Sleepeasy Solution, Summary

This blog got an outstanding leap in traffic today and, judging by most of the referrals, it looks like people are seeking information on the Sleepeasy Solution. Here’s the summary of my experience:

The Sleepeasy Solution book was a total godsend to my family. In the course of roughly 7 days of sleep training using this method, my 6 month old went from having an increasingly difficult time settling to sleep at any point between 7 and 9:30 pm, to going to sleep like clockwork at 7:30 on the dot. I now set her in her crib perfectly awake at 7:25 pm, she instantly turns on her side and begins sucking her thumb and within moments is asleep. If there is any crying at all, it lasts less than 3 minutes.

In addition, my daughter was waking up in the middle of the night between 1 and 3 times. On occasion, she would not go back to sleep. While we did the sleep training, the night wakings decreased to the point where perhaps once a night she would wake, but then settle herself back to sleep within a few minutes.

My daughter has also learned to stay asleep or quietly settled in her crib for 12 hours. She consistently wakes at 7:21 AM and is ready to get up, happy and cheerful.

Finally, Lulu eases into her naps excellently and, when I lay her down in her crib, I am confident that she will always go to sleep and actually get a NAP, rather than fuss!

Would I Do the Sleepeasy Solution Again?

Absolutely. In fact, I’m going to have to do another round of training with Lulu because of having gotten off track during a teething bout. If we have more children, I will definitely consider this method, and will most likely use it. I do believe that every child is unique and, therefore, it’s possible this method may not suit our next child. In general, though, I think this is a very straightforward, simple way to help a child learn how to put herself to sleep and I think it is suitable for the majority of babies. Odds are 98 to 2 that we’ll use this method again with our future children. We are thrilled with the results so far in Lulu.

Would I Recommend This to Friends and Family?

Emphatically yes!!! I have been telling anyone and everyone I know about this book. I feel so much that it has helped to bring a regularity and reliability to our family rhythm. I feel blessed that I happened to randomly pull this book off the shelf at Barnes & Noble when I went to get the “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Children” book. It literally has changed my life (& my husband and child’s).

What Makes This Such a Great Book?

1. It is VERY easy to read when you’re so tired your face is tingling.
2. The tone is very evenhanded. You can read this book, decide the method is not for you, and feel okay with that (as opposed to many of the other sleep training books out there that use a very condemning “my way or the highway” tone)
3. The tone is also very supportive. The authors understand that you’re tired, afraid of making a mistake, needing help and support with your decision.
4. It WORKS, well and quickly. My daughter’s life is MUCH better for having had this training.
5. The authors of the Sleepeasy Solution have considered almost every situation, ad hoc question and doubt that you can concieve of, all of which are addressed, so, if and when you start to doubt or wonder what to do, the book very clearly outlines your next move.

What Is The Method? How Does It Work?

I really believe that you need to read the book to understand what to do, when to do it and how to do it. I will not begin to try to outline the methods (except where I already have mentioned some aspects in my chronicles) at the risk that they be misinterpretted applied incorrectly. I will say that this is a modified version of a cry it out method. As the authors put it, this is the “least cry”method.

Also, the authors state that a baby should be at least four months and fourteen pounds and in good health before starting this sleep training. If your baby is lighter than this or younger than this, perhaps you can benefit from the “Happiest Baby On the Block” methods of soothing (we got the DVD and fast forwarded through it to the pertinent parts at 2 AM the second night Lulu was home!).

Get the book and read it.

Special Note for Exhausted Parents:

If you are a tired parent reading this at 2 AM, desperately looking for answers… hang in there. Tomorrow, during business hours, go to your local Barnes & Noble (I know they carry it), or call around to find one in stock at another bookstore, and get a copy. I PROMISE you that if you buy the book tomorrow and take 30 minutes to begin getting some of the concepts, you WILL be able to start tomorrow night and two days from now, you will see light!!! Just make it through one more night and then you can begin moving toward a solution and a good night’s rest. In the meantime, if you’re looking for an empathetic read, cruise through my chronicles. Good luck!!!

Sleep Training & Teething:

Now, the major caveat. Immediately after we concluded the sleep training, my daughter began teething. In the course of a week, her first two teeth emerged. This derailed the success of the sleep training particularly . In the past week or so, I have regressed to taking her from her crib when she wakes and cries. I believe this was a necessary step in comforting her while she was in teething pain. This was also discussed in the Sleepeasy Solution book. The teething (round one) has passed, but we have a trip scheduled… There’s just not enough time to restore the great schedule we were on. When we return from our trip, we will re-start the sleep training, and I’ll probably write about it some more here!

Do I Have an Affiliation With the Book or Authors?

Nope. I’m just a new mom who, herself, has trouble sleeping. So I write a lot. And worry. And exalt in the successes and belabour the “failures” of my parenting along the way.

I hope some of my experiences and writing can be of help to you!