Why Sleep Training Works: Case Study

In our quest to assist families in establishing peaceful sleep schedules and restful evenings, we have seen a great deal of success. Today, we'd like to tell you about Sarah and her 7-month-old daughter, Emma, who struggled with frequent nighttime awakenings as a result of a feed-to-sleep link. We were able to help Sarah and Emma have more tranquil nights and better sleep by using Association Fading.

Sarah's Struggle: Sarah was worn out and in need of a restful night's sleep. Emma frequently woke up during the night because she had a strong relationship between nursing and falling asleep. Emma woke every 2-3 hours every night, no matter what time bedtime started.  Sarah found herself putting Emma back to sleep several times during the course of the night, leaving her feeling exhausted. She was aware that a change was necessary, but finding a method where she didn’t feel like she was “experimenting” was key.

Before any major changes were implemented to decrease night wakings, Sarah’s first step was to create a unique sleep schedule for Emma which took into consideration her existing sleep habits, natural wakings, and gestational appropriation for total sleep needs.  Then, at night time, after 3-5 days of implementing consistency, Sarah would implement the responsive sleep training method to night time.

Understanding the Association: We talked about how crucial it is to understand Emma's relationship between nursing and sleep. Sarah was able to understand the underlying reason for her frequent nighttime awakenings by seeing this pattern. Emma was of good weight gain.  She still finished a full nursing session at night and went back to sleep, but Sarah couldn’t determine whether her feedings were due to habit or feeding.  After agreement from her Pediatrician, she was given the green light to drop all-night feeds, further emphasizing a child’s natural attachment to feeding as part of her routine that always led to sleep.  The philosophy around Association Fading Method focuses on the fact that our babies are driven by routines that communicate the next steps, and by changing those routines to something that a child has control over, maximizes sleep.

Night routine modifications: Sarah also developed a regular nighttime routine that included calming activities like singing, reading, and gentle rocking. These comforting and unwinding activities also established new associations with sleeping.

Gradual Transition: In order to gradually weaken the link between nursing and sleep for Sarah, we advised keeping all feeds 30 minutes or more away from any sleep time.  She stayed present in the room, providing repeatable guidance that is cognitively in alignment with Emma, to help guide her to sleep.

Comfort and Assurance: Sarah gave Emma comfort and assurance during the transition. She remained by her side, giving her reassuring words, loving pats, and a consoling presence. Emma was able to learn to self-settle because to this assurance that she was safe. 

Patterns create sequences, and sequences create security!

Emma fell asleep on her own, in her crib, on night one in 12 minutes!

Night 2 was 6 minutes.

On night 3, Emma slept 11 hours and continued to fall asleep, on average within 7 mins of naps and night time.

Why Association Fading Functions: Based on behavioral psychology principles, association fading eventually replaces the previous sleep connection with new, more independent sleep patterns. Here are some of the main explanations for why Association Fading works:

Association, Gentle Transition Fading fosters a strong relationship with the parent and respects the child's emotional wellbeing. The youngster will experience support and affection throughout the transition if comfort and assurance are given.

Promotes Self-Settling Skills: Association Fading gives kids the power to gradually grow their self-settling skills. Children learn to rely on their own calming talents by gradually lowering the reliance on external sleep associations, promoting independence and self-confidence.

Consistency and Predictability: Association Fading's progressive nature makes sure that changes happen at a rate that is agreeable to what a child can biologically accept. 

Sarah's experience with Emma's sleep journey exemplifies the effectiveness of Association Fading in gradually breaking links between eating and sleeping. Sarah was able to successfully help Emma toward self-settling abilities and better sleep by comprehending the association, making adjustments to the nighttime routine, and offering consolation and assurance. An evidence-based strategy called association fading encourages a strong parent-child bond while promoting sound sleep practices. 

"Learn more about how we work with families to help their babies sleep 10+ hours at night without Cry-it-out or Ferber.  Join our free webinar!"