Attachment Parenting Sleep Training: Breakdown, Plus 7 Helpful Tips

Attachment parenting sleep training can be a great way to get your baby to sleep through the night, but it’s important to know the pros and cons before you decide if it’s right for you and your family. In this blog post, we will discuss what attachment parenting sleep training is, the pros and cons, and some helpful tips to get started.

Attachment parenting sleep training is a method of helping babies and young children sleep independently throughout the night. The goal is to help the child develop a sense of attachment and bonding with their parent or caregiver, while also learning how to feel comfortable enough to fall asleep on their own.

Attachment parenting sleep training can be a controversial topic, but there are many things to consider if you are thinking about trying it. Keep reading to learn more, in depth, about attachment parenting sleep training!

What Is Attachment Parenting Sleep Training?

Attachment parenting sleep training is a method used to encourage babies to sleep through the night. The philosophy behind attachment parenting is that babies need to be close to their parents in order to feel secure and loved. This means that attachment parenting families often co-sleep, or sleep in the same room as their baby. Attachment parenting sleep training involves helping your baby to develop a strong attachment to you by providing a warm and loving environment from the moment they are born so that they start to feel safe and secure in their environment.

This is an important part of attachment parenting sleep training and usually begins well before the sleep training occurs. Babies who feel safe and loved are more likely to be able to relax and sleep through the night. They also experience less stress, fears, and separation anxiety, which makes it easier to sleep train them.

With attachment parenting sleep training, the ultimate goal is not to train your baby to self-soothe without crying out for help, but instead the goal is that your baby feels comfortable, confident, safe, and content enough to fall asleep on their own, knowing that if something is wrong they will have their parent to console them. It is often referred to as the “no-cry” method, which involves gradually teaching your baby to fall asleep on their own by using a series of calming and soothing techniques

The attachment parenting sleep training process usually takes a few weeks and should be done gradually so as not to overwhelm your baby. It is important to be patient and consistent with the process, as it can take some time for your baby to learn how to fall asleep on their own. Sleep training usually starts around 6 months old or after, when babies are able to start sleeping longer through the night. It can be done earlier, but it is advised against, as attachment is still being formed during the first few months and sleep training may interfere with this or in some cases be harmful.

How Does Attachment Sleep Training Work?

Attachment parenting sleep training usually begins with creating a bedtime routine about 30 minutes before bedtime. This can involve reading books, taking a bath, or playing soft music. Then, parents put their baby down in their crib while they are still awake, or rock them until they are almost asleep.

Once the baby is asleep they’ll then leave the room. If the baby cries, parents will go back in and try to soothe them without picking them up, but if necessary, to avoid overwhelm and stress for the baby, they will pick the baby up and rock them back to sleep before placing them in the crib and leaving the room again.

This process is repeated every night until the baby is sleeping through the night. Attachment parenting sleep training can be difficult for parents as it can be drawn out and hard to stay consistent with, but it is an effective way to teach babies to sleep through the night, without using the cry-it-out method.

How Does Attachment Parenting Sleep Training Differ From Other Sleep Training Methods?

There are a variety of sleep training methods, but most involve gradually withdrawing support from the parent or caregiver over time. This can be done through different scheduling techniques, such as controlled crying or night weaning. Attachment parenting sleep training is a bit different, as it doesn’t involve allowing the baby to cry for periods of time, and generally takes place over a period of several weeks or months.

Attachment sleep training is also different from other methods because it emphasizes the importance of physically comforting your child and establishing a close bond. Which is the opposite of more popular sleep training method like the cry-it-out (CIO) method. The goal in attachment sleep training is to create a safe and secure attachment so that your child feels comfortable and confident when they are sleeping. While other methods aim to have the baby self-soothe and not need their parent’s help to fall asleep.

Attachment parenting sleep training is often seen as a more gentle and gradual method. It can be beneficial for both parents and children, as it can help reduce stress levels and promote healthy sleep habits. Parents can sleep train without worrying that their baby will experience anxiety, abandonment, or emotional distress, and children can learn to sleep through the night without being left alone to cry.

In addition to being more gentle, attachment parenting sleep training is also more likely to be successful, as it takes into account the unique needs of both the parent and child. As a result, attachment parenting sleep training is an ideal method for families who want to help their child learn to sleep through the night without resorting to Cry It Out methods. Parents should expect some bumps along the way. However, with patience and consistency, most children will eventually learn to sleep comfortably through the night.

