Why
don't worry
about Sleep Associations
When it comes to baby sleep, there's often a heavy focus on creating good or bad sleep habits.
Parents are encouraged to be cautious of the habits and routines they choose to help their baby fall asleep, like rocking, nursing, or using white noise
But they have to be sure they to pick the healthy ones that won’t create bad sleep associations
So before you get caught up in that “good” or “wrong" approach, I want you to know that, as a sleep consultant, I don't really focus on sleep association to help your baby sleep, and here is what I focus on instead.
SLEEP ASSOCIATIONS ARE POWERFUL TOOL － NOT A TRAP
Let me be clear: I’m not saying sleep associations don’t exist or don’t matter.
Of course they do !
But you shouldn't be afraid of it.
I know they get a bad reputation because you are told “If your baby get used to it, they will never fall asleep without it. They will never fall asleep without you”.
And then sleep's association, wrong sleep association, gets something to avoid at all costs.
But the thing is, they are not your enemy.
Actually, used wisely, sleep associations are so powerful, they are such amazing ways to help your baby sleep, to support them, to make them feel safe.
And more than that, to support you
Sleep associations are the things to rely on when you need it, when you need baby to fall asleep with minimum fight, as smoothly and effectively as possible.
Those are tools you shouldn't be moderate about. And you shouldn’t even question to use them freely and as much as you want, as much as you need.
If it is
SO WHAT SLEEP ASSOCIATION ARE GOOD ?
Rocking or bouncing to sleep －Perfect!
Nursing a bottle feeding to sleep －Fantastic!
Using a pacifier －All right!
Holding your baby or contact napping －Amazing!
White noise
(or any specific tools and things you've find out to make your baby sleep) －Yeah you’ve found it !
For sure, they are only tool and they are not foundation for your baby sleep. It's true because they are not meant to work on the long term.
But that's actually what makes them so helpful!
They work quickly and offer immediate comfort, that feel like magic in tough moments.
But I also want you to hear sound and clear : They also are highly adaptable and they are not permanent, and you'll not get stuck.
You’ll use them when you need the help, and if or when you want to change one, when something doesn't work for you anymore, you can rewire a sleep association in as little as 3 to 5 days. That's actually what sleep trainers do and why they can promise you a change within such a little time because sleep association can be changed so easily.
That's the beauty of the brain. It is flexible.
So I don't want you to fight against it.
I want you to play with it !