"How Long Can We Go On Like This?"
A Message from Dr. Sarah
Your baby has changed so much these last few weeks. Maybe it feels like she just "woke up to the world" in the last week. Or you may be finding that you're continuing to struggle with a baby who only sleep in arms, continues to wake up in the night or takes short naps.
You're ready to do things differently. Here's what you need to know.
The Challenge of the 3rd Month:
"The Holding Period"
A Little Too Late and a Little Too Early
The challenge of the 3rd month, which I call "The Holding Period" is that it can sometimes be a little too late to work on gentle newborn sleep shaping which is best done in months 1 and 2, and yet it's a little too early to work on independent sleep skill aka self soothing skills.
Sleep is a learned habit. The way your baby sleeps was imprinted around 4 to 10 weeks of age. Now it's a habit and how easy that can be to change at this age is related to temperament and how long the habits existed.
However, it's a little too early to work on "sleep teaching" and independent sleep skills. The ability for your baby to be put down completely awake and relax into sleep without a pacifier, being fed, rocked or bounced.
What's a gal to do?
Work on the Helping Babies Sleep Newborn Tactics NOW to improve your daily sleep and then Work on Sleep after 4 Months to SOLVE all your sleep challenges.
Criteria Needed to Work On Independent Sleep
aka self soothing skills at 4 months
- Have Hit the 4 month Sleep Regression
- The Startle Reflex has Diminshing
- Your Baby is Gaining Hand Control
You want to have hit the 4 Month Sleep Regression. It is not best to start working on sleep skills in before this neurological leap happens. It's just too hard. The 4 month sleep regression can start anytime between 3.5 and 4.5 months. It's related to object permanence. They learn that you exist even though they can't see you and call for you more. You typically see more night waking and shorter naps. However "regression" is an inaccurate term since for most people sleep doesn't go back to "normal" after this period.
The Startle Reflex is diminishing. If the reflex is still strong she will jerk herself awake and you won't make progress with independent sleep. Swaddling helps minimize this reflex but for self soothing skills your child needs to be unswaddled.
Your baby needs her hands to learn how to self soothe. You want an increase in Hand Control to be happening.
What Can a Parent Do in the 3 Month Period?
Implement the Helping Newborn Sleep Class Strategies to IMPROVE Sleep.
After 4 Months Implement the Helping Babies Sleep Class Strategies to SOLVE your Baby's Sleep
Get Both the Newborn and Babies Classes For the Price of 1 With Your Online Class and Group Coaching Monthly Membership
$179 First Month
$47 Subsequent Months
$179 First MonthReady To Get More Sleep &
A Healthier, Happier Baby?
Dr. Sarah Makes It Simple!
✓ Step 1
Watch Quick, Easy to Follow Video Lessons anytime, anywhere!
Watch at your own pace.
✓ Step 2
Join our Private Facebook Group and ask the expert questions about YOUR baby.
Relish the feeling of feeling support and reasured on your parenting journey.
✓ Step 3
ENJOY the feeling of being well rested.
Feel Confident and Proud Or Your Baby and Yourself!
Michelle's Story Getting her 10 Week Old
To Sleep Using Helping Babies Sleep School
More From Happy Parents:
Sarah B
Before the course I was feeling frustrated with daytime napping. We knew that our daughter was soother dependent and using this as a sleep crutch. The biggest achievement we have is that our daughter is able to self-soothe herself to sleep. She no longer is dependent on the soother! We are napping regularly and consistently. We are extremely happy with how much sleep she, and the rest of the household, is getting.
-Daughter 4 Months
Happier Babies
Sleep is essential for child development and creates happy, loving & joyous babies!
Be More Loving & Present
Become relaxed and confident as you create healthy routines
LACTATION CONSULTANT APPROVED
Sara Boudrie, HotMilkBreastfeeding.
Sara Boudrie is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Registered Nurse. Since 2011 she’s empowered women to have a rewarding, efficient breastfeeding journey with their babies through her meticulous assessments and trouble shooting skills.
SLEEP EXPERT
APPROVED
Dr. Sarah Mitchell, BKin DC Helping Babies Sleep
Dr. Sarah Mitchell is a s a sought after sleep consultant in silicon valley where she works with busy executive parents in her high touch private sleep coaching. She’s the author of the book, The Helping Babies Sleep Method; The Art and Science of Teaching Your Baby to Sleep. Since 2013 she’s helped thousands of parents be loving, attached and well-rested. A Canadian girl at heart, she currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, son and daughter.
MIDWIFE
APPROVED
Clinical Director & Midwife
Firen Jones is a licensed midwife, director and founder of the Nightingale Birthing Center in San Mateo, CA.
