The Cry Me a River Method
Cry Me a River involves averting and eliminating behavior by not responding to it. There will be a lot of crying for up to three nights and it will require gladiator-level patience, but after this time the crying will subside until they will eventually sleep through the night.
It is crucial that you follow this approach consistently for two weeks so that your baby really understands the routine. Also remember that babies cry because it is their form of protest. If someone changed your daily routine, you would protest too, at least for a while!
The check-in and comfort method
This involves checking on your bub but making sure you don’t feed or rock him. This prevents them from falling asleep on their own. Once in the crib, leave your baby alone for a preset amount of time and then return with some soothing actions, such as a soothing whisper, a pat or a gentle touch. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t pick up your baby during this time (and I know that may seem impossible!). You continue to arrive and depart at fixed times, but the number of check-ins decreases and the time between these check-ins increases – day after day. Keep in mind that some parents find that entering the room can rile up their bub, so some opt for a more hard-hitting style, like the one in Cry Me a River.
The 8 Nights of the Chair Method
This method is very gradual and requires a strict approach from the parents. The difference with this method compared to the previous one is that instead of leaving the room, you sit on a chair next to the crib once your baby has fallen asleep. Then you wait until your little one falls asleep and then that’s your cue to go out! Now, the hardest part: every time your baby cries, come back, sit in the chair and wait for him to go back to sleep. Every few nights your seat is moved further and further away from the crib until you are no longer in their room.
The best thing about this method is that mom and/or dad can stay with their baby and be together. The hard part is that not only will you see them crying, but they will also see you looking, which can be heartbreaking at first. For this reason, it can be challenging to stay consistent, but it is certainly doable and becomes easier as time goes by.
The Up, Down and Pat Method
This one is suitable for younger babies (under 4 months) and is more of a happy medium between the babies discussed above. With this method, you let your bub feel the discomfort and cry for a short time, and before it gets worse, you can give him support. This action may include picking up your baby, massaging the back, or singing a lullaby. Once they have calmed down, you can leave once they have fallen asleep and go back to bed! The reason this technique is suitable for younger children is because as they get older, your presence may draw too much attention to them, making it more difficult for them to fall asleep on their own.
The sleep routine fade-out method
This method is also great to use in combination with any of the other techniques mentioned. Basically, you continue with your chosen method that works for you and then start to minimize the amount of time you spend on it. Ultimately, you have reduced your actions so much that no more action is required and your baby sleeps independently! An important advantage of this technique is that crying is significantly reduced. A common problem I hear from parents with this method is that it is difficult to maintain. Each child needs a different amount of time to fade out until they no longer need the technique. This can be taxing and requires patience, but it is worth it. The fade-out allows for a more natural transition to independent sleep and good sleep habits, while you work with other methods that are right for you and your family.
The Fade-Out Method Before Bedtime
The Hour of Bedtime Fade-Out starts with you putting your little one to bed around the time he or she usually falls asleep. You write down the time you put them in their crib and make this their bedtime for the next 2 – 3 nights. Then as time goes on, put them to bed a little earlier, and they will cry and fuss a little until they reach their natural snooze time. For example, if your bub normally sleeps at 7:50 PM and you put him in his crib at 7:30 PM, he will start to smell for about twenty minutes until he reaches his inner bedtime. You continue to advance their bedtime until they fall asleep naturally at the desired time.