Crying and Sleep Training: The Elephant in the Room
/When talking to parents about the sleep training process, the elephant in the room is always crying. Parents understandably want to know how much crying there will be, how long it’s ok to let their baby cry, if it’s possible to sleep train without crying, and a whole host of other questions all about crying.
When most parents hear the term "sleep training," one of the first things that come to mind is the "cry it out" method. It's a term that brings up images of babies left to cry alone all night, feeling abandoned and upset, while parents watch helplessly. This misconception often leads to guilt, anxiety, and hesitation when it comes to sleep training.
At Detroit Dreams Tonight, we understand these concerns and want to clarify that sleep training does not have to involve long, distressing periods of crying. While there may be some crying as part of the learning process, our focus is on creating a consistent, structured plan that helps your baby learn to sleep independently as quickly as possible, while minimizing unnecessary crying. When working with families we are constantly observing and making recommendations to reduce crying and even if crying occurs we’re there to assist your baby in making the sleep connections with as few of tears as possible.
The Fear of "Cry It Out"
Many parents shy away from sleep training because they associate it with the extinction method of sleep training, which can be emotionally difficult for both the baby and the parents. The idea of leaving a baby to cry and never returning to the room, never comforting them, and never helping them is simply not the approach we take at Detroit Dreams Tonight.
Our approach to sleep training is designed to be effective and efficient, not harsh. The primary goal is to help your baby develop healthy sleep habits in a way that feels right for your family. While some crying is natural as your baby adjusts to a new sleep routine and as your baby learns the necessary skills for independent sleep, we aim to reduce crying as much as possible by implementing a structured, consistent plan that helps babies learn quickly.
The Live-In Sleep Coach Approach
One of the most effective ways we support families through sleep training is with our 72-hour live-in sleep coaching program. This immersive service offers hands-on, one-on-one support with a professional sleep coach living with you, in your home. Over the course of 72 hours, your sleep coach will work directly with your baby to create a consistent sleep plan that aligns with your family’s preferences and goals.
The live-in coaching program ensures that you have the support you need throughout the process, and allows your coach to make real-time adjustments based on your baby’s responses. With the personalized attention of a live-in coach, we’re able to move quickly and effectively, helping your baby develop independent sleep skills faster.
Why Consistency Matters
One of the core elements of our sleep coaching method is consistency. We believe that babies thrive when they know what to expect. By creating a structured plan that is consistent day and night, we help your baby learn sleep cues and routines faster. This consistent approach allows your baby to adjust to their new sleep routine in a way that minimizes confusion and frustration.
Our sleep coaches work with you to create a plan that is easy to follow and implement. We focus on consistency in bedtime routines, sleep environment, and sleep cues, which encourages faster learning. The goal is for your baby to understand that nighttime is for sleep and that they can trust the process. While this process may involve moments of crying as your baby adjusts, the consistency of the plan helps reduce crying over time and leads to quicker results.
Does Sleep Training Mean "Cry It Out"?
A common question we get is whether sleep training automatically means "cry it out." The simple answer is no. While some crying may occur as your baby adjusts to a new routine, the goal is not to leave your baby to cry alone for extended periods. Instead, we help your baby learn to self-soothe in a way that supports their emotional needs and encourages independent sleep.
Crying is a natural response for babies, especially when they are learning a new skill. However, our approach focuses on minimizing crying by ensuring that the sleep plan is clear, consistent, and responsive to your baby’s needs. We don’t believe in allowing babies to cry for long periods, but we do acknowledge that some crying may be a part of the adjustment process.
Our 72-hour live-in sleep coaching program ensures that your baby’s needs are met consistently, with immediate support and adjustments as necessary, while still encouraging them to learn independent sleep skills.
Why Our Approach Works
Quick Results with Structured Support: The 72-hour live-in program is designed to produce faster results by providing structured, real-time support. The hands-on coaching allows for quicker adjustments and helps your baby get on track with their sleep routine more rapidly.
Consistent Plan: A consistent sleep routine is essential for sleep training success. By sticking to a clear, reliable plan, your baby will learn sleep cues and boundaries more quickly, resulting in less frustration and crying overall.
Immediate Adjustments: Our sleep coaches are in your home with you, able to make real-time adjustments to the plan based on how your baby responds. This immediate feedback ensures that your baby’s needs are always being met while still progressing toward independent sleep.
Support for Parents: Sleep training can be stressful, and it’s not something you should have to navigate alone. With a live-in sleep coach, you get constant reassurance and guidance, helping you feel more confident in your choices and the process.
Realistic Expectations: Can You Guarantee No Crying?
It’s important to set realistic expectations when it comes to sleep training. While we, again, focus on minimizing crying, it’s impossible to guarantee that there will be no crying during the process. Babies cry for a variety of reasons including hunger, tiredness, crankiness, frustration and more. As they adjust to changes we make crying can be a natural part of that adjustment.
The good news is that with a consistent plan and immediate support, the crying usually lessens over time as your baby learns to self-soothe and becomes more comfortable in their sleep space.. Our live-in sleep coaching program is designed to help you see results quickly, so you don’t have to endure long, drawn-out crying sessions.
We understand that hearing your baby cry can be difficult, but with real-time support and guidance, we help you navigate the process with confidence and care. If you're ready to start your sleep training journey, contact us today to learn more about how our live-in sleep coaching can help your baby sleep independently while minimizing stress for everyone in your family.
