Why it’s SO important to put your baby down awake!
When it comes to establishing healthy sleep habits for your baby, one of the most significant practices you an adopt is putting your baby down awake. Now you may have heard the term “drowsy and awake”- but here’s why you put them down, fully awake.
My theory on this topic is the cornerstone to effective sleep training, and can lead to better sleep for both your baby and the entire family.
Why?
Now there’s no specific rules to this, because I love a good contact nap as much as any mom! But please take into consideration, that my suggestions are for parents who’s sleep circumstances are no longer working, and they are seeking ways to get their child to sleep with more independence. Here’s why it’s necessary to practice putting them down awake, when you are ready to to teach them some independent sleep skills.
Encourages self soothing skills: Putting your baby down awake helps them develop the ability to self soothe. And while in early infancy, before 12 weeks, they don’t necessarily possess this skill, it does not hurt to practice in short increments from the newborn stage. This gets them used to their bassinet or crib, and sets the foundation for them to become comfortable in their own sleep space. You can do this in a hands-on way, shushing and patting baby while they try to soothe themselves.
My Soothing Staircase Guide is a series of progressively soothing actions designed to gently help your baby calm down and fall asleep independently, advancing to the next step if the previous one does not work after a 2 minute increment. If baby is still crying, but it is lessening, then you do not need to move to the next stair level. It was developed for practicing these skills in early infancy.
The key to my Soothing Staircase Guide, is that you are guiding them through their discomfort, as opposed to putting immense pressure on yourself to stop the tears. You can practice this for 20 minute increments, and if it is not working, you can assist your baby to sleep as needed. Then try again next time! Babies who learn to fall asleep without being rocked, nursed, or cuddled to sleep are more likely to soothe themselves back to sleep when they wake up during the night. This can promote longer uninterrupted sleep. If you’re looking for 1:1 support, feel free to DM me any questions or book a FREE discovery call!
2. Reduces the dependence on sleep aids: When babies are put down drowsy, or even asleep, they often rely on external aids such as rocking, feeding or pacifiers to fall asleep. While these methods can be effective in the short term, they can create dependencies that make it harder for the baby to fall back asleep independently when they wake up. You can practice methods including “check and console” which involves placing your little one down and letting them practice without the above listed sleep aids, for a predetermined increment of time. If your little one is still terribly upset after the full duration, then go in and do a check. If at any point your little one stops or slows their crying, you can re-set the timer and begin letting them try again. By putting them down awake, you are helping them learn to fall asleep without these crutches.
3. Promotes consistent sleep patterns: I always preach that consistency is KEY when it comes to sleep training. Putting your baby down awake at the same time each night helps you establish a reliable bedtime routine. The predictability helps to regulate your little one’s internal clock, which leads to more regular sleep patterns and improved overall sleep quality.
4. Builds confidence and security: Imagine falling asleep in one location and waking up in a completely different spot then you remembered. That’s exactly what happens when your baby falls asleep in your arms and wakes up in their bassinet. It’s startling, and can be anxiety provoking for them! When babies are put down awake in their sleep space, although they may protest, because it is not their preferred method of falling asleep, with practice, it leads to confidence and a greater sense of security. They will soon be comfortable with the skill and may babble and talk before falling asleep and when waking up, indicating they are much more relaxed. It makes bedtime and naps a much more pleasant experience once they have gained this skill. This newfound sense of confidence can extend to beyond just sleep, fostering a sense of independence and desire for exploration in other areas of their development.
5. Minimizes night wakings: Babies who are used to being put down drowsy or asleep often experience more frequent night waking because they rely on the same exact conditions to fall back asleep. Babies, like adults, go through multiple sleep cycles each night transitioning between phases of light and deep sleep. During light sleep, they may wake up briefly but often drift back to sleep without fully waking if they can self-soothe. However, some will wake fully and cry for comfort or assistance to fall back asleep, much like adults who sometimes wake and easily go back to sleep, while other times they remain awake staring at the ceiling.
Tips for Putting Your Baby Down Awake
Establish a calming routine.
Set consistent bedtime and nap times.
Create an environment conducive to sleep.
Be patient, consistent & give yourself some grace!
To Conclude
Putting your baby down awake is an essential practice for developing healthy sleep habits, It encourages self soothing, reduces dependence on sleep aids, promotes consistent sleep patterns, builds confidence and minimizes night wakings. While it does require quite a bit of patience and consistency, the long term benefits for both you and your baby are well worth the effort!
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your pediatrician or a healthcare professional for medical concerns.
By: Dr. Laura Daniels PT, DPT, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant
Concerns about your child’s sleep? Feel free to book a FREE discovery call
