just imagine your sweet baby sleeping through the night by 10-12 weeks. It IS possible! 



Is sleep conditioning the same as the Cry-it-Out Method? 

Not at all. The Cry-it-Out, or Extinction Method means that your baby is left to cry on their own, with no intervention, no matter how long they cry. Cry-it-Out is never appropriate for a newborn, and should only be used as a last resort for older babies. Sleep conditioning includes being responsive and attentive to your baby's needs, while gently teaching them how to fall asleep independently, and eliminate overnight feedings on their own. 

Why should we sleep condition our newborn? 

Sleep is a crucial component of your baby's physical, emotional and cognitive development. It is when babies recharge. Babies who are sleep deprived will have trouble falling asleep and connecting sleep cycles. While their minds and bodies are exhausted, they are also wired, which will make it harder for them to relax and drift off to sleep. When babies do not learn early on how to fall asleep independently, it creates havoc in your home, and makes the 4th trimester more stressful than it needs to be. If no sleep conditioning is done from the beginning, your baby will need to be sleep trained later on as we will need to work on breaking the sleep crutches that have already been established. 

What are sleep crutches? 

Sleep crutches — or, sleep associations — are things that your baby requires in order to fall asleep. Breastfeeding, rocking, bouncing, back patting, car rides, stroller walks, baby swings, pacifiers and white noise are sleep crutches. Breastfeeding babies to sleep is very common

with exhausted new moms, but babies become dependent on it to sleep, and they can not learn how to fall asleep without it. Your baby will also require it in order to go back to sleep when they wake up between sleep cycles. It will become very disruptive to your baby's sleep, as well as your own. 

How does it work? 

Throughout our time working with each other, we will figure out your baby mystery together! We will learn your baby's individual sleep needs, and soothing preferences. Your baby will learn how to connect sleep cycles, and put themselves to sleep in their own safe sleep space. 

Can we sleep condition for naps, or is it just for bedtime and overnight? 

Absolutely! The days set the tone for the nights. We will develop a great daytime and nap routine that will be easy for your family to manage. It will make life with your newborn so much easier than you ever thought possible.