What is the best sleep training method for babies?
This is one of the most inquired moments in a new parent’s early stages of caring for a child, the topic of sleep for their little ones. It is a popular subject because there are so many factors at play when it comes to managing your baby’s sleep, expectations, and daily routine needs for the parents, and all the while wanting what’s best for them.
Before you jump right into what method you think you’re willing to try out, here’s some research-based information on sleep training babies to better determine if it’s right for you if you wish to move forward, and what are some findings from these studies you should consider.
Biological Mechanisms Of Infant Sleep Training
Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to sleep train, or they are just so delirious from the lack of sleep it can stem from desperation. This article is focused on understanding the biological effects that sleep training does to the infant with information from research studies on both positives and negatives documented. This will give you the information to make an informed decision if sleep training is right for you and what you wish to achieve.
What are biological mechanisms of infant sleep?
Biological mechanisms research looks into the physiological and neurological mechanisms underlying infant sleep patterns and how sleep training may affect these processes. This includes studies on circadian rhythms, cortisol levels, and brain development concerning sleep training.
Cortisol Levels & Baby Sleep Quality
Several studies have investigated cortisol levels in infants undergoing sleep training. Cortisol, a stress hormone, plays a role in regulating the body’s response to stress. Some research suggests that cortisol levels may temporarily increase during the initial stages of sleep training, particularly in methods involving extinction “cry it out” or graduated extinction. However, these increases are typically within normal ranges and are not indicative of chronic stress.
Sleep Architecture
Studies have examined changes in infant sleep architecture following sleep training interventions. Sleep architecture refers to the organization of different sleep stages (e.g., REM sleep, non-REM sleep) throughout the night. Research indicates that certain sleep training methods, such as extinction or graduated extinction, may lead to improvements in sleep consolidation and the establishment of more regular sleep patterns.
Circadian Rhythms
Sleep training can influence the development of infants’ circadian rhythms, which regulate the timing of sleep-wake cycles. Research suggests that implementing consistent bedtime routines and sleep schedules as part of sleep training can help synchronize infants’ circadian rhythms, leading to more predictable sleep patterns over time. So if you do choose to sleep train, ensure your bedtime routine is established and remains consistent during the timeframe.
Brain Development While Sleep Training
Some studies have investigated the impact of sleep training on infant brain development. Although research in this area is ongoing, preliminary findings suggest that healthy sleep patterns established through sleep training may support optimal brain development in infancy. However, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of sleep training on brain structure and function.
Parent-Infant Attachment
Research has examined the relationship between sleep training methods and parent-infant attachment. While some studies have suggested that sleep training does not negatively impact attachment security, others have raised concerns about potential disruptions to the parent-infant bond, particularly in methods involving prolonged separation or distress.
Baby’s Physiological Stress Response
Studies have explored infants’ physiological stress response during sleep training, including heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system activity. Research findings vary, with some studies indicating transient increases in physiological arousal during sleep training interventions, while others report minimal or no significant changes.
Genetic Factors
Recent research has begun to investigate genetic factors that may influence infants’ responses to sleep training. Variations in genes related to stress reactivity, neurotransmitter systems, and circadian rhythms may play a role in shaping individual differences in sleep training outcomes.
Research on the biological mechanisms of baby sleep training encompasses a wide range of perspectives, and findings can vary depending on the specific study design, methodology, and population studied. It’s important to note that the interpretation of research findings can also be influenced by various factors, including researchers’ biases, funding sources, and prevailing cultural attitudes toward sleep training. With findings both supporting and questioning the effectiveness and implications of sleep training methods, it comes down to you. This is where an informed parent is the best approach to understand more on the topic and determine what’s right for you now and for long term considerations.
What is also important to note is the age of your baby when you wish to sleep train, which could play a role in the development or ease of the training if they are 9 months compared to 15 months. Just food for thought!
Published Articles On Baby Sleep, Attachment and Physiology
The Neurobiology of Human Attachments
Fifteen years of research suggests that sleep training for babies can cause them more distress
