Path to independent sleep

[Supermathsdoc]

I’m seeing a lot written about ‘providing opportunities for independent sleep’ as a way to avoid later having to undertake sleep training.

If I’ve understood correctly this means putting your baby down awake (but not distressed) to see if they will sleep / pausing for a moment before rushing in for wakes to see if they settle back.

Has anyone been doing this and seen success? I’ve tried it a few times but essentially I put her down and she’s awake and talking to herself but then a few mins later she’s crying. If I settle and soothe her and try again very soon she will be over tired! Especially as it takes 15 mins to get her to sleep with rocking/patting/dummy which I then have to do when it inevitably fails.

I’d be grateful for any experiences of this or views on how I might be misunderstanding the concept!

How old is your child?

She’s 4.5 months so I’m obviously not expecting her to do this right away and there are plenty of methods she responds to.

But I am genuinely curious about this ‘providing opportunities for independent sleep’ that numerous books and websites recommend.

is it something you have experience of?

I used to put my DD down in her next to me about 15 mins before she was tired and "due" her nap. I'd put on the colour changing light bulb to amuse her and get in the shower next door. White noise of the shower and entertainment from the colours, 9 times out of 10 she'd be asleep by the time I'd finished in the shower. She's always been a great sleeper.

@Febb

I'm going to try something like this with my 2nd! My oldest was a nightmare sleeper from day one. There was no independent sleeping hahahahaha he was rocked to sleep as a baby then breastfed to sleep until over 2 years old and even now continues to sleep in my bed most nights.

Thank you @febb did you ever have an experience where she didn’t just fall straight to sleep? If so would you try again or just give it one try to avoid over tiredness?