The Pros and Cons of Attachment Parenting Sleep Training

There are a few pros and cons to attachment parenting sleep training that parents should be aware of before they decide if it is right for them and their family.

The Pros of attachment parenting sleep training:

Helps children feel safe and secure, which can lead to improved sleep.
Helps reduce night-time separation anxiety in children.
Fosters a stronger bond between parent and child, which can lead to more peaceful sleep for both parties.

Parents report higher levels of satisfaction with their children’s sleeps patterns overall.
It can help reduce the risk of SIDS vs the CIO method.
Helps babies develop healthy sleeping habits from an early age.

Attachment parenting sleep training typically results in fewer night wakings for both parents and children.
Leads to longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep for everyone involved!
This approach can help prevent colic and crying episodes.

facilitates bonding between parent and child, leading to a stronger emotional connection.
Well-rested parents are more patient and have more energy to devote to their children during the day.
This method is often more gentle and less disruptive than traditional sleep training methods.

It’s not a “quick fix” solution – it’s a long-term commitment that will pay off in the form of better sleep for everyone involved!

The Cons of attachment parenting sleep training:

Attachment parenting sleep training can be difficult for parents as it can be drawn out and hard to stay consistent with.
It can be time-consuming, as it generally takes place over a period of several weeks or months.

It requires a lot of patience and consistency from both parents and children.
Some parents report feeling guilty when using this method, as they are physically comforting their child while they cry, when other parents may advise against it.
It is not a “quick fix” solution – attachment parenting sleep training requires a lot of time and commitment from both parents and children.

There is no guarantee of success – some children may still have difficulty sleeping through the night even after attachment parenting sleep training.
It can be difficult to stick to the plan, especially when you are tired and your child is crying.
You may have to adjust your attachment parenting sleep training plan as your child grows and changes.

It is important to find a balance between attachment parenting and giving your child the independence they need to learn to sleep on their own. Some experts believe that attachment parenting sleep training can lead to attachment issues later in life. Others argue that the bond created between parent and child is worth the challenges that may arise. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to attachment parent sleep train is a personal one that should be made by parents after careful consideration.

Is It Right For My Family?

With so many different parenting styles out there, it can be hard to decide what approach is best for your family. If you’re considering attachment parenting, you may be wondering if sleep training is right for you. While every family is different, there are some general things to keep in mind when making this decision. First of all, it’s important to consider your parenting goals. Are you looking for a close bond with your child? Or are you more concerned with getting a full night’s sleep?

There is no right or wrong answer, but knowing your priorities can help you make the best decision for your family. Secondly, it’s important to understand how sleep training works. There are a variety of methods, and it’s important to find one that feels right for you and your child. Finally, keep in mind that sleep training is not a one-time event. It’s something that you may need to do on an ongoing basis as your child grows and changes.

Every family is different, and what works for one may not work for another. When it comes to sleep training, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, attachment parenting is a style of parenting that emphasizes the importance of a strong parent-child bond. This bond is created through consistent physical and emotional closeness, and it can help to foster a sense of security and trust.

Attachment parenting sleep training promotes bonding and feelings of safety, but it may not be right for every family if they aren’t able to devote the needed physical time. Some parents find that attachment sleep training makes it difficult for them to get a good night’s sleep when they have to wake early in the morning for work, and they may prefer to use a different method of sleep training. Ultimately, the best approach is the one that works best for you and your child.

7 Helpful Tips for Attachment Sleep Training

If you do decide to attachment parent sleep train, there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

Create a consistent bedtime routine including winding down activities and lots of cuddles.
Make sure both parents are on board with the plan and are able to commit to it.
Start with short periods and gradually increase the amount of time your child is sleeping on their own.

Be prepared for some resistance in the beginning and be patient as your child adjusts to the new routine.
Have a plan for what to do if your child wakes up in the night and be consistent with the plan.
Give yourself a lot of self encouragement and praise every step of the way!

Don’t rush the process, attachment sleep training takes time and patience.

Final Remarks

Attachment parenting sleep training can be a great way to promote a strong parent-child bond while still teaching your child to sleep independently. Keep in mind that it’s important to find a method that works for you and your family, and be prepared for some bumps in the road as you adjust to this new routine. With some patience and consistency, you and your child will be sleeping through the night in no time.

Do you attachment parent sleep train? What tips would you add? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please leave them below, we’d love to hear from you!

For more information on attachment parenting be sure to refer to “Attachment Parenting: Basics, Benefits and Best Practices” as well as our parenting blog library for more parenting styles and methods! Thanks for reading!