![]() In fact, you can start any of these from the day you bring baby home. There are some things I strongly recommend you do before starting sleep training. Short cycles or "EWSWS" cycles may be necessary if baby takes short naps, which is often the case before 6-8 months.Always feed baby when he is hungry! This cycle is simply a guide to help you structure baby's day, NOT a hard fast rule that requires you starve your baby this is especially true during growth spurts and illness.The cycles will naturally turn into a loose schedule once baby is sleeping more predictable lengths of time (typically by the time they are napping twice a day). Structure does not always equate to schedule, especially in the early months.Isn't over-tired or under-tired at bedtime.Doesn't rely on nursing or bottle feeding to fall asleep.Getting enough (but not too much) day time sleep.Baby has the best chances of sleeping through the night (STTN) as early as possible because:.Caregivers enjoy predictability and insight into baby's needs.Baby knows what comes next and is ideally never overtired, undertired, or hungry.Babies and caregivers alike THRIVE on a routine:.Baby isn't under- or over-tired at bedtime, better enabling him to put himself to sleep. ![]() Baby doesn't depend on a full belly to fall asleep.Baby doesn't depend on nursing/bottle to fall asleep.Baby less likely to require calories during the night.Feeds less likely to be cut short due to baby falling asleep while drinking milk.Full feeds every 2-4 hours (based on cycle length), therefore sufficient daytime calories.SLEEP: Baby then goes down for a nap each nap is limited to an age-appropriate length (usually 1.5-3 hours), with an age-appropriate amount of TOTAL daytime sleep.WAKE: Baby spends an age-appropriate amount of "wake time" expending energy.EAT: Baby drinks milk immediately upon waking, when well rested.The cycle is usually 2.5-4 hours (naturally lengthening as baby gets older):.Some people think babies are capable of sleeping 10-12 hours at 12 weeks, while it is almost universally accepted that all babies are capable of sleeping 10-12 hours at 6 monthsÄISCLAIMER: These concepts only apply to babies without any major medical problems (failure to thrive, colic, reflux, heart conditions, etc).It is at this point that teaching baby to fall asleep on their own becomes essential. ![]() ![]() If a baby falls asleep independently at bedtime, he is more likely to be able to put himself back to sleep in between cycles. During this time, their sleep cycles consolidate into 2-hour intervals and wake in between each.
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