Baby sleep: Alternatives to 'cry-it-out'

Host Jessica Rolph welcomes Certified Pediatric Sleep Specialist Lauren Heffernan to the second episode of our new season, Perspectives. In this season, you’ll hear curated perspectives on topics like sleep, feeding, and parenting philosophies, so you can make informed choices for your family.   It is rare to find a new parent who doesn’t wish for more hours of sleep; long nights seem to be part of the bargain. When those long nights start dragging on, it can feel like sleep training is the only way out. Lauren proposes a different approach. She is the founder of Isla Grace: Attachment-Focused Sleep. She prefers to avoid separation and the cry-it-out method of sleep training.   Key Takeaways: [1:31] Lauren speaks about her own experience sleep training. [3:56] She explains how that experience informs her practice as a sleep consultant. [6:35] Supporting your babies’ emotions when you are sleep deprived is challenging. [8:20] Why it’s difficult for parents to sit with those big emotions from their child. [9:26] Lauren answers a question from a listener: My baby only falls asleep when I breastfeed him and wakes up throughout the night for more breastfeeding; how can I stop this without the cry-it-out approach? [12:48] What happens when night weaning gets derailed. [13:38] Bed-sharing and how to practice it safely. [16:08] Lauren explains “bridging” between crib and toddler bed. [17:04] How to reframe inconsistent napping. [19:45] If you are getting extremely frustrated and exhausted, try a shifting pattern or ask for someone to support you. [21:06] Lauren’s bottom-line advice to sleep-deprived parents.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Isla Grace: Attachment Focused Sleep