Are you currently struggling with a child who can’t or won’t sleep? Or feeling unsure about what to do next? If so, here are some things to consider when deciding whether sleep training is right for your family.
The importance of sleep
Sleep is essential for your child’s cognitive and emotional development. It’s also essential for the rest of the family.
When there is a consistently poor sleeper in the house, sleep deprivation quickly takes its toll on everyone. It can affect mood, health, decision-making, and over time even relationships.
Resolving sleep issues, in whatever way feels right for your family, is absolutely worth prioritising.
Will my child learn to sleep better on their own?
It’s unlikely.
Sleep is a learned skill. Like any skill, it can be learned, unlearned, and relearned.
Some parents, particularly with more easy-going children, may naturally and unintentionally support good sleep habits without realising it. Others may need to teach these skills more consciously.
Every child is different. Their temperament, sensitivity, and personality will all influence how quickly they pick things up.
You can choose to wait and see, or you can actively support them to learn this skill before sleep habits become more established and harder to change.
Is there a quick fix?
Unfortunately, there is no magic wand when it comes to sleep.
Real change takes consistency, repetition, and commitment from the parent.
The good news is that once sleep improves, the impact on the whole family can be almost immediate.
What are your options?
There is a huge amount of information available online, from blogs to books, and many are free or low cost.
Some of the more well-known ones include Gina Ford, Baby Sleep Solution, and Baby Sleep Whisperer. They all contain valuable information and practical tips.
The challenge for many parents is time. When you’re exhausted, finding the energy to read and interpret large amounts of information can feel overwhelming.
Most of these resources also take a generalised approach. While helpful, they don’t always take into account your child’s temperament, your family setup, or your personal parenting style.
That said, many parents do successfully use these tools on their own.
What about working with a sleep consultant?
A sleep consultant takes a completely personalised approach.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all method, the plan is tailored specifically to your child, your family, and what feels right for you as a parent.
You’re supported through the process, not just handed a plan. Depending on the level of support, this may include ongoing messaging or call support – which can make a huge difference when things feel tough in the middle of the night.
Plans are also adapted as your child responds, rather than being rigid or fixed.
Will there be crying involved?
In most cases, there is some level of resistance when sleep habits change. That can sometimes include tears.
This is normal when routines change, especially in the beginning.
The focus is always on secure attachment, reassurance, and responding in a way that feels right for both parent and child.
This is not about “leaving children to cry it out”, but about supporting them through change in a calm and consistent way.
Is sleep training right for everyone?
No – it isn’t.
Like all parenting decisions, it’s personal.
For it to work, parents need to feel ready to commit to the process and confident in the approach they are using.
A bit of hesitation at the beginning is completely normal, especially when it involves your child.
Most sleep consultants offer a free introductory call, which gives you space to talk things through before deciding what feels right for your family.
Book a free sleep evaluation call
If you’d like support, you can book a free sleep evaluation call to talk through your situation and explore the best next steps. You can do this here: https://www.borntosleep.co.uk/book-a-call/
Leigh. x
