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Self soothing – our top 12 articles
1. Self soothing – let’s chat
https://babysleepconsultant.
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In the 1960s, Dr. Thomas Anders studied infant sleep patterns and discovered that all babies wake several times a night, but some naturally self-soothe back to sleep while others cry for help. His research showed that self-soothing is a learned skill, often linked to being put to bed awake. Babies who practice self-soothing can settle independently when they wake during the night, leading to longer, more restful sleep. While Western culture places great emphasis on this milestone due to busy lifestyles, encouraging self-soothing can be a gentle, gradual process tailored to each family’s needs. Ultimately, every child will develop these skills at some point in time, and parents should feel confident in their approach to night-time parenting.
2. The right self soothing strategy
https://babysleepconsultant.
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When sleep training doesn’t feel right, there are gentle alternatives. Sally, a sleep-deprived Mum, struggled when controlled crying didn’t work for her baby, Ingrid. After months of broken sleep and failed attempts at "cry it out," she reached out for help. Through a gentle sleep training approach, which involved gradual adjustments, emotional support, and hands-on soothing, Ingrid learned to self-settle without distress. Within a week, Ingrid’s sleep improved, and Sally felt more confident in her approach. The key takeaway? Sleep training isn’t just about letting babies cry—it’s about understanding their sleep needs, making gradual changes, and finding a method that aligns with your parenting style.
3. Self soothing checklist
https://babysleepconsultant.
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Self-soothing is the key to longer naps, better nighttime sleep, and fewer wake-ups, making it a crucial skill for babies to develop. While self-soothing abilities begin as early as two months, active sleep training is most effective between 4-6 months, with factors like a healthy sleep environment, age-appropriate wake windows, and a calming bedtime routine playing essential roles. By teaching self-soothing gradually and ensuring all sleep foundations are in place, parents can support their baby’s ability to sleep longer and more independently.
4. Is your dummy stopping your baby from self soothing?
https://babysleepconsultant.
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Self-soothing is the ability for a baby to transition from awake to asleep without external assistance, such as a dummy. While dummies can be effective for newborns, they often become a sleep dependency, leading to frequent wake-ups when babies can’t replace them independently. Parents hoping to teach self-soothing should consider removing the dummy or waiting until their baby is 7-8 months old and able to find and replace it themselves. If frequent dummy runs, short naps, and night wakings are causing frustration, transitioning to self-soothing strategies may help create more consistent and restful sleep. Every baby is different, and finding the right approach depends on their age, temperament, and family preferences.
5. What’s the best time to teach self soothing?
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Self-soothing is a learned skill that helps babies sleep independently, but the best time to teach it varies by age. While newborns (0-12 weeks) aren’t developmentally ready, gentle sleep habits can be introduced. Between 3-5 months, babies may start showing signs of self-soothing, but still require hands-on support. The ideal "sweet spot" for teaching self-soothing is 5-7 months, as babies are developmentally ready and less resistant to change. After 8 months, increasing mobility, stubbornness, and cause-and-effect awareness make the process more challenging, though still possible. For toddlers (12-24 months), teaching self-soothing requires consistency and personalized strategies to avoid reinforcing negative sleep habits. While earlier is generally easier, the best time to teach self-soothing is ultimately when parents feel ready to commit to the process.
6. Setting Olive up with the skill of self soothing
https://babysleepconsultant.
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After months of sleepless nights and an exhausted household, Serlina sought help from a sleep consultant to improve her eight-month-old daughter Olive’s sleep. Despite trying various soothing techniques, Olive continued to wake frequently at night and struggle to settle back to sleep. Through a guided sleep plan with consultant Narisha, they introduced a structured bedtime routine and a controlled crying approach. While the initial nights were tough, by the third night, Olive slept nine hours straight and began resettling independently. As her nighttime sleep improved, daytime routines also became more structured, leading to better naps and a well-rested family. Four months later, Olive is thriving, and Serlina now advocates for sleep training, recognizing the profound impact of quality sleep on both baby and parents.
