No – cry sleep teaching.
No – cry sleep teaching. We have all heard of the cry it out method. It is true, though, and not every parent is willing or able to allow their baby to do just that. Cry it out. Even when frustration for Sophie occurred when Oliver wouldn’t sleep, it became heightened when Lily, her second child, also started waking more often at night. However, Sophie continued to refuse to let them cry. “I just won’t do it,” she says. “Lily’s cry means she needs me. Therefore, I have to get up and do what I need to do to satisfy her.”
So many would say it sounds like the only solution for Sophie left to do is wait for both children to grow into sleep patterns she will be able the stand? Right? Well, breaking news – NO, it does not have to be that way. There are popular sleep-training methods that are available which will help. Not only help but one that Sophie has said saved her sanity! These programs offer parents a no-cry gentle solution with sleep, which means no tears from either the parent or the baby! Fantastic news, right.
So who can help me with that?
Lisa Gargaro sleep co offers precisely that.
Holistic no-cry gentle sleep programs. All programs will be personalized to your family. You are following your ethos as parents and taking all family member’s personalities into account. Lisa Gargaro embraced the journey in getting sleep after the birth of her children, who all routinely woke to nurse numerous times a night. Writing after the birth of her fourth child, who slept no longer than 2 hours every night that “You will come to a point where if you don’t get sleep, that simply nothing else matters,” Lisa says.
What is so wrong with tears?
So let’s get the general thoughts on what is wrong with a child having few boohoos? We can address these in biological terms. Simply put, it doesn’t sit well with many mums. “We are wired to be unable to accept it when we hear a baby cry.” says Lisa, “Basically, your heart races. You want to rush to your child and comfort them and make them stop. For me, when parents are told to ignore this, we are fighting against every instinct that comes with it.” Not only this, but also when they are given a crying jag, it is most definitely not creating a great experience for either baby or parent. Who is learning whether they can or cannot count on receiving a response to their needs met?
What is needed then
Lisa can create a variety of techniques to change a baby’s sleep habits without there having to be a sobfest. “I can pretty much guarantee that there is not one single parent would deliberately choose to have their baby cry if there was another way for them to sleep without the tears.” Lisa declares.
The author developed her techniques, having worked with hundreds of families, all of whom would try her suggested methods on their little ones, maybe modify them to suit the 100% true, and then report back with support calls. The result is personalized step-by-step instructions to suit every family-style, along with charts for tracking progress. Additional support and guidance as required as the program progresses.
Not all sleep guides do and support your wishes to parent as you wish to parent. Lisa makes a point of recognizing there is a variety of styles of family and parenting. “There are lots of excellent ways to raise a child. Making every and all family different,” she points out. This is why Lisa recommends speaking to her directly to enable her to come up with a customized sleep plan.
Take note
Parents should also take note: Sometimes it is the adults. And not the baby, who may need to look at and rethink their sleep expectations, says Lisa. For example, it is simply fantastical to expect any newborn to sleep 10 hours straight, full stop.
Plus, these methods take both commitment and perseverance. These are not two words you wish to hear. Especially when you are expected to function with only four hours of shut-eye. They are hard to hear, I know! “You have to think & believe. OK, I’m going to give up some more sleep for the next week or two,” says Lisa. “but this will lead and create permanent changes that will still be in place a year from now. Making it so worth it.”
Every night, Sophie would spend more than an hour in that endless cycle of nursing, patting, and rocking six-month-old Lily to sleep. For her only to have Lily open her eyes suddenly at the slightest creak of those floorboards as Sophie was trying to escape the room. “It felt like it would go on forever,” recalls Sophie. After reading the sleep program Lisa Gargaro from Sleep Co had written for me & had our consultation call, we had created a plan of action and change. Every baby is different, but here’s how Lisa’s method played out in all families:
Bedtime routine
1.• Introduce a bath every night to wind down baby (and mom too).
2• Follow a set routine — PJ, brushing teeth (all two of them), bidding mum & dad good night, and nursing.
3• Use verbal reminders. Sophie said, “We’re going to bed now; time for bed.”
Sophie saw results within a few days. Lily stayed fast asleep when Mum managed to sneak out, with creaking floor and all. As well as upon awakening she in the night for her feed, Lily slipped start back to her deep sleep without a more fuss.
So let us ask, where is Lily now? She is now 2½ years old, and bedtime is no longer a struggle for Sophie. “Lily simply rolls over and says, ‘Good night, Mummy,’ and I leave. There are never any occasions of Lily getting back up after I’ve left her bedroom or calling for drinks of water,” says Sophie. “She’s phenomenal that way.”
Speaking to many parents
As I spoke with more parents, it became evident that the myth of a child outgrowing a sleeping issue was false. After Lisa Gargaro heard from parents struggling with sleeping problems with their kids who are no longer babies, it allowed Lisa the opportunity to create a sleep program for toddlers and preschoolers. “I know from my own experience both personally and professionally that any sleep issues that are there do not magically disappear simply because a child reaches one or two years old,” Lisa says.
This age group also brings new issues. There Is what we refer to as the yo-yo problem. This is when a crib graduate refuses to stay put in their new big-kid bed. This is in part accelerated by children this age, experiencing an increased energy level — mixed with the strong suspicion that Mum & Dad are downstairs partying without them! And then there are new anxieties, such as fear of separation or the dark, that can make it difficult for your sprout to settle down.
In the programs
As in her programs, Lisa speaks about the common sleep obstacles and exactly how to change these to positives. For this age, much of the focus is on good nutrition, healthy lifestyle behaviours & structured naps, and a comfortable sleep environment. What about the critical bedtime wind-down routine that we discussed as being so important for babies? This becomes even more critical for toddlers and preschoolers. “Children love and only thrive on routine,” says Lisa. “Children look for consistency in their days. By giving them this, It gives them security.”
What next from here then
Lisa can help with your little ones sleep, by offering you a 15 minute discovery call you can chat about how she works and what to expect when working with me. If you know you wish help and wish to start straight away after reading what I think then click here, select your age group and we can begin the journey towards a great night sleep for everyone.