Breaking sleep cycles is a challenge in any parent’s life. The good news is, Baby sleep consultant, Maryanne Sayers has some great advice to not only break the cycles but to help Dad feel more involved at bedtime.
Key call outs of Maryanne's sound advice.
Cycles start which means they can finish.
Changing up the processes will help you to break the ritual, but first you need to get your foundations right. Both you and your partner need to be united on this and show complete consistency.
Shorten the ritual
If you have found yourself in a place where you feel like you have to lay and pat your child to sleep, the first part to changing the ritual is to shorten it. Start by laying and patting for less time. Move on to sitting and patting, just sitting and eventually the ritual will be pared back far enough to engage stage two of the plan.
This is a process
Cycles like this can’t be solved in a moment. This is a process that will take place over a few weeks. Keep the frustrations low but set a goal of 2 - 3 weeks and then set to work. Don't expect miracles in a moment.
Keep it early!
Late bedtimes make for harder routines. Setting up a solid foundation is key. Appropriate bedtimes for a 3-year-old should be around 6:30pm – 7:30pm. Anything over that and you’re battling overtiredness above everything else.
Get your environment right
Make the room dark and cosy. No noise, no light, no machines, low stimulation – Keep It Simple!
Once the process has changed, introduce stage two!
Now one partner’s intervention has been lessened, introduce parent number 2 into the picture. It’s imperative that this is implemented only after parent one has lessened their involvement.
Care for Kids is excited to welcome Maryanne to our panel of experts, offering parents across Australia baby and toddler sleep solutions in and out of the childcare space.
To find out more about Maryanne, see her product offering on her website or follow her on Facebook or Instagram
