Sleep Training is Tough: Here’s How I Managed It

How to find comfort while your baby wails, from audio stories to books about terrible parents. by Alex Martin March 24, 2022

My son’s middle name is Morpheus, inspired by the deity of sleep and dreams. (To be honest, we picked it after spotting a poster for a film while heading to the hospital. Kudos to Laurence Fishburne for that!). Naturally, our Morpheus didn’t sleep through the night until he turned 14 months old. We were crammed into a one-bedroom apartment in NYC during his first year, attempting sleep training with techniques like drenching myself in a massive bottle of perfume to mask my scent while the baby screamed just a few feet away. I even tried using a “Slumber Pod” over his crib, hoping it would trick him into believing he was on a serene camping trip in the wilderness.

When baby number two arrived, sleep training was still on my mind. Around six months, we decided to give the Ferber method a shot—allowing our baby girl to cry for gradually increasing periods before briefly reassuring her that her parents were still around.

For all the parents out there who, like me, aren’t among the lucky few who can say, “Oh, she just started sleeping through the night at two months!”, here are ten tips to help you survive this phase.

01. Crank Up That Noise Machine for You

Many parents invest in portable noise machines (we loved the Rohm) to replicate the white noise of a vacuum and drown out external sounds, signaling to their infants that it’s time to sleep. If it works for the baby, it can work for you too! Turn it up loud enough, and there’s a good chance both you and the baby will be dozing off before it’s time for a check-in. (This is also great if you have a snoring partner who remains unfazed by your child’s cries, so you don’t feel the urge to throw a pillow at them every few minutes.)

02. Take a Soothing Bath

Pour a generous amount of lavender Epsom salts into your bath, let the water drown out the cries, and reflect on the amazing body that gave life or nurtures this little one. I like to take a moment to appreciate my C-section scar, feeling grateful that I could safely bring my 10-pound breech baby into the world.

03. Tune Into Some Audio Stories

If you’re going to be listening to screams, why not make them interesting? Sexy audio stories might not be on your radar as a tired parent, but once you hear a captivating tale, you might momentarily forget about the kids. Platforms like Audio Desires have great 10- to 20-minute scenarios that are perfect for some distraction without the overstimulation of a screen.

04. Watch an Episode of Your Favorite Show

A 22-minute sitcom can be just the right length to distract you from a fussy baby and provide a comforting dose of nostalgia. For me, it might be Frasier. And for longer crying spells, I’d opt for a 52-minute dramedy like The Great, fully aware that watching beautiful people banter might lead me back to that audio story.

05. Treat Yourself to a Snack

Just because you’re teaching your baby not to eat overnight doesn’t mean you should skip out on food! If you’re in the city, consider ordering from a 24-hour diner and drop a note to the delivery person requesting some adult conversation when they arrive.

06. Read About Terrible Parents

Books that highlight dreadful parenting, like Matilda, Hamlet, or Carrie, can be oddly comforting. Reminding yourself that letting your baby cry for a bit makes you a better parent compared to those fictional families.

07. Have a Living Room Dance Party

Did you miss out on those wild nights in Brooklyn before parenthood? Now’s your chance! Put on your headphones and dance it out to Sam Smith or The Police while keeping an eye on the baby monitor.

08. Scroll Through Baby Photos

This one may backfire, especially if you’re nursing—the combination of crying and an adorable photo might lead to some tears of your own. Yet, it might help you remember the joy your little one brings.

09. Write or Draw Your Feelings

Even if you think you lack creativity, pouring your thoughts onto paper can be a great release. No one has to see your scribbles, but that stick figure of your future teenager who sleeps in might just lighten your mood.

10. Embrace the Clichés

Remind yourself that “this too shall pass,” and as every grandmother seems to say, “enjoy this time, it goes by so fast!” (If only that had been true during the nipple-biting phase!).

Ultimately, unless there’s a medical reason for your child’s sleeplessness, they will stop crying eventually. Then you can relish a moment of peace before turning your attention to the other little one who needs you—like the toddler at your side saying, “Mama, I need a change!”

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Summary:

Navigating sleep training can be a challenging experience for many parents. This article provides practical tips for coping during those long nights, from utilizing noise machines to indulging in snacks and audio stories. Remember, this phase will eventually pass, and finding comfort in small distractions can make the journey a little easier.

Keyphrase: Sleep Training Tips

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Sleep Training is Tough: Here’s How I Managed It

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