As a parent, I’ve encountered my fair share of sleep struggles. In fact, if I were to write a book on the subject, it might be titled “How to Guarantee Your Children Become the Worst Sleepers Ever.” A surefire bestseller, right?
Recently, I stumbled upon a guest post from a fellow blogger who shared her own approach to getting her kids to sleep. She believes in avoiding the “cry it out” method, opting instead to keep her little ones close until they are 15 to 18 months old before gently transitioning them to share a room with a sibling. This method works wonders for her family, and that’s what truly counts in parenting—finding what suits your own family’s needs.
However, I admit there are indeed missteps in the realm of sleep, and I seem to have taken all of them. For those parents out there who are wrestling with sleep issues, I’d like to outline exactly what I did wrong so you can consciously choose the opposite path.
1. Encourage Newborns to Sleep on You
In my misguided attempt to bond with my baby Bella, I made her sleep on top of me for comfort. This resulted in a child who couldn’t fall asleep unless she was physically on me, a habit that took ages to break.
2. Never Let Them Cry
Despite my intentions, I struggled to let my children cry it out. I was always quick to rush in at the slightest whimper, effectively disrupting their sleep cycles.
3. Avoid a Sleep Routine
I used to think it was restrictive to adhere to a strict sleep schedule, so I encouraged flexibility instead. My children turned out to be flexible, that is, until bedtime rolled around and chaos ensued.
4. Fall Asleep Alongside Them
My son Max sleeps soundly in his own room, but only if I’m squeezed into his twin bed beside him.
5. Embrace Accidental Co-Sleeping
Due to sheer laziness, I often allowed my kids to join me in bed at night, a habit that has now solidified into an unbreakable routine.
6. Condition Them to Sleep in the Car
I made the mistake of letting my kids fall asleep in the car, leading them to prefer that environment over their own beds.
7. Have No Sleep Strategy
I’ve always been a spontaneous parent, but sleep requires a plan. There’s a wealth of literature on effective sleep strategies for a reason—I wish I had taken the time to read one.
By sharing these missteps, I hope to guide you toward many peaceful nights ahead for you and your children, unlike my own experiences. If you’re interested in more insights, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. Additionally, you might find valuable information on couples’ fertility journeys with intracervical insemination. For further engagement, consider exploring our other blog posts on terms and conditions.
In summary, ensuring your children become poor sleepers is easy if you follow my lead. Avoid bonding through co-sleeping, ignore the importance of routines, and never let them learn to self-soothe.