If you’re looking for a gentle sleep shaping method that involves fewer tears or no tears at all, consider the Sleep Lady Shuffle Method or camping out method. This method, developed by Kim West, is a way to help your baby learn how to fall asleep independently and stay asleep without needing you to pick her up when she cries.
How Does Chair Method Sleep Training Work?
The Sleep Lady Shuffle method, otherwise known as the chair method or camping out method, is a no-cry method of sleep training. This method involves putting them down in their crib and gradually moving the chair further away from them each night until you’re finally out of the room. This method can also help wean babies off a sleep crutch or sleep association.
This sleep coaching method was developed by Kim West, who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an author of various books including Good Night, Sleep Tight: The Sleep Lady’s Gentle Guide to Helping Your Baby Go to Sleep, and the Sleep Tight Workbook.
Does the Sleep Lady Shuffle Work?
A lot of young babies fuss before going to bed. Either this is due to separation anxiety or they’re suffering from sleepless nights, it’ll be comforting for them to have mom and dad nearby while they sleep in their own bed.
Just like all sleep training methods, the key to making the Sleep Lady Shuffle method work is to be consistent with it. If you only do it some nights, your baby will not get the message that this is how they are supposed to fall asleep. However, if you are consistent with it, the Sleep Lady Shuffle can be an effective way to help your baby learn to self-soothe and get a good night’s sleep.
How Old Should I Start Using the Chair Method?
Despite what many new parents may believe, babies are not born knowing how to sleep through the night. In fact, it is perfectly normal for newborns to wake up frequently throughout the night. However, as babies grow and develop, they gradually learn how to regulate their sleeping patterns.
By four to six months old, most babies are developmentally ready to start sleep training. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep coaching, there are a few basic principles that can help make the process go more smoothly. When To Start Sleep Training
How Long Does the Chair Method Take?
The Chair Method by Kim West is a gradual sleep training technique that can help your baby learn to sleep on their own.
This baby steps approach to sleep training usually takes around two weeks if you are patient and consistent with it.
However, like most gentle sleep training methods, it might take a few weeks before you can see results. Also, factors such as the baby’s age and temperament can greatly affect the success of any sleep training methods so keep your realistic expectations.
How to Do the Chair Method
The chair method of sleep training a baby is a slow process that needs time, consistency, and patience. Basically, parents would be putting the baby to sleep and they should be in the room while the baby learns to self-soothe. And as the baby starts learning to sleep on her own, move the chair closer to the door.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Put your baby down to bed completely awake but drowsy.
- Sit on the chair until she’s asleep in her own crib.
- If your baby wakes up and cries, comfort her without picking her up. Verbally reassure your baby and pat intermittently.
- Stay with the baby in the baby’s room until he or she falls asleep. Leave the room only when your baby is in deep sleep.
- Gradually move the chair away from the crib each night until you’re basically out the door. For example, on the first three nights, sit right next to your baby’s crib. On days four to six, move the chair halfway to the door.
- Parents should repeat these steps multiple times for the next week or two or until the child is consistently falling asleep on his or her own and can go back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.
- Once the baby becomes a good sleeper and is sleeping through the night, slowly remove your presence from the room over the course of a few nights. And don’t forget to say good night, sleep tight to your baby before leaving the room every night.
- After a week or two, most families should be able to stop sleep training entirely.
Who Should Use Chair Method Sleep Training?
The Chair Method is a sleep training technique that can be used for babies who find that their parents being present at bedtime makes them feel calmer instead of more stimulated. This method is suitable for parents who can commit to practicing it every night for at least two weeks.
Conclusion on the Chair Sleep Training Method
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and have a tough time with sleep training your baby, don’t worry. The Sleep Lady Shuffle Method is a gradual process that can help many parents and their older babies get more restful nights. You can sleep coach your baby without letting your baby cry. We hope this article has helped to give you a better understanding of how the method works and what to expect.
FAQs on Sleep Training
Does the Baby Need to Fall Asleep In Their Own Room for Sleep Training?
Many new parents choose to room share with their child for the first few months (or years) of life. There are many benefits to this arrangement, including the ability to respond quickly to nighttime needs and the opportunity to bond with your baby.
However, some parents worry that room sharing will make it more difficult to sleep train their child. While it is true that sleep training may take a little longer when room sharing, it is still possible to successfully teach your child to sleep through the night.
By following a few simple tips, you can help your child (and yourself) get a good night’s sleep. Begin by establishing a bedtime routine that includes quiet activities such as reading or taking a bath. Then, create a safe and comfortable sleep environment in your shared room. Be consistent in your approach, and be patient – soon you and your child will be enjoying peaceful nights of uninterrupted sleep.
Can You Sleep Train Only at Night?
Although most parents focus on training their children to sleep through the night, it is just as important to establish healthy sleeping habits during the day. Daytime sleep helps babies and young children to consolidate their nighttime sleep, and it also provides an opportunity for them to recharge their batteries.
Furthermore, daytime sleep has been linked with improved learning and memory. For these reasons, it is essential that parents make a concerted effort to establish healthy daytime sleep habits in addition to working on nighttime sleep training.
You may begin sleep training at bedtime but do the training for naps as well. Although it may require a bit more effort, implementing a consistent sleep routine for both day and night will pay off in the long run.
Is the Chair Method the Same as Pick Up, Put Down Method?
No, the Chair Method by Kim West is different from Pick Up, Put Down Method which is based on the idea from Tracy Hogg’s book Secrets of the Baby Whisperer.
The pick-up, put-down method is another gentle approach to sleep training technique in which parents respond to their baby’s cries by picking her up and comforting her for a brief period of time, then putting her back in her crib when she’s calm. Stay in the room for a few minutes as your baby falls asleep. This method can be an effective way to teach your baby to self-soothe and fall asleep on her own.
However, it’s important to be consistent with the technique and to be mindful of your baby’s cues. If you find that your baby is consistently crying or fussing, it may be time to try a different sleep training method.
This article was written by: Gian MIller – Full-Time Writer, Baby Whisperer & Dad of 3.
Gian spends a lot of his time writing. A self-proclaimed baby whisperer, Gian has been through it all with his own children and is passionate about sharing his hard-won wisdom with other parents. When he’s not writing or changing diapers, you can find him playing the guitar or watching baseball (or preferably both at the same time).
