Sleep training... yay or nay?

ACOOK

DD has been STTN since 10 weeks old. Recently I have tried to sleep train her and all it has done is make her scream at rest time, make me nuts and take away time with DD#1. Also it is causing her to want to go to bed earlier (was in bed at 9 now sleepy by 7:45) but wake up at 4 instead of 7. Prior to sleep training I would let her sleep how she wanted. She could sleep for 2+ hours in the middle of the afternoon and take a cat nap in the morning and early evening. Now I'm lucky if I get 2 hours total for the day. The only reason I am trying this is because I read somewhere that they should be taking a 1 hour nap, three times a day. Of course I don't remember how DD#1 slept so I can't even refer back to that. On top of that I would like to take the pacifier away before 6 months (only uses it at nap time) and with these nap issues I can't seem to get things under control.

Is anyone else just letting their LO's sleep "as needed" or is sleep training really that necessary?  

BrittanyDoesDerby

I'm a big believer in letting sleeping babies sleep and not worrying about a schedule if I don't have to. DD naps very well and STTN pretty much every night. I don't think that there really is a set nap schedule that every baby will fit into, because every baby is different. If I were you, I would just go back to following LO's cues. It seemed to working well for you and your daughter. Don't worry about what you read, especially is LO is doing well. A million different people have a million different views on what is "correct".

DCKate

She's pretty young for sleep training.  Let her sleep when she wants to sleep!

IncogNeato

If it aint broke...

I'm not opposed to sleep training if baby needs it to get more sleep but if they are STTN then why mess with it?

sschwege

I would leave it alone.  She will get it when she's ready!  If she's screaming then she's not there yet. 

mz07

I read something about similar nap schedule... 3-6 months should be taking three naps of 1-2 hours. However, in the same article/blog post, I also remember it saying that overall hours of sleep is probably more important. So if your LO is getting 3 naps of varied lengths but totally 3-6 hours, and STTN, I think you should go back to that.

EPQueen

Why mess with a good thing if your LO was already sleeping well? In my opinion, sleep training is really only necessary if you are having problems with sleep.

vettymama

I'm also confused why you tried to sleep train if she was sleeping well. I SAH and my LO takes a short nap in the morning, early evening, and a longer one in the afternoon. He usually sleeps about 3.5 to 4 hours for naps total. I would go back to just letting her sleep like she was before.

ForeverEverAfter

Nay, sounds like you did better before. I'd look at total sleep in 24h and if it works for your family. If both are good then don't change it! My LO has varying naps at varying times, but averages 3 naps with 15-16h total sleep/24h. If I had another child or worked I would aim for nap times, but following LOs cues works for us.

sbevmc09

I've let both little ones dictate their sleep and it works well for us.  I'm of the opinion that babies don't need to be taught how to sleep and they're going to have their own natural schedule.  If you want them to sleep like a textbook says they should then yes, in a lot of cases you're going to need to force it by sleep training.  I don't see the benefit of that though.  Seems a lot easier for everyone just to let them sleep how they need to. 

MrsT0514

IncogNeato:

If it aint broke...I'm not opposed to sleep training if baby needs it to get more sleep but if they are STTN then why mess with it?

I agree with this. Why are you sleep training if your LO has been STTN? I'm in the camp for ''if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it''.

ETA..as far as napping goes, try to remember that daytime sleep and nightime sleep are two different acquired skills. Many babies will start STTN before they get on a good nap schedule. I wouldn't stress the naps, eventually your LO will fall into a nap routine as well.

sbevmc09

MrsT0514:

IncogNeato:

If it aint broke...I'm not opposed to sleep training if baby needs it to get more sleep but if they are STTN then why mess with it?

I agree with this. Why are you sleep training if your LO has been STTN? I'm in the camp for ''if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it''. ETA..as far as napping goes, try to remember that daytime sleep and nightime sleep are two different acquired skills. Many babies will start STTN before they get on a good nap schedule. I wouldn't stress the naps, eventually your LO will fall into a nap routine as well.

So true!

I know with DS he was always a good night sleeper (relatively anyway), but naps were crap until he hit 6mo and then it was like it just clicked and he was a rockstar napper.  DD is a little better, but I suspect it will be similar and it will still be a bit before she's on a solid nap schedule.