BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. A block of sleep contains multiple sleep cycles.
2. Sleep achievement is in part cue dependent.
3. Cues of sleep are learned, can be changed and then relearned.
4. Sleep achievement is usefully regarded as a learned skill.
5. Fatigue interferes with the learned skill of sleep achievement.
· (Avoid allowing the child to become over tired.)
6. Cues of sleep achievement which are parent independent are the most successful for family life.
· (Avoid sleep transitions which involve parental assistance. Allow a child to achieve sleep alone.)
· 'Crying down' to sleep will not harm the child.

Aims

1. Longest night sleep (which may include one rollover feed) should be ____ hours.
2. Total sleep per day (daylight hours) should be ____ to ____ hours.
3. Total sleep per twenty four hours should be ___ to ___ hours.

HOW TO DO IT

Bedtime. 6.30 pm. to 7.30 pm.
1. Because of the logic and convenience of a 7 to 7 night sleep.
2. Because it gives the parents a night together.
3. Because the infant will spend some time expressing an opinion about the Dr.
Routine. Remember that sleep achievement is a learned skill.
Handling.
1. Minimal handling technique. 1 -2 Min contact only. 15, 20, 25, 30 Min' gaps between contacts.
a. This is a three night plan and by night four there is no response unless the baby is asleep
b. Note that the minimal handling technique if reused will become a technique to train a child to cry. Thus while effective, safe and fast it's repeated use will cause an increased amount of crying over extended time.
2. No contact. This technique is reserved for the persistent criers. The simplest summary here is that the child has one chance per night for an open door and then once this 'privilege' is used the door is shut and stays shut till dawn. (Please check on the infant or child once they are asleep to make sure that they are safe.)

PHASES OF SUCCESS

1. Protest (logical).
2. Rapid improvement (usually within the first week).
3. Negotiation (An attempt to go back to the previous position. The response is NO RESPONSE until sleep is achieved.)

CYCLES OF IMPROVEMENT

1. Night time sleep improves - first.
2. Morning sleep usually improves next.
3. Afternoon sleep may be the final period to improve.

CONSISTENCY

A consistent approach is VITAL to success.
An inconsistent approach teaches persistent crying behaviour. For example, attending to the child on the third night teaches that it is worth crying for three nights.

DAYTIME

Once night sleep starts to improve, the first day sleep will often be needed earlier in the day.

Attempt to achieve at least one full sleep cycle per day sleep, i.e., 45-60 minutes.

During the day the maximum time recommended to leave the child crying is 45 minutes. If still crying after that time then he or she can come up and be settled. Once you see signs of tiredness appearing again, then begin the next cycle or "sleep".

For more detail see 'Silent Nights' published by Oxford University Press.