7. The art of self soothing: Baby Carter just needed a little space
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Struggling with sleep deprivation and postnatal depression, first-time mum Helena sought help from baby sleep consultant Chelle to improve her five-month-old son Carter’s erratic sleep patterns. With Carter waking frequently and needing to be held to sleep, Helena opted for the spaced soothing method, despite initial challenges. With Chelle’s support, she implemented a structured sleep routine, eliminated the dummy, and adjusted Carter’s nap schedule based on age-appropriate awake times. Within days, Carter’s sleep significantly improved, leading to longer stretches at night and more predictable naps. Now at 13 months, Carter sleeps well, self-soothes when needed, and Helena enjoys a newfound balance between structure and flexibility—proving that the right sleep approach can transform the entire family’s well-being.
8. Nuturing serenity: The ultimate guide to self soothing techniques for calm and content babies
https://babysleepconsultant.
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Establishing healthy sleep patterns is a crucial milestone in infant development, with self-soothing playing a key role in achieving longer, uninterrupted sleep. Research highlights that while night waking's remain consistent from 3 to 12 months, babies who self-settle experience significantly longer sleep periods. Factors like minimal nighttime interaction, independent settling at bedtime, and a predictable routine contribute to improved sleep quality. Studies confirm that placing babies in their cots awake fosters self-soothing, leading to better overall sleep. By focusing on bedtime routines and self-settling strategies, parents can help their babies develop independent sleep skills, resulting in more restful nights for the whole family.
9. How to quit rocking to sleep: Teaching babies to self soothe
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Rocking your baby to sleep is a comforting habit, but over time, it can become exhausting and unsustainable. Teaching self-soothing helps babies sleep longer and more independently, reducing frequent night wake-ups and giving parents much-needed rest. Rocking works by mimicking the womb’s movement and activating the calming parasympathetic nervous system, but it can create a dependency that makes sleep disruptions harder to manage. Transitioning to self-soothing involves a consistent bedtime routine, gradual reduction of rocking, and introducing alternative soothing techniques. My online programs provide step-by-step guidance to help parents make this shift smoothly, ensuring better sleep for the entire family.
10. If babies weren’t supposed to self soothe and sleep through, they wouldn’t
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Night waking's are a normal part of sleep cycles, but frequent, prolonged wake-ups can lead to disrupted, non-restorative sleep for both babies and parents. Sleep training doesn’t eliminate natural sleep cycles—it helps babies learn to self-soothe and settle back to sleep independently. By working with their circadian rhythm, establishing consistent routines, and creating positive sleep associations, we can minimize unnecessary wake-ups and promote deeper, more restful sleep. Teaching self-soothing isn’t about ignoring a baby’s needs—it’s about giving them the skills to get the sleep they require while easing the burden on parents.
11. Freya finally learns to self soothe with a gentle no cry approach
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At six months old, Freya was experiencing frequent night waking's, short naps, and a dummy and feed-to-sleep association. By implementing a structured yet flexible routine, adjusting her bottle schedule, and gently teaching her to self-soothe, her sleep and feeding habits improved. Blacking out her room and introducing white noise helped extend her naps, while gradually reducing her dummy reliance and night feeds encouraged better sleep consolidation. With added focus on rolling practice, a safe sleep setup, and a strategic approach to solids, Freya adapted well, moving towards longer, more restful sleep and improved daytime feeding.
12. Empower your parenting: How to teach your baby to self soothe
https://babysleepconsultant.
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Teaching your baby to self-soothe is a key step in improving sleep but can come with temporary disruptions before things get better. While night sleep training often leads to immediate improvements, daytime naps can become inconsistent as your baby adjusts to new sleep patterns. Some babies may resist naps initially, but maintaining consistency is crucial. The “worse before better” phase is a natural part of sleep training, requiring patience and a steady routine. With the right approach, your baby will develop independent sleep habits, leading to longer, more restful sleep. Ready to start? Our online programs provide step-by-step guidance tailored to your family’s needs.
