4MOMS GoodNight User Manual - page 10
When you put your child to bed using the new sleep associations, it is likely that he
or she will shed some tears. This is a challenging time for you as a parent, because
you know what sleep associations will settle your baby down to sleep and nobody
wants to see their child frustrated and unhappy. Take heart!
• The GoodNight Sleep method does work. Within 10 days, nearly all parents
report that their child is sleeping through the night. Most parents report
significant improvements in just 3‐4 days.
• This is good for your child. Once your child masters the skill of falling asleep on
her own, she will sleep better which has been linked to many health and
cognitive benefits. Also, you waking up several times during the night isn’t any
better for your baby than it is for you—you will be a better parent when you are
not exhausted and cranky.
• Many other parents have gone through this process and are cheering for you and
your baby.
3.2 Tips to make your use of the GoodNight Sleep Trainer more successful
•
Develop a loving bedtime routine. A bedtime routine is like a sleep association
in that it conditions your baby to be ready to go to sleep. Develop a routine
that works for you and your baby. Some suggestions include taking a warm
bath, reading books together, brushing teeth, and playing soft music. Avoid
television or stimulating activities such as roughhousing. Pick a start time for
your routine and try to stick to it making this time peaceful and calming for
you and your baby.
•
Maintain a regular daytime schedule. Keeping a predictable schedule for
feeding, naptimes, and activities during the day (on both weekdays and
weekends) helps your baby to set his or her internal clock which will make
going to sleep at night easier.
•
Follow your baby’s lead and put your child to sleep when he or she is tired. If
you try to put your child to bed while he is still wide awake, he won’t be able
to settle down to sleep and will associate the crib with being awake. On the
other hand, if you ignore your child’s cues that it’s time for bed, your child
will get a “second wind” even though he would benefit from an earlier
bedtime.
3.3
Track your progress
Use the GoodNight Sleep Trainer to keep track of what time your child goes to bed,
gets up in the morning, naps, and any nighttime awakenings. Simply press “Down to
Sleep” whenever your child falls asleep and “Up to Play” when your child wakes up.
The GoodNight Sleep Trainer logs all the data. With a computer, a USB cable, and an
internet connection, you can use our website to view your child’s data over time,
spot trends, and compare your child’s data to national averages. You can also trade
advice with other parents or request help.