Temperments and Sleep Training
Recently I had a client who was getting overstimulated at a habitual wake in the early hours of the morning. She would protest and scream for 2 hours before exhausting herself. We persisted with an in the room method for 10 days before we changed methods and are now seeing some amazing success.
This got me thinking about knowing and understanding each baby’s temperament and how it is important when deciding what settling techniques and approaches to sleep will best suit your baby. You want to use a technique and approach that will work with your baby’s temperament in order to see the most success.
There are 5 different temperaments that I consider:
‘Angel’ - Angel babies are generally easy going, undemanding and have predictable moods. When it comes to sleep, an angel baby will settle independently, and sleep for long periods of time, right from an early age. They are adaptable and adjust well to new settling techniques and changes in their routine.
‘Textbook’ - Textbook babies are similar to Angel babies. Their moods are predictable so long as their parents see their tired or hungry signs in time. A Textbook baby can have periods of being cranky, but are usually easy to calm and settle to sleep. They can fall asleep independently but may take a good 20 mins to fall fully asleep. When overstimulated, a Textbook baby may require the help of a parent to calm before sleep but will respond to new settling techniques well.
‘Touchy’ - Touchy babies are sensitive, highly irritable and easily upset by stimulation around them. They require a lot of support and reassurance around new people and in new environments. When it comes to sleep a Touchy baby responds well to routine and structure and benefits from a long wind down ritual before bed.
‘Spirited’ - Spirited babies are active and full of energy. They are vocal, and often very stubborn. A Spirited baby is likely to have many mood swings from happy to sad and back again and will persevere with a tantrum for a long time. In terms of sleep, a Spirited baby is likely to resist naps as they do not want to miss out on anything.
‘Grumpy’ - Grumpy babies are often in a grumpy mood and can be loud and persistent with their crying. A Grumpy baby responds well to a predictable routine and teaching them to self settle will require a lot of patience and perseverance.
How does this play into sleep training? Well, if you have a very spirited baby and you are wanting to do an in the room technique, this baby might protest much longer if he can see you. In this situation you may see less tears than if you stayed in the room until he falls asleep. On the other hand you may have a textbook baby that responds well to an in the room method as she has fed to sleep her whole life and enjoys the closeness and the security of a parent in the room helps the process go smoother.
