Good Advice?

We have a full-time certified Lactation Consultant (who wrote the chapter in HSH,HC) in our office and she and I meet weekly with all new parents as a group. After breast-feeding is well established, I often discuss how feeding drives sleeping off the radar and it is now time to think a little about sleeping.

My advice, at 1-2 weeks of age, is to experiment with putting the baby down to sleep drowsy but awake within one hour of awakening in the morning only. I gently explain how this will allow self-soothing skills to develop and why this is important. I emphasize that if the baby makes sounds that are not really crying to wait and see but to pick up their baby immediately if she cries. I encourage Dad to try this when available on week-ends. I inform them that this might not work or work only 10% of the time now. And I reassure them that if they do not feel comfortable trying this that it is fine to not do this.

Some mothers try this and others do not. No one is made to feel uncomfortable if they choose to not do this. As we know, there are so many variables within the mother, the baby, and the family.

How do you feel about this advice?

Marc

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