Sally Tang (https://www.instagram.com/sallyytang/) is a first time mommy to a beautiful baby girl, Bella Rose. As a remotely working mom, Sally had to make sure she had enough sleep and find the balance between being 'Manja' to her baby girl and training her to be independent.
Through experience and learning her child's preferences and habits, she curated a routine and successfully sleep-trained her daughter at an astonishing 6 months! This has tremendously helped Sally with her day to day activities. After so many DM's and questions on how she did it, she has finally revealed her most effective tips and tricks on how she did it in less than 2 weeks!
Sally's Sleep Training Tips
1. Always make sure baby is well fed before bedtime or naps.
2. Put baby down drowsy not asleep.
3. Swaddling is very helpful to support longer sleeping period and helps baby feel safe and secure.
4. Use a white noise machine, static sound works best for my baby, but try what works best for yours.
(you can get a simple white noise machine on Shopee) https://shopee.com.my/product/36500437/10131639278?smtt=0.158986944-1665927792.9. This is the one I have.
5. Research about baby sleeping phases (active sleep, deep sleep, etc)
6. Research about growth spurts and wonder weeks. Also watch out for teething they usually could cause sleep regressions.
7. Research sleep regression and causes.
8. Research wake windows (each age a baby goes through have different wake windows and also number of naps).
9. Try establishing a bedtime routine. (mine was warm bath , feeding , and some quiet time before bed)
10. Try putting baby to bed the same time every bedtime ( mine is 8:30pm/9pm) before 1 years old bed time was at 7:30/8pm.
11. Research gentle sleep training methods.
12. It can take up to 2-4 weeks of consistent routine before baby will show signs of good sleeping patterns ( most babies catch up by 2nd weeks )
13. Drop night feedings according to age.
14. Expect some crying when you first put them down , allow them to cry for about 5 mins before checking on them .
15. I recommend during sleep training to put them down in their crib and leave the room, allow them to self soothe if your baby takes a pacifier then allow them to use it to self soothe . Only enter to check on them after 5 mins for the first time and do not stay in the room for more than 1 minute, leave and if they cry after the first check in, wait 10 mins before entering the room again and additional 5 mins each time before checking in . Example (5, 10, 15, 20 mins etc)
16. I recommend recording down their sleeping duration and wake windows during the first start of sleep training (don’t let baby sleep more than they should or it will interrupt with their sleeping patterns) excepts during illnesses.
17. During sleep regressions I advise to stick to your routine to prevent your sleep training from being disrupted. (babies thrive when they have a routine)
18. Follow your instincts, you know what’s best for your baby.
19. Get a baby monitor, helps you keep track with their sleeping windows.
20. Expose baby to natural sunlight during the day. Evening walks works wonders, during nap times try making their room as dark as possible (I recommend getting black out curtains)
21. Best sleeping environment is a Dark and cool room.
22. My routine is turn on sound machine --> close the curtains --> put her into a sleep sack (once baby starts to roll over use a sleep sack, swaddle for newborns (try to get the Love to Dream swaddle, super convenient and it keeps baby in a natural sleeping position and allows them to self soothe).
23. Always keep crib or bassinet bare, do not leave toys or blankets or pillows as it increases the risk of SIDS
24. Research SIDS !! SUPER IMPORTANT !!
25. it will be challenging for the first few days or weeks as baby gets accustomed to the routine and training. Crying is normal and it might be hard for you to leave them crying but trust me it will pay off and they’ll be able to self soothe which is an important skill for them.
26. Research dream feeding.
27. Babies sleep better in an environment with some noises hence the use of sound machine, silence is not normal for them as they’ve gotten used to the loud noises in the womb and it’s soothing for them.
28. Adjust sleep training to your liking and what suits you and baby .
29. I recommend starting sleep training at 6 months up but you could start early with gentle sleep training.
30. Consistency is key.
We hope Sally's tips will provide some insight and give you an idea on your next move during this process. It will take time, and it will be difficult as it is a big change for both baby & mama. But remember that if you trust the process and follow these tips religiously, all your effort will pay off big-time for sure. And remember, you're the best mama for your little one and everything you do for them is exactly what they need❤️
Author : Sally Tang