In layman terms, when a parent says that their child is a ‘light sleeper’, it probably means several things. This can include waking up several times at night, being woken up by minor sounds, not sleeping for long or having difficulty falling asleep.

In reality, all babies have the same sleep stages that involve both light and deep sleep. The only difference is that some babies spend more time in the light sleep stage before moving on to deep sleep, and some babies are able to achieve deep sleep after spending a relatively short time in light sleep.

There is nothing unusual about babies spending more time in the light sleep phase. In fact, a baby’s sleep habits change throughout their growing up years.

There is not a way for you to adjust a baby’s sleep phases, as they have to develop it naturally. What you can do as a parent is to teach them to find their self soothing methods and fall asleep independently. Remember that the end goal is to facilitate your baby’s self soothing and falling asleep on their own, rather than providing them with external solutions.

Methods to Train Light Sleepers

Here are some steps on how to sleep train a baby to help your light sleeper cope better and develop their own ways of falling asleep.

1. Create a Sleep-Conducive Bedroom

Preparing a space where your baby can sleep peacefully is one of the first steps that you can take. This means placing your child’s cot in a quiet place, with minimal noise interruptions. The room should also have blackout curtains in order to create a dark atmosphere. Ideally, you should also have an air-conditioner to ensure the room is cool and your baby isn’t feeling uncomfortable from the heat or humidity.

A conducive bedroom is crucial in helping your baby’s brain register that it is time to wind down and sleep.

2. Let Them Sleep Alone

This method allows your baby to depend less on you or your presence in order to sleep. Experts recommend that babies share your room until they’re about 5 months old. However, once they’re old enough, they should have their own room. In addition to encouraging the development of self-soothing methods, it also minimizes the amount of interruptions from other members of the family.

3. Avoid Sleep Props

Sleep props basically mean any actions that you have to do as a parent to get your baby to sleep. This can include rocking them, patting them, giving them a rub or even, taking them on a car ride.

The more a baby is dependent on a sleep prop to sleep, the harder it is for them to develop self soothing techniques that allow them to fall asleep independently. Falling asleep on their own without help is crucial for their development and growth.

4. Teach Them to Self Soothe

Although the tendency for you as a parent is to run to your baby and pick them up whenever they start crying at night. However, this method recommends that you allow them to self soothe, and develop ways to fall back asleep by themselves.

Parents are allowed to stand by and use their voices to reassure their babies that they’re there and that everything is fine. However, incorporating sleep props like the ones described above is discouraged.

5. Reach Out to A Professional

If simple steps at home don’t seem to be working, it should be time to seek infant sleep training Singapore for your child. A professional sleep therapist will be able to plan a strategy that fits the unique needs of your child.

Additionally, they will also be able to provide you with more technical knowledge and support as you are sleep training your baby, as well as answer your questions.

How do I Know If My Baby Should Be Sleep Trained?

There are definitely certain key indications that your baby requires a more professional approach to help them sleep better. These signs will signal that it’s time to ask “Is there a baby sleep trainer near me?”

Your baby is irritable and fusses a lot during the day time due to lack of sleep
He/She is waking up more than usual during the night.
His/Her sleeping times have changed and are now a mess
He/Shemay appear wide awake and active during their usual bedtimes.
Your baby needs help going to sleep, including sleep props like patting, rocking, bouncing and the like.

Light Sleepers: In Conclusion

In time, your baby’s sleep patterns will normalize. In fact, as your baby grows it is normal for them to undergo periods where their sleep stages and experiences change. Remember that this is nothing to worry or panic about, Rather, you can facilitate their adjustment to the best of your ability.

At times like this, Sleepy Bubba is here for all Singaporean parents that need a hand when their babies aren’t sleeping as they should, or are facing problems with ‘light sleepers’.

If you’re interested in getting professional help to improve your child’s sleep, please feel free to schedule a FREE 20-minute discovery call with us to learn more. I’m here to help!